Enjoy the View: Potomac Heritage Trail Network

Like others throughout the National Park System, NPS Trail office staff and partners are engaged in various projects to conduct scenic resource inventories, to evaluate the significance of viewsheds, and to identify land conservation priorities. See below for ways that you can help, and visit the NPS Air Resources page on Clean Air & Clear Views for System-wide and park information.

 

Kayaks on the shores of the Potomac River with scenic views of the river and treeline.

Photo Copyright by Dom J Manalo.

Scenic Viewpoints

The viewpoints below have been compiled with the help of various PHT network partners over the past few years. The term "viewpoint" defines a specific place from which PHT users can experience natural beauty or some type of cultural significance and is worthy of conservation. Click on a PHT region or segment below to see a drop-down list.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

Check out these scenic views along the LHHT! Is there a viewpoint missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know by clicking on contact us.

Name of Scenic Viewpoint	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Center Bearing
LHHT 1 (overlooking the Youghiogheny)	Mile 2.5	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT (overlooking the Youghiogheny)	Mile 4	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 3	Mile 8	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 4	Mile 9	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 5	Mile 21.5	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 6	Mile 29	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 7	Mile 30 (near PA Route 31 trailhead)	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 8	Mile 38.5 (near PA Turnpike shelter area)	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 9	Mile 61.0	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 10	Mile 62.5	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 11 (across Conemaugh Valley)	Mile 66.7	N/A	N/A	N/A
LHHT 12 (n. across Conemaugh Gorge)	Mile 67.5

Note: Locations are approximate; please use caution and observe all regulations.

Great Allegheny Passage

Check out these scenic views along the GAP Trail! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Central Bearing
Bridges over the Youghiogheny River	Ohiopyle, PA	N/A	N/A;	N/A
Turkeyfoot Overlook	Mile 62, Confluence PA	N/A	N/A	N/A
Salisbury Viaduct	Mile 33.5, near Meyersdale, PA	39.8341561	-79.0477227	360°
Big Savage View	Mile 22, SE entrance of Big Savage Tunnel	39.7454349	-78.8965415,14	South East

There is also a scenic view along the Eastern Continental Divide Loop at High Rocks along the Meadow Mountain Trail looking toward Big Savage Mountain.

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath

Check out these scenic views along the C&O Canal! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Central Bearing *
Canal Plaza Place (terminus)	Mile 184.5 Cumberland, MD	39.649658	78.7639392,260	360°
Paw Paw Bends View	Mile 156-157, Lat/Long is for SW trailhead	39.550448	78.463064	South
Paw Paw Western Maryland Railroad Bridge View	Mile 156 (on banks of Potomac)	39.545329	78.461149	Northwest
View of Maryland Heights;"The Point"	Mile 60.8 Harpers Ferry,WV	39.322977	-77.728573	360°
Jefferson Rock	Harpers Ferry, WV	39.3223604	-77.73342	South-south-west
Big Slackwater (boat ramp)	Mile 85,Sharpsburg, MD	39.5007252	-77.8473884	Southwest
Point of Rocks	Mile 48.2	N/A	N/A	N/A
Monocacy Aqueduct	Mile 42	39.223950	-77.452192	360°
Whites Ferry	Mile 35.5, Dickerson MD	39.154645	-77.519681	West
Great Falls Overlook	Great Falls, Maryland	38.997339	-77.2513691	West, Northwest
Mile Marker 0 SE of Thompson Boat Center	Mile 0, at mouth of Rock Creek	38.899927	-77.057562	Southwest

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Virginia and DC

Check out these scenic views along the Northern Viriginia and DC region! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Central Bearing
Great Falls View	River Trail in Great Falls Park, McLean, Virginia	38.9963876	-77.2540841	West
Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (near Turtle Run fork)	Leesburg, Catoctin, VA	N/A	N/A	West
Views of National Monuments over the Potomac	Mount Vernon Trail, MD, VA, DC	N/A	N/A	N/A
Arlington House View of Fort Circle	Arlington House, Fort Myer, VA	38.8782284	77.0739277	360°
Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge	Washington DC (Lat/Long is Approx)	38.792905	-77.033521	360°
Portico Potomac View	George Washington's Mount Vernon, VA	38.707885	-77.0862793	Southeast
Deephole Point, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge	Woodbridge, VA	38.637914	-77.228275	Southeast
Veteran's Memorial Park View	Woodbridge, VA	38.644171	-77.247338	West
Winter View at Rippon Lodge	Woodbridge, VA	N/A	N/A	N/A
Chatham Manor	Fredericksburg, VA	N/A	N/A	West

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Southern Maryland

Check out these scenic views in the Southern Maryland and DC area! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Central Bearing
Piscataway Park Lookout towards Mount Vernon	Accoceek Foundation, MD	38.695858	-77.065961	Northwest
Chapel Point Overlook	Chapel Point Cemetery, MD	N/A	N/A	Northwest
Port Tobacco Creek Views	Port Tobacco Historic District, MD	N/A	N/A	360°
McIntosh Run and Breton Bay View	Leonardtown Wharf Park, MD	38.286201	-76.638799	Southwest
Chancellor's Point	Historic St. Mary's City, MD	38.169412	-76.440839	West

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Northern Neck of Virginia

Check out these scenic views in the Northern Neck of Virginia! Is there a scenic view missing? Can you provide us with missing data, such as coordinates? Let us know at [e-mail]

Name of Scenic View	Location (approx.)	Latitude	Longitude	Central Bearing
Caledon State Park Shoreline	King George, VA	38.348622	-77.157668	Northwest
Horsehead Cliffs	Westmoreland State Park, Montross, VA	38.172525	-76.875328	Northeast
George Washington Birthplace of Popes Creek	Colonial Beach, VA	38.185881	-76.916267	Northeast
Stratford Hall View	Stratford, VA	38.1519269	-76.841643	East
Kinsale Historic Distric Harbor	Kinsale, VA	38.0302518	-76.5769272	Northeast
Sunnybank Ferry North Dock	Heathsville, VA	37.890760	-76.269722	Northwest
Smiths Point at Chesapeake Bay	Smiths Point, VA	N/A	N/A	360°
Reedville Historic District	Reedville, VA	N/A	N/A	360°

Note: some of these coordinates are approximate, and caution, and observance to all rules and regulations should be followed while pursuing these viewpoints.

Send us your suggestions!

Do you have a favorite viewpoint or viewshed you would like to see preserved along the PHT network? We would appreciate your comments, feedback and photos. Click on Contact us to tell us what you feel are the most important viewpoints and/or viewsheds associated with the PHT network. You can also tag us in pictures of your favorite viewsheds via Instagram at @potomacheritagetrail.