On May 8, 2008, the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (Trail) was designated through an amendment to the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241). The new Trail will consist of “water and overland routes totaling approximately 290 miles, extending from Tangier Island, Virginia, through southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia, in the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River, and north to the Patapsco River, and Baltimore, Maryland, commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 (including the British invasion of Washington, District of Columbia, and its associated feints, and the Battle of Baltimore in summer 1814).”
Learn more about the Trail's designating legislation (P.L. 110-229)
The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for planning, developing and maintaining the Trail in partnership with other Federal, state and local governments, landowners, volunteer groups, and residents. According to the National Trails System Act, the NPS is responsible for encouraging communities, land owners, and volunteers to participate in planning, development and maintenance of the Trail; consulting with landowners and federal, state and local agencies in administration of the Trail; and--subject to funding--providing interpretive programs and service and technical assistance to carry out preservation and development of the Trail and to provide education relating to the War of 1812.
