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A tall ship sails on the water.
Image of a large historic house with green lawn in foreground.
A close-up of the White House portico.
A person in a yellow kayak paddles through lotus blossoms.
People in 18th century period clothing standing in a line and firing muskets.
National Historic Trail

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Maryland•Virginia•Washington D.C.

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Baltimore, MD
📞
Visitor Center
410.962.4290
⭐

Expert Verdict & Insider Tips

⭐ **My Rating: 4.7/5** **The Vibe**: Scenic and educational, perfect for a quick day trip. **Insider Advice**: * Visit mid-week or early in the morning to enjoy the quietest views. Weekend afternoons can get busy near the main visitor centers. * Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes. Some paths are unpaved and have loose gravel. * Stop by the visitor center first to grab a physical map and ask park rangers about current trail conditions.

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a hidden gem located in Maryland and Virginia and DC. While many tourists flock to the major parks, this national historic trail offers a much more peaceful and intimate experience with nature. It is preserved for its unique history, diverse habitats, and local significance.

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About Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a national historic trail located in Maryland and Virginia and Washington D.C.. The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is made up of parks, museums, outdoor trails, and waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Weather can effect the hours of operation and access points to many sites along the trail. Exercise caution when exploring the trail outdoors. Dress appropriately for seasonal conditions such as heat, snow, and ice. Parks, museums, and visitor centers may be impacted by weather conditions year round. Please call ahead to your planned trail stop for updates on

The Trail's headquarters is at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The park is three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and just off I-95. Follow the brown Fort McHenry directional signs along all major routes to the park. From I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway and follow Fort McHenry signs. To visit other trail locations, download a trail map.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Star-Spangled Banner is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Live Music, Biking, and 37 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Arts and Culture
✅ Cultural Demonstrations
✅ Live Music
✅ Biking
✅ Mountain Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Boating
✅ Sailing
✅ Camping Guide →✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping Guide →✅ Car or Front Country Camping Guide →✅ RV Camping Guide →
✅ Compass and GPS
✅ Geocaching
✅ Fishing Guide →✅ Freshwater Fishing Guide →✅ Fly Fishing Guide →✅ Saltwater Fishing Guide →
✅ Food
✅ Dining
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Walking Guide →
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Auto
✅ Hiking Guide →✅ Front-Country Hiking Guide →
✅ Living History
✅ Reenactments
✅ Historic Weapons Demonstration
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping Guide →
✅ Kayaking
✅ Stand Up Paddleboarding
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Wildlife Watching Guide →✅ Birdwatching Guide →
✅ Park Film
✅ Museum Exhibits
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Star-Spangled Banner

0 of 12 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

🛒 Shop
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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Star-Spangled Banner

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Star-Spangled Banner before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Star-Spangled Banner. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Star-Spangled Banner get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Star-Spangled Banner. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a collection of sites impacted by the War of 1812. These local, historic sites tell the story of the Chesapeake Campaign, culminating in the writing of our National Anthem. In addition to their historic significance, many of the sites along the trail are fantastic places to go for a walk, explore the outdoors, and access local waterways.

Seasonal Visitor Guides

🌸
spring Guide
☀️
summer Guide
🍂
fall Guide
❄️
winter Guide

Frequently Asked Questions about Star-Spangled Banner

The entrance fee for Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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