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National Park Service

Chesapeake Bay

Plan a Chesapeake Bay trip

About Chesapeake Bay

Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and through Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service strives to connect people to the opportunities and adventures throughout the watershed. Inspiring stewardship across this vast region supports recreation, business, tourism, learning, and a thriving natural resource for all to enjoy.

From the National Park Service.

States
District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
Designation
National Park
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Chesapeake Bay.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

NPS Chesapeake Bay Office Hours

Mon
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Tue
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Wed
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Thu
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Fri
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed

All Park Hours above refers to the core hours the Chesapeake Bay Program Office is open. This program office manages the National Park Service's responsibilities under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and the Chesapeake Gateways & Water Trails Network. The office core hours are from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. The office is closed on federal holidays. Quite frequently, the office is open for business at least one hour earlier and one hour later than core hours.

Weather and when to go

Annapolis, Maryland has a warm humid temperate climate with hot summers and no dry season. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 29°F to 86°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 91°F. The warm season lasts from May 30 to September 18 with an average daily high temperature above 77°F. The cold season lasts from November 29 to March 4 with an average daily high temperature below 50°F.

Getting there

The Chesapeake Bay office is located off of Aris T. Allen Blvd in Annapolis, Maryland. Traveling east on Route 50, take the exit towards Riva road and 665, Aris T. Allen Blvd. Continue on 665 to Forest drive. Our office is on the left through the first light, across from the Safeway.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
1750 Forest Drive, Suite 140, Annapolis, MD 21401
Official site
nps.gov/cbpo

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Chesapeake Bay

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Chesapeake Bay

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind

    Boat Tour · about 2 hours · Reservation required

    Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind offers two-hour public sailing experiences aboard classic schooners on the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors help raise sails, steer, and learn…

  • Rappahannock Adventures

    Kayaking · about 3.7 hours · Reservation required

    Rappahannock Adventures offers guided paddling, fishing, birding, hiking, and biking experiences on Virginia's Middle Peninsula. Visitors explore the Rappahannock River and surrou…

  • Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows

    Biking · about 3.3 hours

    The Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows Bikepacking Route is a 300-mile cycling experience that connects eight memorials honoring displaced Blue Ridge communities. Riders explore scenic mo…

  • Historic 1935 Lady Patty Sailing Charter

    Sailing · about 3.7 hours · Reservation required

    St. Michaels Sailing Charters offers authentic sailing experiences aboard the Historic 1935 Lady Patty Sailing Charter, a restored 1935 wooden ketch departing from St. Michaels, M…

  • Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters

    Sailing · about 3.7 hours · Reservation required

    Catamaran Epiphany Sailing Charters offers small group sailing experiences from St. Michaels, Maryland. Guests explore the Miles River and Chesapeake Bay while learning about mari…

  • Chronic Sailing

    Boating · about 4.7 hours · Reservation required

    Step aboard a sailboat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Chronic Sailing offers hands-on sailing experiences from Annapolis that showcase scenic coves, lighthouses, and maritime hist…

  • Paddle the Sassafras River Water Trail

    Paddling · about 45 min

    The Sassafras River Water Trail is a 22 mile-long route located in the Upper region of the Chesapeake Bay. The river trail offers several options for paddle trips in beautiful lan…

  • Bay Venture Outfitters, North East, MD

    Boating · about 2 hours · Reservation required

    Bay Venture Outfitters in North East, Maryland offers kayak and paddleboard access to the North East River and nearby wetlands. Visitors explore upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries t…

  • Riverside Adventure Company Outfitter

    Kayaking · about 1.7 hours · Reservation required

    Riverside Adventure Company in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania offers paddling and cycling experiences along the Susquehanna River. Visitors explore watershed landscapes, Indigenous he…

What to pack for Chesapeake Bay

Gear & Essentials

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The basics

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