Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (U.S. National Park Service)

QUICKLINKS:

Overview

First thoughts of the Chesapeake Bay often bring up images of crabs and oysters. But, as the largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay has touched and influenced much of the American story – early settlement, commerce, the military, transportation, recreation and more. The Bay and its surrounding 64,000 square mile watershed hold a treasure trove of historic areas, natural wonders and recreational opportunities.

Experience the diversity of the Chesapeake Bay through the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network – a system of over 150 parks, refuges, museums, historic communities and water trails in the Bay watershed. Each of these sites tells a piece of the vast Chesapeake story. For a comprehensive guide to the Gateways Network, visit the Gateways website.

The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network is coordinated by the National Park Service, which also manages about 10 of the Network’s sites. Other Gateways are managed by local, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Captain John Smith's Chesapeake Voyages

The story of John Smith's expeditions around the Chesapeake has become the stuff of legend, lore, and intensive research by scholars. Learn about Smith, his voyages, the boat he used and where to explore and learn about his explorations.

Write to

410 Severn Avenue
Suite 109
Annapolis, Maryland 21403

Phone

Maryland Tourism Information
(888) 229-9297

Virginia Tourism Information
(888) 824-5877

Fax

(410) 267-5777

Climate

The weather in the Bay watershed ranges from warm, humid summer days to crisp fall days to cold, snowy winter days. The Bay watershed stretches over 64,000 square miles, from New York down to southern Virginia. Therefore, weather can vary greatly from Gateway site to Gateway site.