A tall ship sails on the water.
The PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II is a sailing ambassador for the Trail. NPS/ Tim Ervin

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Federal Recreation Area · Maryland · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
410.962.4290
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

What's here

Highlights: African American Heritage · Arts · Painting · Photography · Birthplace · Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite · Commerce · Trade · Enslavement · Farming and Agriculture · Plantations · Forts · Incarceration · Jails and Prisons · Immigration · Maritime · Coastal Defenses · Maritime - Military · Lighthouses · Piracy and Privateering · Ships and Shipwrecks · Medicine · Hospital · Migrations · Military · Infantry and Militia · Artillery · US Army · US Navy · Indigenous and Native Warrior · Battlefields · Monuments and Memorials · Music · Native American Heritage · Presidents · Religion and Spirituality · Churches · Schools and Education · Social Movements · Civil Rights · Conservation Movement · Transportation · Roads, Routes and Highways · Urban America · Wars and Conflicts · Tribal Conflicts · Colonial/European Contact Conflicts · French and Indian War · American Revolutionary War · War of 1812 · Indian and Frontier Wars · World War I · World War II · Westward Expansion · Women's History · Animals · Birds · Fish · Tortoises and Turtles · Climate Change · Coasts, Islands and Atolls · Oceans · Scenic Views · Trails · Water Trails · Unique Species · Watersheds · Headwaters · Wetlands · Marshes · Wilderness

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

Nearby parks

Parks of Maryland

Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12