Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail commemorates the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 and gets its name from our national anthem. Consisting of water and overland routes, the trail extends from Virginia, through southern Maryland closely following the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. As this trail passes by the shoreline of Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area in Charles County, Maryland, it follows the War of 1812 route of the British fleet, which chocked Washington, D.C. with shipping blockades and whose sailors ravaged the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay with frequent raids. This trail commemorates the people, events, and naval history, which inspired our national anthem. A water stop at Blue Bay provides access to the historic Chiles home site managed by the BLM in partnership with the National Park Service. There are picnic facilities at Blue Bay, which is also a trailhead for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail as it crosses Douglas Point.