Who says you need to be on the water to experience the Chesapeake?
The Chesapeake Bay watershed -- the area of land that drains to the Bay -- spans across 64,000 square miles, starting at the upper reaches of the Susquehanna River in Cooperstown, New York and stretching all the way to the marshy shores of Tidewater Virginia.
With all that land to explore, there are plenty of adventures awaiting you.
From the rocky Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia to the Eastern Shore’s sandy beaches, the Chesapeake region offers countless places where you can discover the outdoors.
Take a hike on a trail and walk in the footsteps of Native Americans. Bike for miles down a country road, stopping at a park to watch birds fly through the sky. Search for fossils on a beach, or pitch a tent and camp under the stars.
Whether you enjoy biking, hunting, horseback riding, or geocaching, there’s plenty to explore on the land. Check out the places and events below for an outdoor adventure near you.
Special geocaches have been hidden at 60 beautiful places on eight Chesapeake rivers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. When you discover a geocache, record the secret code word in the official passport for the Find Your Chesapeake GeoTour®. Collect 20 geocaches and code words and you’ll earn the limited edition, trackable, geocoin!
Hike, bike, or walk along these longer distance trails around the Chesapeake.
Image credit: Will Parson / Chesapeake Bay Program