Captain John Smith on the Chesapeake is a big part of Bay history. Today you can follow his routes by boat, on a trail run by the National Park Service.

Quick answer: Captain John Smith on the Chesapeake explored the Bay and its rivers from 1607 to 1609, with his two main voyages in the summer of 1608. In 2006 his routes became the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the first national water trail in the U.S. It covers about 3,000 miles.

Contents

His Voyages

Smith’s first trips in 1607 were on the York and James rivers. His two big voyages came in the summer of 1608.[1]

The Water Trail

President George W. Bush signed the law for the trail on December 19, 2006. It was the first national water trail in the United States.[2] The trail follows Smith’s 1608 routes and old river routes of the Native peoples of the region.[2]

How Long Is It?

The trail covers more than 3,000 miles on the Bay and its rivers. It reaches Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and D.C.[3] It now also runs up rivers like the Susquehanna, Upper Nanticoke, Chester and Upper James.[2]

Follow the Trail

You can follow parts of the trail by boat, kayak or canoe. The Park Service site lists places to start.[3]

Frequently asked questions

When did John Smith explore the Chesapeake Bay? From 1607 to 1609; his two major voyages were in the summer of 1608.

What is the Captain John Smith trail? A national historic trail of more than 3,000 miles on the Bay and its rivers, set up in 2006.

Was it the first water trail? Yes. It was the first national water trail in the United States.

References

Find a launch spot on our Chesapeake Bay map.