Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
DC,MD,PA,VA

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Hours

Open 24 hours

Entrance Fee

Free

Trailie

Trailie

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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
Multi-day (visit in segments)
Don't miss
Volunteer to complete the PHT in Northern Virginia
Nearby city
Williamsport, MD

Explore this park

About Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!

1 current NPS alert

  • Park Closure: Trail Detour at Glover Archbold Trail at Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC)

Source: National Park Service (as of Oct 27, 2026). Official Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail page on nps.gov

Weather Information

Weather associated with the PHT network is typical of a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons and variable precipitation throughout the year. Temperatures can vary from a high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Summer

    to 0 degrees

in the winter.

Operating Hours

Always open

The Trail is open year-round, weather permitting. Our partners who manage specific sections of the trails may have seasonal openings and closings. Please refer to our Operating Hours & Seasons page for more information.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

Common questions

Planning Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.