Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway

Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway is a 419-mile (674 km) designated scenic route that traverses the Eastern Shore of Maryland, offering an immersive journey through the nation's largest estuary. Designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2021, it connects historic waterfront towns, vast tidal marshes, and working agricultural landscapes. The byway provides a comprehensive portal to the unique culture, ecology, and history of the Chesapeake Bay region.

Route description

The byway begins in the north at Chesapeake City, Maryland, situated on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, and winds southward along a network of state highways and local roads. Its course closely follows the contours of the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries, including the Sassafras River, Chester River, Choptank River, and Nanticoke River. The route passes through the heart of Delmarva Peninsula, linking six counties: Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Dorchester, and Somerset. Key thoroughfares include sections of Maryland Route 213, Maryland Route 33, and U.S. Route 50, culminating at the southern terminus in the seafood packing hub of Crisfield, Maryland.

History

The byway's designation culminated years of advocacy by local organizations, including the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Eastern Shore Tourism Commission. It builds upon the existing Maryland Scenic Byways program and was formally recognized under the National Scenic Byways Program. The route itself traverses lands with deep historical roots, from Indigenous Piscataway and Nanticoke territories to early colonial settlements established in the 17th century. The region played significant roles in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, with towns like St. Michaels famously defending against British attack. The byway also traces areas central to the Underground Railroad, with Harriet Tubman having been born in Dorchester County, Maryland.

Major attractions

Notable sites along the byway include the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, the historic Washington College in Chestertown, and the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, Maryland. Visitors can explore the colonial architecture of Oxford and Tilghman Island, or take a ferry to Smith Island, known for its unique culture and Smith Island cake. Other highlights are the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester, and the Janes Island State Park. The byway provides access to numerous public landings, lighthouses like Drum Point Light, and festivals such as Crisfield's annual National Hard Crab Derby.

Transportation and access

Primary access to the byway corridor is provided by U.S. Route 50, which crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel to the south connects to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Regional airports include the Salisbury–Ocean City–Wicomico Regional Airport and Easton Airport. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicle travel the most practical method for exploring the full route. Key ferry services, such as the Oxford–Bellevue Ferry and the Smith Island ferries from Crisfield and Point Lookout, are integral components of the byway experience, connecting drivers to island communities.

Cultural and ecological significance

The byway traverses a living cultural landscape defined by watermen's traditions, oyster harvesting, and blue crab fisheries that supply markets like the J.M. Clayton Company in Cambridge. Ecologically, it passes through critical habitats within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including vast expanses of Spartina salt marsh that serve as nurseries for fish and feeding grounds for migratory birds like the snow goose and bald eagle. The route highlights ongoing conservation efforts by entities like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at refuges like Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. This landscape embodies the interconnectedness of the region's cultural heritage and its environmental stewardship.

Category:National Scenic Byways in the United States Category:Transportation in Maryland Category:Tourist attractions in Maryland