Chapman Forest On the Potomac, near the Nation's Capital — expansive, unspoiled nature and history —

Nature and history walks are an important part of the Chapman Forest experience. These follow in the steps of Henry David Thoreau's Walking, his extended essay celebrating the observation of nature on foot. It is here he famously concluded "In Wildness is the preservation of the world." Self-guided walks are shown on the map. Guided walks are also held during Open Houses and at other pre-arranged times (check calendar).

Why Footpaths and not Trails?

We are trying to preserve the wildness that surrounds deeply wooded habitats, forest, interior, and umtouched stream edges but still allow visitors to really get in there and see the forest. Footpaths enable both simultaneously. The word trails often implies larger, sometime paved, paths designed for walking side by side, horses, bikes, ATVs, and other modes of transportation. We don't have those kinds of paths here at Chapman Forest. Out footpaths are narrow, pre-worn routes that are sized for single file walking. They allow a most intimate experience with the forest and its inhabitants. They also preserve the rare breeds of plants and animals so they will hopefully exist here well beyond our lifetime.

Forest Friendly "Walking"

• Walk in single file unless you are on a clearly wider part of the footpath (such as the old road to the river)
• Do not bring your dog or other animal on a walk with you - sensitive plants and beautiful woodland wildflowers get trampled since dogs do not tend to stay on the path or walk in single file
• Do not remove debris or other things that cross the footpath (including tree branches and fallen trees) - but you can inform the Trail Committee if there is something large which you feel should be removed.
• Stay on the path so you don't stomp on endangered species, spread seeds from invasive plants, or damage some animal's home or food source

Potomac River Walk

This walk joins the original Chapmans Landing Road to the River. You may begin this walk from either (a) the left side of Mt. Aventine (as you approach from the entrance road) or (b) by taking the old road when makes a left split off of the entrance road (there is a bench on the left at this location). The road roughly marks the boundary between a dry sandy coastal woodland to the northeast (with many Southern Red Oaks) and the richer, moister forest to the southwest, where the Red Oak yields to its cousin Pagoda Oak. On your walk, look for the native cactus which grow in the sandy soil. The Potomac River here is freshwater, but tidal, a relatively uncommon aquatic habitat. Once you are almost to the river, the first left hand path takes you to Chapman Point, the site of the Chapman's famous fishery. Look for remnants of once vast beds of submerged aquatic vegetation during the growing season and native freshwater mussel shells washed onto the shore at all times. The U.S. hosts a great majority of all freshwater mussel species, which are one of the most endangered groups worldwide. Also, keep a lookout for great blue herons, ospreys, eagles, and waterfowl. To return to Mt. Aventine, simply retrace your steps along the the old road.

Marsh Walk

This route tees off of the Potomac River Walk and meanders to a rich bottomland woods that contrasts with the sandier woodland near the Potomac. April especially finds many wildflowers within sight of the footpath. These may include mixed beds of Dutchman's Breeches, Spring Beauties, and Cutleaf Toothwort. This walk leads to an unusual scrub-shrub marsh separated from the Potomac River by a narrow sand spit. The marsh is home to eagles, an abundance of water-dependent birds (the trill of Redwing Blackbirds is common), frogs, toads, and rare plants. Showy hibiscus blooms here in midsummer and watermeal, a duckweed said to be the world's smallest flowering plant, floats on the surface all growing season.