The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a local land trust located in Calvert County, Maryland, an hour's drive from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. We invite you to explore ACLT's self-guided hiking trails on your own, join one of our guided canoe trips, or attend one of the activities included in our Calendar of Events to experience our beautiful 3,000-acre preserved area for yourself. We also invite you to get involved in protecting the most pristine watershed on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay by volunteering and becoming a member of the land trust.
ACLT is a nonprofit land conservation organization in Calvert County, Maryland. Originally founded in 1986 to save a small parcel of land containing the state's largest American Chestnut tree, today we have grown to a 3,000 acre preserved area surrounding the beautiful watersheds of Parkers Creek and Governors Run along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
Find out how you can explore ACLT lands by foot or canoe and how you can get involved in ACLT's dynamic community of members and volunteers connecting people with the land.
Next on the Calendar
Guided Canoe Trip - Sat., Jun 22, 2013
*This trip is currently full. Accepting wait-list additions only.* Enjoy a scenic tour of Parkers Creek from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Rain date on Sunday, June 23.
See News and Calendar for details.
Important Trail Closings and Cautions:
Warning North Side Trail Closings : White-Tail Deer Hunting Season
The North Side Hiking Trails will be closed for Early Muzzle Loader Season (October 18-October 27) and Late Muzzle Loaded Season (December 15-December 29) -- Trails will remain open on Sundays.
The North Side Trails will be closed for Firearms Season from November 24 - December 8, January 4-January 5. -- Trails will remain open on Sundays.
The South Side Trails in Port Republic, MD are open for Hiking 365 days per year from Dawn to Dusk.
The South Side Trail system is subject to bow hunting. The Bow Hunting season extends from September 7 - October 17, October 22 - November 23, December 31 - January 3, January 7 - January 31.
South Side Trails will remain open throughout the bow hunting season
Directions to the South Side Trailhead: Go 4 miles south on Solomons Island Road (Routes 2/4) from the intersection of Hallowing Point Road (Route 231) in Prince Frederick. Turn left on Parkers Creek Road, cross Route 765 and turn right onto Scientists Cliffs Road. Drive .8 miles to the ACLT parking lot on the left. A South Side Trails Map can be printed out here. Trail maps are also available at the sign in box at the ACLT Barn.
Directions to North Side Trailhead: From the intersection of Route 2/4 and Route 231 in Prince Frederick: Head north on Route 2/4; right on Route 402 (Dares Beach Road); right on Double Oak Road; left on gravel lane at ACLT sign; drive .3 miles to trailhead
Additional trail information
