Trail Map

To explore the Potomac Heritage Trail, follow the cart path past the Golf Club at Lansdowne, following signs to Bazil Newman Waterfront Park (formerly Elizabeth Mills Park). Walking left (north) will take you to Goose Creek. Walking right (south) will lead you past Selden Island and eventually connect to Bles Park and Broad Run (2.1 miles).

Located off the banks of the Potomac, you’ll find the 408-acre Selden Island. This land is home to the Walker Prehistoric Village Archeological site, an area discovered to have had human activity dating back to the Woodland Period (1000 B.C.). Excavations during the late 1930’s discovered evidence of housing, pottery and fencing all indicitive of this time period.

Following the Potomac River northbound will lead you to the 54-mile long tributary, Goose Creek. Here you’ll see the rapids, rocks and wildlife that is home to the Potomac. During the 1800’s, a system of locks and dams were constructed for easy navigation along the creek. Many of these were destroyed during the American Civil War, but the ruins remain and are visible from the trail.