Special Event: Fall Hike and Paddle

Fall Hike and Paddle to Celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act: Potomac Heritage Trail Event at Fort Belvoir, VA

What: Join us for a guided 2 mile nature and history hike at Fort Belvoir, and optional paddling tour along Accotink and Pohick Bays. This pilot program will test a potential link in the Potomac Heritage Trail network!
When: Tuesday, October 30^th (rain or shine) from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sign up: RSVPs are required to attend and space is limited to 25 people. Sign up by October 25, 2018

RSVP to Attend

What you’ll need:

• Bring Your ID: A valid driver’s license (or military ID) is required for each individual ages 16 and older. Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult carrying a valid ID. Adults without a valid ID will not be able to access the base for the tour.
• Dress appropriately: Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Bring payment (cash or card): to rent a canoe or kayak at the Outdoor Recreation Center.

	Kayak	Canoe
DOD user	$10	$15
Non-DOD user	$25	$30

• Or, bring your own kayak/canoe and required life jacket: Stage your kayak/canoe at the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center parking lot by 12:30 p.m.

Schedule:
12:30 p.m.: Arrive at Fort Belvoir’s Tulley Gate to be processed through security screening inside the Visitors Center. This may take 10-30 minutes based on visitor demand. Please plan time accordingly to reach the tour guide inside the gate by 1:00pm. Car and bicycle parking is available at Tulley Gate.
1:00 p.m.: Meet the partnership team and tour guide at Tulley Gate. Depart for a guided 1-mile hike, approximately 1.5 hours.
​2:30 p.m.: Arrive at the Outdoor Recreation Center. Participants that do not wish to paddle can remain on the shore. Proceed to the Outdoor Recreation Center to rent canoes and kayaks and depart for paddling. 
5:00 p.m.: Meet at the Outdoor Recreation Center to return canoes and kayaks and depart for return hike.
6:30 p.m.:  Hike 1 mile back to Tulley Gate, and return to cars and bicycles.

Route Map

Want to see more of the proposed Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail?  You can explore an additional section from Tulley Gate to Grist Mill Park on your own by bike (30 minutes) or hiking (approximately 1.5 hours). Stop and tour George Washington’s Grist Mill and Distillery along the way. Click here for more information and directions: https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/distillery-gristmill/

Partners:  This event is provided to you through a partnership among USAG Fort Belvoir, the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Park Service, and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.
 
Background: In celebration of the National Trails System Act 50^th Anniversary, the partners are testing a seasonal event at Fort Belvoir to fill a gap in the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network. This event tests an option set forth in NCPC’s 2017 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Final Draft Feasibility Study.
More information about the National Trails System Act is available at:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/trails-50th.htm
More information about the Potomac Heritage National Scenic trail is available at:
https://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm

Space Limit: Space is limited to 25 people in order to facilitate entrance onto the military base and to enhance the user experience on the guided tour. Once the limit is reached, interested participants will be placed on a waitlist for the next available tour (tentatively spring 2019).