Near Rison in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Join the Adventure
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Explore the places Englishman John Smith traveled in the early 1600s. Learn about the thriving American Indian communities he encountered and imagine the bountiful Chesapeake he observed. Experience the natural and cultural richness that exists in the region today.
The 3,000-mile Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail traces the exploratory voyages Smith conducted from 1607 to 1609 on the Chesapeake Bay and along several major rivers. The trail includes parks, museum sites, driving tours, and water trails that align with Smith’s historic voyage routes and offer opportunities for recreation and discovery.
Experience the Trail
• Explore rivers, coves, and open water by kayak, sailboat, or motor craft.
• Bicycle or hike along woodland trails and shoreline paths.
• Follow winding back roads through rural landscapes and historic villages.
• Visit places that celebrate American Indian heritage.
• See birds and other wildlife foraging in marshes1 waterways and forests
• Attend festivals and demonstrations, or join a guided tour.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
this page online
Location. 38° 33.526′ N, 77° 11.102′ W. Marker is near Rison, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker is on Sweden Point Road near Chicamuxen Road (Route 224). The marker is located in front of the Discovery Room building in Smallwood State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2835 Sweden Point Road, Marbury MD 20658, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (here, next to this marker); Rich Resources (here, next to this marker); Christian Temple Manor (a few steps from this marker); Explore your Chesapeake (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Smallwood's Gravesite (approx. 0.6 miles away); Smallwood's Home (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rum Point (approx. 1.7 miles away); General Joseph Hooker U.S.A. (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rison.
Also see . . .
1. Smallwood State Park. Maryland Historical Trust Architectural Survey File website entry (Submitted on June 19, 2019.)
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 18, 2019
2. Join the Adventure Marker & parking lot
2. Smallwood State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources website entry (Submitted on June 19, 2019.)
3. Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on June 19, 2019.)
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 18, 2019
3. Sweden Point Discovery Center
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 18, 2019
4. Smallwood State Park entrance sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2019. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2019. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
