🥾 ActiveLong weekend · from Washington, DC
Rivers, Trails & Peaceful Forests
Escape into Pennsylvania's pristine wilderness where flowing rivers, ancient forests, and hidden trails reveal the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.
Day 1 — Codorus State ParkDay 2 — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical ParkDay 3 — Greenbrier State Park
Day 1 — Codorus State Park
Day 1 — Codorus State Park
🚗 2 hr 27 min driving📍 5 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Washington, DC → Codorus State Park
1 hr 50 min
Codorus State Park
★ Reviews →Rolling 3,490-acre park has Lake Marburg for fishing & boating plus hiking, hunting & camping.
~2 hrs📍 See location
🍽️
Lunch
Grillrilla
★ Reviews →A Northern Virginia barbecue spot with a menu of smoked meats that earns its strong rating from a demanding local audience. The brisket and pulled pork are both consistent.
~1 hr📍 See location
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Codorus State Park → Upper Gunpowder
17 min
Upper Gunpowder
★ Reviews →Hike rocky terrain along the Gunpowder River, crossing scenic footbridges and navigating boulder-strewn paths. Spot herons and muskrats while cooling off in emerald pools beneath cascading waterfalls.
~2.5 hrs📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Upper Gunpowder → The Avalon Ale House
20 min
🍽️ Dinner~1 hr
The Avalon Ale House
Discover a vibrant craft beer destination where expertly curated brews and live entertainment create the perfect energetic escape from the city.
2 options · tap to switch
🛏️
The Yorktowne Hotel
A 1925 landmark hotel in the heart of downtown York — the ornate lobby, the ballroom, and the recently restored guest rooms put you within walking distance of York's excellent restaurant scene and 15 minutes from Codorus State Park for the next morning's activities.
Day 2 — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Day 2 — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
🚗 2 hr 26 min driving📍 5 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Codorus State Park → Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
1 hr 37 min
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
★ Reviews →Park around the historic waterway, offering mule-drawn boat rides, natural areas & a visitor center.
~2.5 hrs📍 See location
🍽️
Lunch
🍽️ Lunch~1 hr
Rumsey Tavern
A Maryland tavern with a warm atmosphere and a menu that leans into local and seasonal ingredients. A comfortable midday stop in the Eastern Shore or Chesapeake region.
4 options · tap to switch
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park → Greenbrier State Park
22 min
Greenbrier State Park
★ Reviews →Hike to scenic mountain vistas, kayak on a tranquil reservoir, and camp among towering forests all within an hour's drive of DC.
~2 hrs📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Greenbrier State Park → Spring Mills Diner
27 min
Spring Mills Diner
★ Reviews →Experience authentic, no-frills comfort food and local character at a classic American diner that's been a roadside institution for generations.
~1 hr📍 See location
🛏️
Antrim 1844
An 1844 antebellum mansion B&B in Taneytown, Maryland — multiple rooms in the main house and in the restored plantation outbuildings, with a restaurant that has received AAA Four Diamond ratings and an award-winning wine cellar. The most elegant lodging in the western Maryland corridor between the C&O Canal and Gettysburg.
Day 3 — Greenbrier State Park
Day 3 — Greenbrier State Park
🚗 2 hr 17 min driving📍 2 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park → Greenbrier State Park
22 min
🍽️
Lunch
🚗
Drive
Greenbrier State Park → South Mountain Creamery
15 min
South Mountain Creamery
★ Reviews →A working dairy farm near Middletown, MD offering farm tours, fresh-made ice cream, and a farm market stocked with locally produced dairy, eggs, and produce. A beloved midday stop for families and outdoor enthusiasts coming off the trails.
~1 hr📍 See location
☀️
Afternoon
🚗
Drive
South Mountain Creamery → Gathland State Park
10 min
Gathland State Park
★ Reviews →Perched atop South Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, this small Civil War battlefield park features a dramatic stone war correspondents' arch, sweeping valley views, and short ridge hikes connecting to the broader AT corridor. A perfect final stretch before heading home.
~2 hrs📍 See location
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Gathland State Park → Washington, DC
1 hr 30 min
← All Washington trips
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