In 1634, the Ark and the Dove, two small wooden English ships, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay and arrived at St. Clement’s Island where 140 settlers stepped ashore and established the colony of Maryland.

Here, in Southern Maryland, amid the natural beauty of thick woods, colorful wildflower fields and the magnificent estuary formed by the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, the settlers established a vibrant community that reflected freedom and tolerance.

Southern Maryland is a tidewater wonderland. Gaze out at noble lighthouses, search for fossils along quiet beaches. Stroll through waterfront villages. Hike along woodland, riverside and cypress-swamp trails. Bike across wide-open spaces. If you’re a boater, you’ve found paradise. If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll be overwhelmed. The story of Maryland begins here – and so can your visit.