FRONT ROYAL, Va. — This summer the American Discovery Trail Society (ADTS) celebrates the outdoors and 250 years of our independence with the American Discovery 250 Relay — a 6,800-mile journey along the entire American Discovery Trail from Delaware to California, starting in July and ending around Thanksgiving.

The trail includes some 43 miles from the Delaware State Line to Chesapeake Bay, with the Maryland Eastern Shore component starting in the Ringgolds Green area of Caroline County, following Hobbs Road to Denton.

From Denton, the county seat, the trail heads to Martinak State Park and privately owned Camp Mardela offers camping.

Next trek along rural, lightly traveled roads through Ridgely to Tuckahoe State Park. This 1,800-acre park has campsites and a lake for fishing. South of Queenstown is the Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area, a 2,500-acre protected area offering hiking, birding, and water-oriented activities.

At Grasonville and Stevensville you have entered Chesapeake Bay country, where you have the choice of many fine seafood restaurants. There are also motels and many fast food options.

At Stevensville arrangements must be made for a taxi or a friendly motorist to carry you across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Interested participants or teams who want to undertake a relay  on  Maryland's Eastern Shore or anywhere else along the route are asked to register at discoverytrail.org/america-250-relay. Organizers will work with registrants on their relay destinations closer to the start of the event.

The ADTS is making the turn-by-turn route instructions and GPS tracks free to the public during the 2026 year as part of the celebrations thanks to a generous donation from Indiana Trails. To access these files, visit: discoverytrail.org/route

Runners, cyclists, hikers, wheelchair users and horseback riders are all encouraged to take part. Volunteers are also needed to help with logistics, welcoming events or sponsorships.

Based in Front Royal, contact the American Discovery Trail Society at 800-663-2387 or through the website https://discoverytrail.org/contact-us for more information.