Explore Indigenous American History Through Scenic Sites in Mountain Maryland

Some of Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland’s greatest assets are the scenic landscapes that provided life and shelter to the people who first called this land home. From ancient trails and natural landmarks to cultural sites, Allegany County is dotted with places where you can explore the Indigenous heritage that once shaped the region. Here are some must-visit locations that offer a glimpse into this important history.

1. C&O Canal National Historical Park and Potomac River

The C&O Canal National Historical Park, stretching along the Potomac River, is one of the most significant Indigenous historical sites in Allegany County. Long before it became a canal for transporting goods, the Potomac River served as a vital waterway for Indigenous tribes, providing a vital food source and fertile lands. The river and surrounding areas were major routes for travel and trade, connecting tribal communities and facilitating commerce. Explore the towpath to experience views and landscapes that Indigenous groups like the Shawnee and Susquehannock once traversed as well as the natural resources that sustained them. 

2. Town Creek and Green Ridge State Forest

If you're looking for an immersive experience in Indigenous history and natural beauty, Town Creek and Green Ridge State Forest should be on your list. Archeological evidence indicates that these areas served as seasonal hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds for local tribes due to the abundance of resources.

Today, Green Ridge State Forest provides visitors with miles of trails, scenic overlooks, and waterways that reflect the natural abundance Indigenous groups relied upon. Explore the Green Ridge Self-Guided Driving Tour to explore overlooks and culturally significant points of interest throughout the forest. 

3. National Road Scenic Byway

One of the most remarkable figures in Maryland's Indigenous history is Chief Nemacolin of the Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) tribe. In the 1750s, he partnered with Maryland settler Thomas Cresap to create Nemacolin’s Path—a widened and improved Indigenous trail from Cumberland, Maryland, to the Monongahela River near present-day Brownsville, Pennsylvania. This trail would later influence the development of the National Road, America’s first federally funded highway and a key route for westward exploration.

Nemacolin’s Path illustrates the cooperation between Indigenous communities and European settlers in shaping early American infrastructure. The path became a critical route for trade and migration, even serving British forces during the French and Indian War as they advanced toward Fort Duquesne. Today, Cumberland is a gateway to this historical route, and exploring the Historic National Road Scenic Byway gives travelers a sense of the trail’s historic role in linking communities.

4. The Narrows

Follow routes 40 and 36 out of Cumberland, Maryland, and you will be met with the scenic passage through The Narrows, a breathtaking natural pass where Wills Mountain and Haystack Mountain meet, creating one of Allegany County’s most striking geographical features of a rocky quartzite cliffside shadowing Wills Creek. This gap was more than just a scenic landmark—it was a crucial travel route for Indigenous tribes.

For centuries, the Narrows was a strategic corridor through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting communities and facilitating trade. The paths that wove through the Narrows were essential to the movement of goods, ideas, and culture among various tribes, linking Allegany County to regions far beyond. The landscape’s natural beauty and historical significance make it an inspiring destination for travelers who want to appreciate its role in Indigenous American history.

5. Rocky Gap State Park

Rocky Gap State Park is a popular recreation park that holds a legacy of Indigenous American history. The area around Lake Habeeb has revealed archaeological evidence of early Indigenous habitation, and its natural environment made it an ideal site for seasonal settlement and resource gathering.

Visitors can enjoy the park’s beautiful lake, scenic trails, and forested areas while exploring the park's natural features, such as the mile-long gorge that provided rock shelters for lodging to the Indigenous tribes that used the land.  

6. Dans Mountain State Park

Dans Mountain holds historical significance as traditional hunting and gathering grounds for various tribes, including the Shawnee and Susquehannock. Its forested slopes provided ample game and resources that sustained Indigenous groups for centuries. The mountain also served as a vantage point, offering clear views of the surrounding lands and a way to observe wildlife and navigate seasonal changes. It is said that Dans Mountain is named after Daniel Cresap, one of Allegany County’s first settlers, who befriended local tribes and often hunted and explored the mountain with Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) Chief Nemacolin. 

Today, Dans Mountain is a state park and wildlife management area, perfect for those who enjoy hiking and nature. Visiting this site provides a chance to appreciate the natural resources that Indigenous people once depended on and managed with care. Standing on the mountain, you can imagine what it must have felt like for early inhabitants who thrived on its slopes.

7. Allegany County Museum

After exploring the many scenic sites in Allegany County, consider a visit to the Allegany Museum to examine the exhibits that feature Indigenous artifacts and archaeological finds from Allegany County, providing insights into the life and culture of the area's early inhabitants.

Artifacts on display include items used for hunting, gathering, and daily life, illuminating the culture and craftsmanship of the Indigenous peoples who once thrived here. The museum also offers information on significant figures, such as Chief Nemacolin, the Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) leader who played a key role in creating trade routes that shaped early Maryland.

Allegany County’s natural beauty is deeply intertwined with the history of its Indigenous inhabitants. Visiting these sites offers more than just a scenic trip; it provides a meaningful way to connect with the landscapes that Indigenous communities once inhabited and cared for. Exploring Allegany County with this history in mind brings a new depth to its forests, mountains, rivers, and trails, honoring the stories of those who first called this land home. Whether you're hiking along ancient paths, reflecting at historical landmarks, or enjoying the local art scene, you’re stepping into a region that has been rich with life and culture for thousands of years.