A red canoe sits on the shore of Lake Vermilion in tall green grass next to pine trees. Additional pine trees are across the lake. The sky is blue with large white clouds.

Eastern States Recreation

The BLM manages parks and activities for fun and recreation in the Eastern States to achieve two main goals. First, we want to help communities and families stay healthy and enjoy economic benefits by encouraging people to spend time outside. Second, we work with other organizations that provide similar services so we can better help the people who use our sites.

Our sites give access to water activities like swimming and boating, from the beaches along the northern Gulf Coast to the shores of Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. We also manage many public islands on rivers and lakes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Additionally, the BLM Eastern States has popular trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

We partner with businesses, local governments, and organizations that share our goal of encouraging families and communities to go outside, have fun, and enjoy nature.

In northern Palm Beach County on Florida’s urbanized Treasure Coast lies the 120-acre Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA).
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
In northern Palm Beach County on Florida’s urbanized Treasure Coast lies the 120-acre Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA).
A red lighthouse stands next to a body of water at sunset.
The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area is located approximately 25 miles south of Washington D.C., on the Mason Neck peninsula.
Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area
The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area is located approximately 25 miles south of Washington D.C., on the Mason Neck peninsula.
Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area
The Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Charles County, Maryland, offers fantastic opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fossil collecting, and relaxing along the shore.
Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area
The Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Charles County, Maryland, offers fantastic opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fossil collecting, and relaxing along the shore.
Sunset behind a tree with exposed roots on a beach
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lower Potomac Field Station (LPFS) is located on Mason Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Lower Potomac Field Station
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lower Potomac Field Station (LPFS) is located on Mason Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Lower Potomac Field Station office building with sign
Journey through early American history and walk in the footsteps of our nation’s founding fathers as you explore the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (WRRRNHT).
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
Journey through early American history and walk in the footsteps of our nation’s founding fathers as you explore the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (WRRRNHT).
NationalScenicTrail_ES_.WashingtonRochambeau
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is a series of water routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary.
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is a series of water routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary.
NationalScenicTrail_ES_CaptainJohnSmithChesapeake