Area Occupied: 59.3 acres (24.0 hectares)
Where to See It
This community is not very common at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP), but here’s a good place to see a large stand:
1) along the southwestern section of the Stone Fort Loop Trail (blue blaze) on Maryland Heights. When you reach the interpretive sign called “Making a Mountain Citadel,” the Chestnut Oak Forest is above (east of) the trail, and the Dry-Mesic Chestnut Oak – Northern Red Oak Forest is below (west of) the trail. As the trail climbs, you’ll see the Chestnut Oak Forest on both sides of the trail for a short distance.
Map tip: To better see where this occurs, go to the interactive map of Harpers Ferry NHP and search for "chestnut oak forest."