C&O Canal NHP Homepage

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
National Historical Park

C&O Canal National Historical Park is a "Trash Free Park." Please Plan on taking your trash with you when you leave.

View the C&O Canal Flood Recovery Facts

The C&O Canal follows the route of the Potomac River for 184.5 miles from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD. The canal operated from 1828-1924 as a transportation route, primarily hauling coal from western Maryland to the port of Georgetown in Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of original structures, including locks, lockhouses, and aqueducts, serve as reminders of the canal's role as a transportation system during the Canal Era. In addition, the canal's towpath provides a nearly level, continuous trail through the spectacular scenery of the Potomac River Valley. Every year millions of visitors come to hike or bike the C&O Canal in order to enjoy the natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities available.

Visit our Expanded Home Page

VISITATION:

The park receives approximately four million visitors a year. The peak season is from May through October. Weekends in the spring and fall are especially busy. Most of the annual visitation is concentrated in the first 14 miles of the canal (from Georgetown to Great Falls). Solitude and quiet are easily found in the upper areas of the canal much of the year.

LOCATION:

The canal follows the route of the Potomac River for 184.5 miles, from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD. Various access points are located on park maps.

ADDRESS:

C&O Canal NHP Headquarters
Box 4
Sharpsburg, MD 21782

TELEPHONE:

(301)739-4200

OPERATING HOURS:

The park is open all daylight hours. Some of the park's five visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule.

Georgetown: 1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, Washington, DC 20007 (202)653-5190

Great Falls Tavern: 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854 (301)299-3613

Williamsport: 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 (301)582-0813

Hancock: 326 E. Main St., Hancock, MD 21750 (301)678-5463

Western Maryland Station: Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502 (301)722-8226

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer is generally hot and very humid. Winter is usually cold with variable precipitation. Spring and fall are usually mild and pleasant, although wearing layers of clothing is recommended. Good walking shoes are essential.

DIRECTIONS:

Various sections of the canal can be reached via Routes I-495, I-70, and I-68. Please see a park map or contact a visitor center for specific directions.

TRANSPORTATION:

Amtrak's Capital Limited services the following points along the canal-Washington, D.C., Harpers Ferry, WV, and Cumberland, MD. Bicycle rentals are available in Washington, D.C., Williamsport, MD, Shepherdstown, WV and Cumberland, MD.

FEES, COSTS RATES:

There is an entrance fee at the Great Falls area of the canal. It costs $4.00 per vehicle for a three day pass, and $15.00 for an annual pass. Cyclists and walkers pay $2.00. Golden Age, Golden Eagle, and Golden Access passes are honored. Commercial vehicle fees are: 1-6 people-$30.00, 7-25 people-$45.00, over 25 people-$100.00.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Centers/Exhibits: Visitor centers are located at Georgetown, Great Falls, Williamsport, Hancock, and Cumberland.
Mule-drawn Canal Boat Rides: Rides are available at Georgetown and Great Falls. Park rangers in period clothing present living history programs aboard mule-drawn canal boats. Visitors ride through a lift-lock and along a mile stretch of the canal. Call either location for times or to make group reservations.
Trails: The canal towpath is maintained as a 184.5 mile long hiking/ biking trail. There are additional hiking trails at Great Falls including the Gold Mine trail, the River trail, and the nationally known Billy Goat Trail. There is a handicapped accessible walkway from the towpath to an overlook of the Great Falls of the Potomac. There is also a trail over the top of the Paw Paw Tunnel.
Biking: Bicycle riding is permitted on the towpath, but not on park trails. The surface is generally 12' wide and made of packed dirt and gravel. The condition varies from excellent to rough due to tree roots, rocks, chuckholes, and weather conditions. Avoid using the towpath for at least two days after heavy rains. Check with a visitor center for closed areas or detours. Bicyclists should yield right of way to pedestrians and horses. Sound devices are required to warn those ahead of your approach. Individuals should carry tools and materials for repairing flat tires, broken chains, and spokes.
Programs, Activities: Ranger-led walks, talks, and bicycle rides are presented throughout the year. Canal boat rides are offered from April through October. Educational programs for schools or groups are given throughout the year.
Lodging and Camping Facilities: Several towns along the canal have hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts. The canal provides free primitive campgrounds for those hiking or biking long stretches of the canal. These "hiker-biker campgrounds" are located approximately every five miles on the canal from Swain's Lock (mile 16) to Evitts Creek (mile 180). Each site has a chemical toilet, pump water (May to November), picnic table, and fire ring with cooking grill. Sites are first come, first served. Camping permits are not required except for Marsden Tract (a group-only campground at mile 12). Call (301)299-3613 to reserve Marsden Tract.
Concessions: Snacks, beverages, and supplies are available at stores along or adjacent to the canal. There are concession stands on the canal at Fletcher's Boathouse (mile 3), Great Falls (mile 14), and Swain's Lock (mile 16.6).
Fishing, Hunting, Trapping: Fishing is allowed on the river and in the canal, subject to Maryland and Washington, D.C. regulations. Hunting and trapping are prohibited in the park.
Canoeing and Boating: The canal is watered between Georgetown and Violette's Lock (the first 22 miles). Above Violette's Lock there are short, isolated stretches of water at Big Pool, Little Pool, and from Town Creek to Oldtown (4.5 mile stretch). Canoes can be rented at Thompson's Boathouse(202)333-9543, Fletcher's Boathouse (202)244-0461, or Swain's Lock (301)299-9006. Canoes must be carried around each lock. Motorized water craft are prohibited, except electric trolling motors at Big Pool.
Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is permitted form Swain's Lock to Cumberland. Horse-parties are limited to five riders. Horses are not allowed in the Paw Paw Tunnel. Horses must be kept 50' from campgrounds and picnic areas.
Picnics: Picnics are allowed anywhere along the canal, but fires are only permitted where fire rings are provided. C&O Canal National Historical Park is a "Trash Free Park." Please plan on taking your trash with you when you leave. Groups can reserve a roof-covered pavilion with electricity at Carderock. Call (301)299-3613 for Carderock fees and reservations.
Swimming: Swimming and wading are not allowed in the canal. Swimming is allowed in the Potomac River, except from the Great Falls dam to Chain Bridge. Use caution as the river is extremely dangerous. River currents are strong, deceptive, and unpredictable.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Viewing the Great Falls of the Potomac from the overlook at Great Falls Park. Viewing exhibits at any of the five visitor centers. Hiking or biking sections or all of the towpath. Joining a guided ranger program. Taking a mule-drawn canal boat ride at Georgetown or Great Falls. Canoeing a watered section of the canal.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations are needed for the following- Carderock picnic pavilion, Marsden Tract group campground, and group reservations on the canal boats.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Begin by contacting or visiting one of the park's visitor centers. Allow one and a half hours for a canal boat ride.

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:

During the year the park presents special events including Canal Days, Civil War
re-enactments, 19th century musical programs, and other seasonal events.: This park is featured in a lesson plan created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America's historical experiences and cultural expressions.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Please bike and hike only on designated trails. C&O Canal National Historical Park is a "Trash Free Park." Please plan on taking your trash with you when you leave. Camping and fires are permitted only in designated area. NPS regulations prohibit disturbing or removing wildlife, artifacts, plants, or wildflowers from the park.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Various sites in Washington, D.C. (the White House and National Monuments are approximately one mile from the Georgetown visitor center). Other national parks near or adjacent to the canal include Rock Creek Park, the George Washington Memorial Parkway,Harpers Ferry NHP, and Antietam NB. The canal intersects with the Appalachian Trail near Harpers Ferry. The Sideling Hill geology exhibit is on Route 68 above Hancock.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Contact any visitor center or park headquarters.