Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in 3 states.

In the park service’s words

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Multi-Park Loop: Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
• Skiing and Snowshoeing the C&O Canal Towpath: During the winter months, the C&O Canal may accumulate enough snow for winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can step out onto the towpath and enjoy a short or multi-mile journey along the historic canal
• Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail (1 to 8 Hours): There are many places to access the Potomac Heritage Trail, including many connector trails from county parks.
• Wildlife Watching - Oldtown C&O Canal (2 to 4 Hours): Head down the C&O Canal NHP towpath in Oldtown, Maryland into a rare ecosystem mirroring that of the West. Spot a variety of wildlife and dragonfly species in this secluded hotspot.
• Take a Boat Ride on the Canal (1 to 1 Hours): Today, visitors can enjoy life on the canal during a free replica canal launch boat program at Williamsport. During the late 19th and early 20th century, 30-foot battery and steam powered launch boats traveled the canal for leisure and business.
• Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel (1 to 2 Minutes): Walk through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, a significant engineering feature along Mile 155 of the C&O Canal towpath.
• Bike the C&O Canal Towpath (3 to 5 Days): By bicycle or on foot, try a short day trip or travel the entire 184.5-mile length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.
• Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center (20 to 60 Minutes): Visit the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin for information about the Canal and the surrounding area, sites including an aqueduct, rail lift-bridge, lockhouse, and operable locks.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The towpath is open 365 days a year.

Camping

Getting there

The park has numerous access points. There is no main entrance. In Washington, DC, the C&O Canal begins at mile 0 in Georgetown near 29th St NW, south of M St, and runs alongside Canal Rd to the west. The entrance to Great Falls Tavern area is at MacArthur Blvd and Falls Rd in Potomac, MD. Park Headquarters and the Cushwa Basin Visitor Center are in Williamsport, MD off I-81 at exit 2. The Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center and mile 184.5 are off I-68 at exit 43C. See the maps page for more.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Brunswick Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri Closed; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 1:00PM - 4:00PM. C&O Canal exhibits are open when the Brunswick Heritage Museum is open
• Cumberland Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Standard Hours
• Georgetown Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Open for the Season
• Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Standard Hours
• Williamsport Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Standard Hours

Weather

The Washington, DC, area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The climate gradually gets cooler and wetter further west along the canal where the elevation is higher.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 68 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.