Complete information about visiting the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is now on National Park Planner!
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves the second major canal dug in the United States, the first being the Erie Canal. Unlike the Erie Canal where only sections here and there still exist, the entire C&O Canal is intact—all 184.5 miles of it. Parking lots can be found along the canal at picnic areas, campgrounds, boat ramps, and historical structures such as locks, lockhouses, dams, and aqueducts. Some sections have even been put back in working order, and at Great Falls, Williamsport, and Georgetown (temporarily closed) you can take a ride on a canal boat.
While the opportunity to experience history exists along every mile of the canal, the park’s true draw—it was the 14th most visited National Park unit in 2016 with nearly five million visitors—is its recreational opportunities. Hikers and bikers can travel on the original towpath from Georgetown to Cumberland. No-frills campsites have been set up every eight miles or so. Horseback riding is also allowed between Mile 16.6 and 181.8 (mileposts similar to those on highways denote mileage along the towpath).
There are also multiple boat ramps and canoe launches that grant fishermen and paddlers access to the Potomac River. For those wanting a leisurely paddle suitable for small children, select sections of the canal have been refurbished and now contain water.
DIRECTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
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Last updated on March 23, 2019
