Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park | LOCK 30 BOAT RAMP

Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath


The Lock 30 Boat Ramp is located in downtown Brunswick, Maryland, at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. See the Boat Ramps web page for an interactive location map.

NOTE: Sections of the towpath, locks and other historical structures, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, and visitor centers are constantly being closed due to damage and/or repair. When planning an adventure within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, make sure that areas you plan to visit are open by checking the National Park Service’s official Current Park Conditions web page.


Finding the Lock 30 Boat Ramp is a little tricky. From the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park’s Brunswick Visitor Center at the corner of West Potomac Street and South Maple Avenue, take South Maple towards the Potomac River. What causes the confusion is that the road passes through what looks like a railroad yard, which certainly doesn’t seem like a place where you should be driving. Cross one set of railroad tracks, pass through a parking lot, and after passing a second set of tracks, take the first right that you come to. This road runs parallel to the tracks and passes under the Petersville Road Bridge before curving around to a large parking area that can hold a dozen vehicles with trailers and another dozen vehicles only. The boat ramp, the Lock 30 Picnic Area, and Lock 30 itself are all located here.

The boat ramp does not launch directly into the Potomac River but instead into a small channel that parallels the river for a short distance before connecting to it. The channel is C-shaped, so you can get to the river in either direction, but head downstream for the easiest time. The channel is very shallow. I can’t imagine motorized boats launching from here unless you float your boat out to the Potomac with the engine raised, but launching hand-paddled watercraft is no problem.

Like all boat ramps within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, there is no usage fee.

Downstream view of the Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Downstream view of the Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Upstream view of the Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Upstream view of the Lock 30 Boat Ramp at Mile 55 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

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Last updated on June 11, 2024
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