River access point at Lock 34 at Mile 61.5 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

The Lock 34 Canoe Launch is located just north of Harpers Ferry at Mile 61.5 on the C&O Canal towpath. There is an equipment and passenger drop-off area, but no parking. The closest parking lot is 2.2 miles away at the Dargan Bend Boat Ramp. 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.

While not on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park map, there is a canoe launch at Lock 34 near Harpers Ferry that provides access to the Potomac River. There is a drop-off area for equipment and passengers alongside the road, but the closest parking lot is 2.2 miles upriver at the Dargan Bend Boat Ramp. Given that situation, it makes absolutely no sense to start a trip on the Potomac River from Lock 34. If you have to park at Dargan Bend, just launch from there.