Launch boat ride through the Conococheague Creek Aqueduct (photo by National Park Service / Stephanie Spencer)
Launch Boat Rides on the C&O Canal depart from the Williamsport Visitor Center at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. These motorized boats were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s and were used for business and pleasure travel, not to haul cargo. They look similar to modern day water taxis or small tour boats that operate on a river.
Old photo of a launch boat on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
All tickets are taken on a first come, first served basis on the day of the tour. The schedule changes every year, but the tour typically operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day on weekends multiple times a day. Be sure to check the National Park Service’s official Williamsport Launch Boat Program website for the latest schedule or call the Visitor Center.
The boat leaves from the Cushwa Basin at the Williamsport Visitor Center and travels downstream to Lock 44 and upstream across the newly restored Conococheague Creek Aqueduct. The tour takes about 45 minutes.
Williamsport Visitor Center and the Cushwa Basin in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
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Last updated on June 7, 2024
