Mule-drawn canal boat ride on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at Great Falls Tavern

---

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.

---

The coolest thing at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is the mule-drawn canal boat ride that departs from Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The boat boards on the downstream side of Lock 20 and is then pulled upstream by a team of mules, just like when the canal was in operation. The ride takes about one hour.

Departure dock for the mule-drawn boat ride on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at Great Falls Tavern

To get upstream, the boat must first be raised to the height of the upstream section of the canal, which it does by entering the lock. To raise the boat, the downstream gate is closed and water is let in through the bottom portion of the upstream gate. This is just like sticking the stopper in a bathtub drain and turning on the water. As the water level rises, so does the boat. When it is level with the upstream section of the canal, the upstream gate is opened and the boat is pulled out of the lock and begins the journey towards Cumberland, Maryland.

Canal boat enters Lock 20 from downstream on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at Great Falls Tavern

Canal boat enters Lock 20 from downstream on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at Great Falls Tavern

Of course the boat isn’t going all the way to Cumberland, but it does travel a half-mile or so down the canal before turning around. To get back to the dock it must now be lowered to the downstream level of the canal. To do so, after the boat enters the lock, the upstream gate is closed and water is let out through the lower half of the downstream gate—just like taking the stopper out of the drain. As water exits the lock the boat is lowered. When it is level with the downstream section of the canal, the downstream gate is opened and the boat continues towards Georgetown, or in this case, the canal boat dock.

Canal boat approaches Lock 20 and the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

During the boat ride, a guide dressed up like it was the early 1800s tells passengers about the canal. On shore, more costumed guides operate the lock. If you are not on the boat ride, but at the lock when it is time to open the gates, you can help out. The entire process is fascinating.

Lockkeeper at Lock 20 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal using the lock key to open the gates

Visitors at Great Falls Tavern help open the upstream lock gates on Lock 20 in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Rides run from April through October, though the number of excursions and departure times vary depending on season. To get the latest schedule, be sure to check the National Park Service’s official Great Falls Canal Boat Rides web page. Furthermore, if you are going to the park specifically for the ride, call the Visitor Center at (301) 739-4200 to make sure they are being held. I visited during Spring Break and got my daughter all excited, but when we arrived at Great Falls Tavern we found out that the rides were cancelled due to low water levels in the canal. If you think that’s awful, the Washington Monument was closed as well—got up early to be there at 7 AM for tickets. It was just like the Griswold’s trip to Wally World.

There is a fee for the ride and tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center. If you have a group of ten or more people you must make a reservation, either at the Visitor Center or by calling (301) 739-4200 during normal hours of business. For everyone else, tickets are taken on a first come, first served basis.

Canal boat heads upstream from Lock 20 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

The Great Falls area of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is the most densely populated National Park unit on the east coast, and perhaps in the country. On a nice summer weekend if you aren’t at the park by 10 AM you could be waiting for hours to get in—one car leaves, one enters. However, nearly everyone you see is a local resident visiting the park to hike, bike, or kayak on the Potomac River. The boat ride is mainly for tourists, and there ain’t a whole lot of ‘em. A Ranger told me they are lucky to sell a couple dozen tickets per ride—the boat holds 65 passengers. I was there on one of those packed days and there were maybe 20 people on the boat. Thus, don’t freak out when you arrive and see a thousand people milling around because they aren’t there for the boat ride.

Visitors to the Great Falls section of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Back to the Top