Table and grill at Spring Gap Picnic Area at Mile 173.3 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Spring Gap Picnic Area is located right off of Highway 51 (Oldtown Road) in Oldtown, Maryland, at Mile 173.3 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. See the Picnic Areas 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.

When entering the Spring Gap recreation area from Highway 51, the road into the park dead ends and you must turn left or right. To the left is the Spring Gap Campground where those in automobiles can spend the night. To the right is the Spring Gap Picnic Area. There is also a boat ramp on this side.

There are only four picnic tables at Spring Gap, three with their own grills. The picnic area is situated along the Potomac River, but the tables themselves are set back from the river and along the trees of the surrounding forest.

Like nearly all picnic areas within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. If you have a large group and would like a place to picnic, the pavilion at Carderock near the Great Falls is the only spot in the park that can be reserved. Groups are still welcome to picnic at Spring Gap, but they run the risk of not getting picnic tables. Also, groups of more than 25 people need a Special Use Permit.

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