Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

Official facts

Public access: Restricted access.

Protected area: 13,211 acres (5,346 ha).

Designation: National Historical Park. Listed as "Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Hiking trails trail

Events

• Abner Cloud House Tour 12:00 PM–04:00 PM · 4940 Canal Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Cumberland Terminus Ranger Talk
• Music on the Canal at Great Falls
• Guided Tours of Riley's Lockhouse 01:00 PM–04:00 PM
• Lockhouse 44 - Williamsport
• Cushwa Basin Birds: Fall Migrants & Local Residents
• Sun Astronomy at Great Falls
• Four Locks Walking Tour 10:30 AM–12:00 PM · Four Locks boat ramp parking lot is located near Clear Springs, Maryland. The boat ramp can be reached by turning onto Four Locks Road off Maryland Route 56; driving 0.6 miles and bearing right onto Starliper Road. Then, drive though the culvert to the boat ramp parking lot.
• Fossil Day @ Cushwa Basin 10:00 AM–02:00 PM
• Scavenger Hunt Around the Park 01:00 PM–03:00 PM · Outside the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
• Sit and Stitch with a Ranger 01:00 PM–03:00 PM · Outside of the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
• Fishing Program 10:00 AM–12:00 PM · Outside of the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Pets are allowed in most park areas, but must be on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length at all times

Limits

Drones are not allowed at C&O Canal NHP Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, model airplanes, etc...)

Getting there

The park has numerous access points. There is no main entrance. In Washington, DC, the C&O Canal begins at mile 0 in Georgetown near 29th St NW, south of M St, and runs alongside Canal Rd to the west. The entrance to Great Falls Tavern area is at MacArthur Blvd and Falls Rd in Potomac, MD. Park Headquarters and the Cushwa Basin Visitor Center are in Williamsport, MD off I-81 at exit 2. The Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center and mile 184.5 are off I-68 at exit 43C. See the maps page for more.

Weather & when to go

The Washington, DC, area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The climate gradually gets cooler and wetter further west along the canal where the elevation is higher.

⚠ Park closure: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

Multiple items are closed due to hazardous conditions or maintenance. See below for more details.

⚠ Caution: DC Water Sewer Overflow

DC Water is managing a sanitary sewer overflow from the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 10. Anyone with questions or in need of support can reach out to DC Water’s 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 or visit https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/potomac-interceptor-collapse.

Park alert: Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155

Horses are prohibited between Little Tonoloway (mile 124.5) and Paw Paw (mile 155) due to recent and ongoing towpath resurfacing. See more for details.

⚠ Caution: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract

Visitors are restricted to the designated trails within the Gold Mine Tract in the Great Falls area. This location is generally defined as that area bordered by MacArthur Boulevard and Berma Road and depicted on the Great Falls Maryland Hiking Map.

Visitor center

Billy Goat Trail Section A Trailhead

Visitor center

Brunswick Visitor Center

Visitor center

Brunswick Visitor Center — C&O Canal exhibits are open when the Brunswick Heritage Museum is open — From US-340 - Take the MD-17/Burkettsville Road exit toward Brunswick. Turn left onto MD-17/Burkettsville Road and pass through one roundabout. Turn right onto MD-17/MD-79/Petersville Road. At B Street, turn left. Take B Street to North Maryland Avenue and turn right. Turn left onto West Potomac Street and follow to visitor center.

Visitor center

C&O Canal Entrance Station

Visitor center

C&O Canal Lock 20

Visitor center

C&O Canal Lock 33

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center — Standard Hours — From East: Take exit 43C off I-68. Turn left on Harrison St. Enter Canal Place parking area. The visitor center is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway Station. From West: Take exit 43C off I-68. Turn left on Queen City Dr. Turn left on Harrison St. Enter Canal Place parking area. The visitor center is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway Station.

Visitor center

Georgetown Visitor Center

Visitor center

Georgetown Visitor Center — Open for the Season

Visitor center

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

1 bench, 1 mobility rental, 20 picnic area, 49 restroom, 19 visitor information, 16 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 16.6 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 5 campsites · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.
• Marsden Tract Group Campground Mile 11.5 (Montgomery County, MD). The campground has six group campsites; sites accommodate up to 30 campers at each site. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. Potable water is located a short walk up the towpath and across the footbridge (water may not be available during cold winter months). Portable toilets are in the campground. No vehicle traffic is allowed on the towpath and ac · 6 campsites
• Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 26.1 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 30.5 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• Turtle Run Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 34.4 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 38.2 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• Indian Flats Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 42.5 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt
• Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 47.6 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA Accessible
• Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 50.3 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Campsite not ADA accessible.
• Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 62.0 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt
• Antietam Creek Campground Mile 69.4 (Washington County, MD) - The campground has 20 single campsites each with a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Each campsite will accommodate up to eight campers. Pit toilets are located between campsite #6 and campsite #7 adjacent to the towpath. A second set of chemical toilets are available down the towpath. Potable water is along the towpath at pumps (available mid-April to mid-Nove · 20 campsites
• Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker Campsite Mile 75.2 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.