The area of Great Falls is one of the reasons for the C&O Canal needed to be built for boat traffic.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Historical Park · DC, MD, WV
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.
Park report
Alert: Park Closure
How this is rated
Poor: closures/hazards · Fair: cautions/noticesClosures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
Alert: Caution
How this is rated
Poor: closures/hazards · Fair: cautions/noticesDC Water Sewer Overflow
Alert: Information
How this is rated
Poor: closures/hazards · Fair: cautions/noticesEquestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155
Alert: Caution
How this is rated
Poor: closures/hazards · Fair: cautions/noticesHiking in Gold Mine Tract
Fee: Entrance - Private Vehicle
How this is rated
Good: free · Fair: ≤$20 · Low: >$20$20
Fee: Entrance - Motorcycle
How this is rated
Good: free · Fair: ≤$20 · Low: >$20$15
Fee: Entrance - Per Person
How this is rated
Good: free · Fair: ≤$20 · Low: >$20$10
Campgrounds Available
How this is rated
Good: campgrounds available in this park37 campgrounds
Campground: Antietam Creek Campground
GoodMile 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 avai
Campground: Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker Campsite
GoodMile 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.
Campground: Big Woods Hiker-Biker Campsite
GoodMile 82.7 - 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.
Campground: Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
GoodMile 133.6 - 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.
Visitor Centers
Good5 visitor centers
Activities Available
How this is rated
Good: many activities available24 activities
Park Name
InfoChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Designation
InfoNational Historical Park
State(s)
InfoDC, MD, WV
Phone
Info301-739-4200
CHOH_Information@nps.gov
Pass: Annual Entrance - Park
Info$35
Operating Hours
InfoThe towpath is open 365 days a year.
Visitor Center: Brunswick Visitor Center
InfoSee park for hours
Visitor Center: Cumberland Visitor Center
InfoSee park for hours
Visitor Center: Georgetown Visitor Center
InfoSee park for hours
Activity: Biking
InfoAvailable
Activity: Road Biking
InfoAvailable
Activity: Boating
InfoAvailable
Activity: Boat Tour
InfoAvailable
Activity: Camping
InfoAvailable
Activity: Car or Front Country Camping
InfoAvailable
Activity: Group Camping
InfoAvailable
Activity: Fishing
InfoAvailable
Activity: Freshwater Fishing
InfoAvailable
Activity: Guided Tours
InfoAvailable
Activity: Boat Tour
InfoAvailable
Activity: Hiking
InfoAvailable
Activity: Front-Country Hiking
InfoAvailable
Activity: Horse Trekking
InfoAvailable
Activity: Horseback Riding
InfoAvailable
Theme: Dams
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Laborer and Worker
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Schools and Education
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Transportation
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Canals
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Tunnels
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Tragic Events
InfoFeatured at this park
Theme: Floods
InfoFeatured at this park
Weather Info
InfoThe 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 graduall
Getting There
InfoThe 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.
GPS Coordinates
Info39.0003° N, -77.2481° W
Data from official federal recreation records. Updated periodically. Park conditions change — always verify with the park before visiting. Verify on official park website