About Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
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.
Quick Facts
Location & Map
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in District of Columbia.
Entrance Fees
Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and at Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and at Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc... Vehicles with passenger capacity of fewer than 16 persons, $20 for the vehicle. Vehicles with a passenger capacity of 16 or more persons, $10 per person age 16 and over. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. Age and pass exemptions apply. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle.
The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.
The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.
The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.
The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.
Operating Hours
The towpath is open 365 days a year.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
Valid for one full year from the month of purchase. Permits access to the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Maryland and Great Falls Park in Virginia. The annual pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Multi-Park Loop
Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on…
Skiing and Snowshoeing the C&O Canal Towpath
During the winter months, the C&O Canal may accumulate enough snow for winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can…
Take a Boat Ride on the Canal
Today, visitors can enjoy life on the canal during a free replica canal launch boat program at Williamsport. During the…
Wildlife Watching - Oldtown C&O Canal
Head down the C&O Canal NHP towpath in Oldtown, Maryland into a rare ecosystem mirroring that of the West. Spot…
Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel
Walk through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, a significant engineering feature along Mile 155 of the C&O Canal towpath.
Park at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground at MP 156 and walk south and through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel…
Bike the C&O Canal Towpath
By bicycle or on foot, try a short day trip or travel the entire 184.5-mile length of the Chesapeake and…
Also hiking, paddling, fishing, birding, horse-back riding on some sections.
Visitor Centers
Brunswick Visitor Center
The Brunswick Visitor Center is located just off the C&O Canal towpath at mile 55 in Frederick County, MD. The visitor center shares a building…
Hours: C&O Canal exhibits are open when the Brunswick Heritage Museum is open
Cumberland Visitor Center
The Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center is located at mile 184.5 along the C&O Canal towpath in Allegany County, MD. Located in the Western Maryland Railway…
Hours: Standard Hours
Georgetown Visitor Center
The Georgetown Visitor Center is located at mile 0.4 along the C&O Canal towpath in Washington, DC. Information about the National Park Service in Georgetown…
Hours: Closed for the Winter
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is located at mile 14.3 (Lock 20) along the C&O Canal towpath in Potomac, MD.
Hours: Standard Hours
Williamsport Visitor Center
The Cushwa Basin Visitor Center in Williamsport is located at mile 99.8 along the C&O Canal towpath in Washington County, MD. Situated at the confluence…
Hours: Standard Hours
Campgrounds
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…
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…
Big Woods Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 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…
Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 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…
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…
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…
Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 95.2 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Devils Alley Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 144.5 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 180.1 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Fifteenmile Creek Campground
Mile 140 (Allegany County, MD) - The campground has nine single drive-in campsites. There is one group site available that does not have direct vehicle…
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…
Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 79.2 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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…
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…
Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 139.2 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 175.3 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 101.2 - THiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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…
Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 129.9 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Licking Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 116.0 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Little Pool Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 120.4 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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…
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…
Mccoys Ferry Campground
Mile 110.4 (Washington County, MD) - The campground has 12 single drive-in campsites. Each single accommodates up to eight people. Single campsites have a picnic…
North Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 110.0 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 90.9 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Paw Paw Tunnel Campground
Mile 156 (Allegany County, MD) - There are 10 single campsites, each has a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Each site can accommodate eight…
Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 169.1 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 164.8 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 156.9 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 154.1 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
Spring Gap Campground
Mile 173.3 (Allegany County, MD) - Spring Gap Campground offers 12 single drive-in campsites and two drive-in group sites. Campsites 1, 2, 8, 11 and…
Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 149.4 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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…
Town Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 162.1 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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…
White Rock Hiker-Biker Campsite
Mile 126.4 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one…
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