Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

A gravel travel next to a watered canal surrounded by bright greenery
Towpath along Lush Canal
A bright blue sky reflects off clear water
C&O Canal at Widewater
A path leads up to a large stone tunnel carved into a mountain
Paw Paw Tunnel
A single bike rider on the towpath next to the widewater section of the canal.
The towpath offers a serene bike riding experience.
Fog over the Potomac River alongside the Canal towpath.
Big Slackwater is a 3 mile stretch where canal boats entered the Potomac River to travel above Dam 4.
A whitewashed lockhouse sits above a stone lock with wooden crib.
Lockhouse 16 sits atop a stone outcropping above the lock.
The rushing river cascades over the rocks of the Potomac
The area of Great Falls is one of the reasons for the C&O Canal needed to be built for boat traffic.
Photos: National Park Service

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.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Historical Park
Park State / Territory MembershipDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia
Current Alerts4
Visitor Centers5
Campgrounds37
Things To Do11

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

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.

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$20.00

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.

Entrance - Motorcycle$15.00

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.

Entrance - Per Person$10.00

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.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$100.00

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.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100.00

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.

Commercial Entrance - Van$40.00

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.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40.00

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.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25.00

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.

FridaySunrise to Sunset
MondaySunrise to Sunset
SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
SundaySunrise to Sunset
ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
WednesdaySunrise to Sunset

Activities

BikingRoad BikingBoatingBoat TourCampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingFishingFreshwater FishingGuided ToursBoat TourHikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingIce Skating

Current Alerts

Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD, 21795

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park$35.00

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

DamsLaborer and WorkerSchools and EducationTransportationCanalsTunnelsTragic EventsFloodsWars and ConflictsCivil WarWomen's HistoryAnimalsBirdsFishForests and WoodlandsDeciduous Forests

Things To Do

Multi-Park Loop

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

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 the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail

Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail

There are many places to access the Potomac Heritage Trail, including many connector trails from county parks.

Wildlife Watching - Oldtown C&O Canal

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…

Take a Boat Ride on the Canal

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…

Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel

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. 

More Things to Do

Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.

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 Ohio Canal…

Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center

Visit the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin for information about the Canal and the surrounding area, sites including an aqueduct, rail…

Explore the Georgetown Waterfront

Explore the Georgetown Waterfront and imagine the changes the space has gone through.

Explore the Trolley Barn at Cushwa Basin

The trolley barn is located across the parking lot from the Cushwa Building. In 1896, the first trolley line in Washington County,…

Paddle the Middle Potomac

Paddle from Potoma (sic) Wayside, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, or another launch site and take out at…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

Campgrounds

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Nearby Cities for Trip Planning

These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.

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