The rushing river cascades over the rocks of the Potomac

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

National Historical Park Β· District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia

NPS photo

πŸ“ StateDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia
πŸ›οΈ TypeNational Historical Park
🎟️ Entry$20
πŸƒ Activities24
Official NPS Website β†’
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Historic site in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland. The park was established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to preserve the neglected remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

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.

Park Photos

The rushing river cascades over the rocks of the Potomac
A single bike rider on the towpath next to the widewater section of the canal.
A whitewashed lockhouse sits above a stone lock with wooden crib.
Fog over the Potomac River alongside the Canal towpath.
A replica double decker canal boat is being pulled upstream by mules.

Activities

Operating Hours

C&O Canal Towpath

The towpath is open 365 days a year.

montuewedthufrisatsun
Sunrise to SunsetSunrise to SunsetSunrise to SunsetSunrise to SunsetSunrise to SunsetSunrise to SunsetSunrise to Sunset

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00. Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle β€” passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans β€” 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 β€” entering on foot or by bicycle β€” 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.

What are the best activities at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

Popular activities at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park include: Biking, Road Biking, Boating, Boat Tour, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, Fishing.

What is the weather like at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

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.

How do I get to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

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.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$20

Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle β€” passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans β€” 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

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

Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older β€” entering on foot or by bicycle β€” 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Weather

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.

Directions

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.

πŸ“ View on Google Maps β†’

Location

Official Resources

NPS Official Website