Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

How to Get There

From Frederick, MD (25 mi to Point of Rocks): Take US-15 S to MD-28 W, then follow signs to the C&O Canal access point at Point of Rocks or other nearby trailheads.

Overview

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves a 184.5-mile stretch of canal and towpath that once served as a vital transportation route between Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. Built in the 19th century to move coal and goods along the Potomac River, the canal is now a recreational corridor for hikers, cyclists, paddlers, and history enthusiasts. The park features lockhouses, aqueducts, and restored canal boats that offer a glimpse into the engineering and labor that shaped early American commerce.

Visitors can explore diverse landscapes ranging from urban riverfronts to remote woodlands, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, camping, and ranger-led programs. Highlights include the Great Falls area, the historic town of Harpers Ferry, and the scenic Paw Paw Tunnel. With its blend of natural beauty and historical significance, the C&O Canal offers a unique journey through the cultural and environmental heritage of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Things to Do

Explore America's Historic Canalway

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves the historic C&O Canal, a 184.5-mile waterway that stretches from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. Built between 1828 and 1850, the canal once served as a vital transportation route for coal, lumber, and agricultural products. Today, it is one of the nation's premier destinations for hiking, cycling, history, and outdoor recreation.

Visit Historic Canal Locks and Aqueducts

Throughout the park, visitors can explore historic locks, lockhouses, aqueducts, culverts, and other engineering structures that highlight the ingenuity of nineteenth-century canal construction. Notable sites include Great Falls, Monocacy Aqueduct, and Paw Paw Tunnel.

Experience Great Falls

One of the park's most popular attractions is Great Falls, where the Potomac River drops dramatically through a rocky gorge. Visitors can enjoy spectacular overlooks, scenic hiking trails, and opportunities to observe the power of the river while learning about the canal's history alongside the falls.

Bike or Walk the Towpath

The historic towpath, once used by mules that pulled canal boats, now serves as a continuous multi-use trail extending nearly the entire length of the canal. Visitors can hike, run, bicycle, and explore a variety of landscapes including forests, riverbanks, wetlands, small towns, and historic sites.

Enjoy Wildlife Viewing and Outdoor Recreation

The park protects diverse habitats along the Potomac River corridor that support deer, foxes, beavers, herons, bald eagles, turtles, and numerous migratory bird species. Fishing, camping, paddling, birdwatching, photography, and ranger-led programs are popular activities throughout the year.

Top Trails

C&O Canal Towpath

Length: 184.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

The park's signature trail follows the entire canal from Georgetown to Cumberland. Visitors can enjoy short walks, day rides, or multi-day bicycle tours while exploring historic structures, river scenery, and diverse natural environments along the Potomac River.

Great Falls Overlook Trail

Length: Approximately 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This popular route provides access to several overlooks of Great Falls and the Mather Gorge. The trail offers spectacular views of cascading rapids, rugged rock formations, and the Potomac River.

Paw Paw Tunnel Trail

Length: Approximately 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This trail explores one of the canal's greatest engineering achievements, the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel. Visitors can walk through the historic tunnel and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding mountains and river valley.

Billy Goat Trail (Adjacent Great Falls Area)

Length: Approximately 4.7 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Strenuous

Located near Great Falls, the famous Billy Goat Trail offers challenging rock scrambling and dramatic views of the Potomac River. It is one of the most popular hikes in the Mid-Atlantic region and provides a more adventurous experience than much of the towpath.

Sources: National Park Service official Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park information, including details on the C&O Canal, towpath, Great Falls, Paw Paw Tunnel, historic canal structures, recreational opportunities, and visitor amenities. https://www.nps.gov/choh
Additional information verified through National Park Service visitor resources covering the C&O Canal Towpath, Great Falls area trails, canal history, cycling opportunities, and outdoor recreation along the Potomac River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the https://www.nps.gov/choh/, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.