Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Quick answers

When is the best time to visit Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October. Details

How much does it cost to get in?

Published entrance fees: $10 per person, $15 for a motorcycle, and $20 for a private vehicle. Details

Where do you park?

The park lists two parking areas with 586 spaces in all; the largest, Great Falls, has 486. Details

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

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.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Store / concessions, Visitor center.

When is the best time to visit Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October.

The weather works against it in January, February, and December.

The warmest month is July, with average highs near 84°F (29°C); the coolest is January, near 42°F (6°C).

May is the wettest month, with about 4.3 in (109 mm) of precipitation in a typical May.

The most snow falls in February, about 7.5 in (19 cm) in a typical year.

Typical weather, 1991-2020 (NOAA NCEI 30-year monthly normals). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1991-2020 normals)

Getting in to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: fees and parking

Published entrance fees: $10 per person, $15 for a motorcycle, and $20 for a private vehicle.

The park lists two parking areas with 586 spaces in all; the largest, Great Falls, has 486.

13 accessible spaces are marked across two parking areas.

Prices as published by US National Park Service, as of 2026-10-10; check before you travel.

Official facts

The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park's mapped point very low (2023 map); it rates the ground, not the weather.

The nearest live USGS river gauge to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is Difficult Run Near Great Falls, VA (01646000), 2.7 km away.

Public access: Restricted access.

Protected area: 13,211 acres (5,346 ha).

Designation: National Historical Park. Listed as "Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

River or stream: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

River or stream: Carroll Branch. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Geological Survey, National Hydrography Dataset (The National Map) · U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Information System · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Hiking trails trail

Events

• Abner Cloud House Tour May 3 – Dec 6, 2026 · 12:00 PM–04:00 PM · 4940 Canal Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Guided Tours of Riley's Lockhouse Aug 16 – Dec 12, 2026 · 01:00 PM–04:00 PM

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Pets are allowed in most park areas, but must be on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length at all times

Limits

Drones are not allowed at C&O Canal NHP Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, model airplanes, etc...)

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

⚠ Park closure: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

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

⚠ Caution: 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.

Park alert: 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.

⚠ Caution: 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.

Visitor center

Billy Goat Trail Section A Trailhead

Visitor center

Brunswick Visitor Center

Visitor center

Brunswick Visitor Center — C&O Canal exhibits are open when the Brunswick Heritage Museum is open — From US-340 - Take the MD-17/Burkettsville Road exit toward Brunswick. Turn left onto MD-17/Burkettsville Road and pass through one roundabout. Turn right onto MD-17/MD-79/Petersville Road. At B Street, turn left. Take B Street to North Maryland Avenue and turn right. Turn left onto West Potomac Street and follow to visitor center.

Visitor center

C&O Canal Entrance Station

Visitor center

C&O Canal Lock 20

Visitor center

C&O Canal Lock 33

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Visitor center

Cumberland Visitor Center — Standard Hours — From East: Take exit 43C off I-68. Turn left on Harrison St. Enter Canal Place parking area. The visitor center is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway Station. From West: Take exit 43C off I-68. Turn left on Queen City Dr. Turn left on Harrison St. Enter Canal Place parking area. The visitor center is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway Station.

Visitor center

Georgetown Visitor Center

Visitor center

Georgetown Visitor Center — Open for the Season

Visitor center

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

1 bench, 1 mobility rental, 20 picnic areas, 53 restrooms, 19 visitor information, 18 water fountains.

Where to stay

• 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 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 available down the towpath. Potable water is along the towpath at pumps (available mid-April to mid-Nove · 20 campsites
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Campsite not ADA accessible.
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to fil · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA Accessible
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filt · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to fil · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA Accessible
• 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 night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to fil · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not ADA Accessible
• 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 access. The group site can accommodate 30 people. Each single will accommodate up to eight people. Single campsites have a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Pit toilets are located between campsite #3 and campsite #4 along the dead end circle. Pot · 10 campsites
• and 27 more

Parks nearby

• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Protected park · 4.4 mi
• Clara Barton National Historic Site Protected park · 6.2 mi
• Korean War Veterans Memorial Protected park · 13 mi
• National Mall and Memorial Parks Protected park · 14 mi
• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens Protected park · 17 mi
• Manassas National Battlefield Park Protected park · 20 mi

Distances are in a straight line.