184.5 Miles of Adventure!
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!
Features
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Join the Conversation!
Thousands of people stay connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park through social media. Are you one of them?
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Curriculum-based Education Programs
Ranger guided programs offer opportunities for students to explore the natural and historical features of the canal from Georgetown to Cumberland!
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Discover the Seasons Along the Towpath
Patches of bluebells and budding green trees splash color along the towpath in spring as well as vibrant reds and yellows as the trees change in fall.
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Explore the canal from the water!
Experience the canal by riding on a canal boat. Rides are offered spring, summer and fall in Great Falls and summer in Georgetown and Williamsport.
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Did You Know?
A mule is a hybrid animal, a mix of a female horse (a mare) and a male donkey (a jack). Remember, "M" for mom, "M" for mare and "D" for dad, "D" for donkey. Switching the parents will produce a hinny. The mule is the superior work animal, preferred by canal boat captains on the C&O Canal.