Alert: Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited Milepost 173.37 to 184.5

National Historical Park

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

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. NPS photo

Overview

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.

States: DC, MD, WV301-739-4200

Hours

  • Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Monday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Friday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset

Fees & Passes

  • 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

    Pass is for one motorcycle 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 - 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 - Education/Academic Groups:  0.00

    Academic groups visiting the Great Falls area for a park ranger program have an automatic entrance fee waiver. Accredited academic institutions or groups coming to the Great Falls area of the park for a curriculum based visit, not attending a park ranger program must apply for an academic fee waiver. All materials must be provided in order to be considered. A fee waiver is not guaranteed. Allow up to two weeks for processing. Please email application to choh_educational_fee_waiver@nps.gov.


  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups:  20.00

    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.


Map

Things To Do

Category

6 Results
    inside view of a brick tunnel next to a canal

    Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel

    Free

    Description

    Walk through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, a significant engineering feature along Mile 155 of the C&O Canal towpath. 

    More info
    Pet FriendlyTime:1-2 Minutes
    bicyclists stopped along a natural surface path near a modern and an historic historic

    Bike the C&O Canal Towpath

    Free

    Description

    By bicycle or on foot, try a short day trip or travel the entire 184.5-mile length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyTime:3-5 Days
    Cushwa Basin and Warehouse view from towpath

    Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center

    Free

    Description

    Visit the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin for information about the Canal and the surrounding area, sites including an aqueduct, rail lift-bridge, lockhouse, and operable locks.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyTime:20-60 Minutes
    River, park and city skyline below a cloudy sky

    Explore the Georgetown Waterfront

    Free

    Description

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

    More info
    Pet FriendlyTime:60-160 Minutes
    Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoa Rivers, offering panoramic views.

    Bicycle from Williamsport to Harpers Ferry

    Free

    Description

    Want to explore history and enjoy a day bicycling? This is the route for you. Enjoy a leisurely 40-mile bike ride, or choose to hike and or paddle the length instead, spending the night camping or staying in paid accommodations. Historic treasures await you in Williamsport, Shepherdstown, and Harpers Ferry along the way.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:0-99Time:1-3 Days
    water tumbles over rocks

    Multi-Park Loop

    Free

    Description

    Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!

    More info
    Pet Friendly

More Images

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