National park · United States
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical ParkC&O Canal
No entrance fee. Pick one section, not the whole 184.5-mile park: Great Falls Tavern for the Billy Goat Trail and falls overlook, Paw Paw Tunnel for the 946 m tunnel walk, or Georgetown for a car-free towpath start. Weekends at Great Falls fill the lot by 9:00.No entrance fee. Pick one section, not the whole 184.5-mile park: Great Falls Tavern for the Billy Goat Trail and falls overlook, Paw Paw Tunnel for the 946 m tunnel walk, or Georgetown for a car-free towpath start. Weekends at Great Falls fill the lot by 9:00 AM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
81 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (81 km²)
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Mid-Atlantic ↗Amtrak Northeast Regional is the workhorse; Acela is faster and costs much more. Book ahead for the cheapest seats.
- Mid-Atlantic ↗I-95 carries heavy tolls, especially in Delaware; a rental car with an e-toll tag avoids cash lanes.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 81 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (81 km²)
- About 20,000 acres of land along the river corridor; the park boundary follows the canal for 184.5 miles (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Washington, D.C.
The C&O Canal is not a park with one gate. It is a 184.5-mile corridor along the Potomac from Georgetown in Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland, built 1828–1850 and worked until 1924. Today the flat towpath is a walking and cycling route, with the rougher Billy Goat Trail, the Paw Paw Tunnel and Great Falls as the set pieces. Because it is long and free, the real decisions are which section, which day and which direction.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1971.
Size and age
81 km² (31 sq mi)31 sq mi (81 km²) · national park since 1971
About 20,000 acres of land along the river corridor; the park boundary follows the canal for 184.5 miles (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Washington, D.C..
Why go
- A flat, car-free towpath that runs for 184.5 miles — you choose the length.
- Billy Goat Trail Section A is real rock scrambling 30 minutes from Washington, DC.
- Great Falls is the biggest rapid complex on the Potomac and the easiest big-water view near the capital.
- The Paw Paw Tunnel is a 946 m brick-lined walk through canal-era engineering, unlit and cool inside.
- Free hiker-biker campsites every few miles make multi-day rides possible without bookings.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanBare trees, empty towpath, ice on the canal
- FebCold and quiet; mud after thaws
- MarVariable; first wildflowers late in the month
- AprDogwood and redbud; comfortable walking
- MayGreen and mild; busiest weekends start
- JunHeat and humidity; start early
- JulHottest month; afternoon storms
- AugHot and humid; low water in the canal
- SepHeat eases late in the month
- OctPeak fall colour; crowded at Great Falls
- NovClear views through bare trees; cold nights
- DecQuiet; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bald eagles along the riverNov–Mar · Nests on rocky cliffs above the Potomac; winter is the easiest time to see them. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| White-tailed deerNov–Feb · More visible in winter when the park is quiet. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowers and dogwoodApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Herons, turtles and waterfowl on the canalApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Poison ivy along the towpath edgesMay–Sep · Stay on the path; it lines much of the corridor. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Washington, DC (Georgetown)
Walk south to the canal at the Georgetown terminus and turn west; no car needed.
0 min from Georgetown
Open the page →
From Washington, DC (Great Falls Tavern)
Drive MacArthur Blvd to the tavern lot; weekday buses run to Carderock and Glen Echo, weekends to Glen Echo only.
35–50 min by car
Open the page →
From Washington, DC by bike
Ride the towpath from Georgetown to Great Falls on a flat, unpaved surface.
2.5–3.5 h one way
From Cumberland, MD (Paw Paw Tunnel)
Drive Route 51 west from Cumberland to the tunnel parking area.
about 1 h
From Mid-Atlantic region
The park is a corridor, not a single site; pick the section nearest your base.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown terminus (mile 0) | Urban start of the canal, old warehouses, shops and restaurants on the towpath. | Open; walk in from the street. |
| Great Falls area (miles 13–15) | Great Falls Tavern visitor centre, Billy Goat Trail, Olmsted Island boardwalk and the falls overlook. | Open; parking fills early on weekends. |
| Middle Potomac (miles 60–130) | Long rural stretches, Harpers Ferry across the river, Williamsport and Hancock visitor centres. | Open; drive-in access at bridges. |
| Paw Paw Tunnel and western end (miles 156–184.5) | The 946 m tunnel, remote towpath and Cumberland terminus. | Open; unlit tunnel, bring a torch. |
Sketch map
- 1Georgetown Visitor Center · Headquarters≈38.905, -77.0611057 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC.Map ↗
- 2Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center · Headquarters≈39.000, -77.24811710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD.Map ↗
- 3Billy Goat Trail Section A · Trail≈38.993, -77.239Map ↗
- 4Great Falls overlook (Olmsted Island) · Viewpoint≈38.994, -77.252Map ↗
- 5Brunswick Visitor Center · Town≈39.313, -77.62740 West Potomac St, Brunswick, MD.Map ↗
- 6Williamsport Visitor Center (Cushwa Basin) · Headquarters≈39.600, -77.825Map ↗
- 7Hancock Visitor Center · Town≈39.699, -78.177Map ↗
- 8Paw Paw Tunnel · Cave≈39.557, -78.462Around mile 156 of the towpath.Map ↗
- 9Cumberland Visitor Center · Ranger station≈39.653, -78.763Western Maryland Railway Station, 13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD.Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the canal corridor from Georgetown to Cumberland, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the park and towpath | Free | person | No entrance fee at any section, including Great Falls (check). |
| Great Falls Tavern parking | US$0–20 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; some lots charge a flat day fee, others are free — check signage on arrival. |
| Drive-in campsite (Antietam Creek, McCoys Ferry, Fifteenmile Creek, Paw Paw, Spring Gap) | US$10–20 | site per night | 2026 estimate; no RV hook-ups, RVs only at McCoys Ferry, Fifteenmile Creek and Spring Gap. |
| Hiker-biker campsite | Free | site per night | Free, first come; one night per site. |
| Mule-drawn canal boat ride | US$5–15 | person | 2026 estimate; runs seasonally at Georgetown and Great Falls Tavern — check the day's schedule. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping no permit
Commercial filming or large group events permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$10–20
- US$5–15
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — C&O Canal fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- No motorised vehicles
- The towpath is for walking, running, cycling and horses; no cars, motorbikes or e-bikes with throttle.
- River swimming
- Do not wade or swim in the Potomac. The current runs under calm-looking surface and drownings happen every year.
- Dogs
- Allowed on the towpath on a lead; not allowed on Billy Goat Trail Section A.
- Camping
- Only at the five drive-in sites and 30 hiker-biker sites; one night per hiker-biker site.
- Plants and artefacts
- Do not pick plants or remove canal-era objects; several species here are rare or protected.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided grills at campsites; no fires on the towpath.
Where to stay
In the park
Hiker-biker campsites
30 free sites along the towpath, each with a chemical toilet, picnic table and grill; water is not always available.
In the park
Drive-in campsites
Five basic sites at Antietam Creek, McCoys Ferry, Fifteenmile Creek, Paw Paw and Spring Gap; no hook-ups.
Near the park
Brunswick and Williamsport
Small-town hotels and B&Bs on the canal, useful for splitting the middle section.
Near the park
Washington, DC and Cumberland
Full range of hotels at both ends of the canal.
Safety
Drowning in the Potomac high
Rock scrambling on Billy Goat Trail Section A medium
Heat and humidity in summer medium
Unlit Paw Paw Tunnel low
Flooding and towpath closures medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Olmsted Island boardwalk to the Great Falls overlook is wheelchair accessible.
- The towpath is flat and wide but unpaved; firm in dry weather, muddy after rain.
- Great Falls Tavern and several other visitor centres have accessible parking and toilets.
- Billy Goat Trail Section A and the Paw Paw Tunnel towpath are not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the towpath and marked trails; the corridor holds rare and protected plants.
- Carry out everything, including food waste — campsites have no rubbish collection.
- Treat or filter river and canal water rather than relying on campsite taps.
- Use the free hiker-biker sites and the towpath for short trips instead of driving between sections.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee at any section, including Great Falls. You may pay for parking at some lots, about US$10–20 per vehicle (2026 estimate), and US$10–20 per night for a drive-in campsite. Hiker-biker campsites are free.
What are the best hikes in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
Billy Goat Trail Section A at Great Falls is the standout: 1.7 miles of rock scrambling, 3.7 miles as a loop back on the towpath. The Olmsted Island boardwalk is a 0.2-mile accessible walk to the falls overlook. The Paw Paw Tunnel walk is 946 m through an unlit brick tunnel. For distance, the flat towpath runs the full 184.5 miles.
When is the best time to visit Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
April, May and October. Spring brings dogwood and comfortable temperatures; October has fall colour and clear views. June to August is hot and humid — start before 9:00. Winter is quiet, rarely below freezing for long, and best for spotting bald eagles and deer.
Do I need a reservation or permit?
No. There is no entry permit and no booking for the towpath or the free hiker-biker campsites. Drive-in campsites are self-registration on arrival. Only commercial filming and large organised events need advance permission.
Can I swim or wade in the Potomac River?
No. The current runs under calm-looking surface and people drown here every year. Stay out of the river and keep children away from the bank. The canal itself is shallow but not a swimming spot either.
Can I cycle the whole canal?
Yes. The towpath is flat and unpaved for 184.5 miles, and at Cumberland it links to the Great Allegheny Passage toward Pittsburgh. Most riders take 3–5 days, using the free hiker-biker campsites. A hybrid or gravel bike is better than a road bike.
Is the park accessible without a car?
The Georgetown end is walkable from central Washington, DC. For Great Falls, weekday buses reach Carderock and weekend buses reach Glen Echo, from where you walk or ride north on the towpath. Other sections need a car.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- officialNational Park Service — C&O Canal fees and passes
- officialNational Park Service — C&O Canal camping
- officialNational Park Service — Great Falls trail map (PDF)
- secondaryWikipedia — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, revision 5049046 (CC BY-SA 4.0)