Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia Blue Bells in bloom along the towpath.

NPS/Connor

Who designed the C&O Canal?

The early idea of the C&O Canal was envisioned by George Washington, who dreamed of a canal in Washington, DC like the Erie Canal in New York. While Washington originally envisioned smaller, skirting canals along the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Company was chartered in 1825 to construct a canal that connected the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River Valley. Construction began in 1828 and was completed in 1850. While the canal was originally intended to reach Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the canal was stopped short in Cumberland, Maryland due to the abundance of coal in the nearby area and the lack of funds to continue the project.

Was the canal successful?

The heyday of the C&O Canal was the 1870s. Unfortunately, canal transportation in the United States was a short-lived dream and the C&O Canal Company went out of business in 1924.

Why did the canal go out of business?

At its inception in 1828, canal waterways were one of the fastest ways to transport large goods across long distances. However, canals were quickly outpaced by the growth of the railroad. In fact, the B&O Railroad broke ground in Baltimore on the exact same day, July 4, 1828, as the C&O Canal broke ground in Little Falls, Maryland. The development of the railroad quickly outpaced the slow, meandering pace of canals. The increased competition with the railroads, coupled with flooding and damage to canal structures, forced the canal into closure in 1924.

How did the canal become a national park?

After the C&O Canal was sold to the U.S. government in 1938, it mostly sat unmaintained. In 1954, a proposal was set forward to turn the neglected remnants of the canal into a scenic parkway. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, a neighbor of the canal, strongly opposed the development of the parkway. In his rebuttal, he invited journalists and conservationists to accompany him on a hike of the entire length of the canal to publicize its history and beauty. The success of the hike led the Washington Post to reverse its stance to oppose the parkway. In 1956, the National Park Service abandoned the idea of a parkway. In 1971, the park was officially designated a National Historical Park by Congress.

What’s the difference between a National Park and a National Historical Park?

Generally, a national park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources. A national historical park is an area that generally extends beyond single properties or buildings, and its resources include a mix of historic and sometimes significant natural features.

What are some of the historic features of the canal that remain on the towpath?

The park preserves historic resources on the canal, not limited to aqueducts, locks, waste weirs, lock gates, lock houses, and more.

What is the condition of the canal today?

The canal today is used by millions of people every year for hiking, biking, and other recreational activities. The original towpath is the main trail utilized by park visitors. Approximately 25 miles of the canal is watered and a several locks are still in working condition.

What kind of things can visitors do on the canal today?

Originally built for mule travel, today hikers, bicyclists, and runners enjoy the canal’s towpath. Numerous access points along the park’s nearly 20,000 acres provide visitors the opportunity to experience the rich history and natural resources of the Potomac River Valley. Watered sections of the canal provide further recreation for canoeists, boaters, and anglers.

Does the park have mules?

Yes, the park offers a historic mule-drawn boat ride out of our Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. Today, park mules work in teams of two to pull the boat and give visitors a ride back in time.

Is there a cost to visit the park?

The only access point that collects a fee is the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. All other access points are free. Read more about park fees.

How long does it take to ride the entire towpath end to end?

Back when mules pulled canal boats laden with up to 130 tons of coal, it would take about a week to get from Cumberland to Washington, DC. Today, cyclists complete the 184.5-mile ride in anywhere from 3-7 days, depending on the pace. Some cyclists also choose to add in the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rail trail that connects the terminus of the canal in Cumberland, Maryland to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Does the C&O Canal offer camping?

Yes, the canal offers two different types of campsites, primitive Hiker-Biker Campsites and reservable Fee Campgrounds.

What is a trash free park?

In 2006, the C&O Canal adopted the seven principles of the Leave No Trace program. There are no trash barrels or dumpsters available at the C&O Canal. Visitors are encouraged to pack in and pack out any trash that they bring into the park.

Does the C&O Canal have partners?

The park has two official park partners: The C&O Canal Trust and the Friends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern.

How do visitors report issues or emergencies to the park?

For general information or to report a non-life threatening issue, please [e-mail]. To report a non-life threatening emergency, please call 301-714-2235. To report an emergency, please call 866-677-6677.