Alert, Severity, caution, Hiking in Gold Mine TractVisitors 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.more
Rabies Alert
Alert, Severity, caution, Rabies AlertPlease do not approach wild animals or allow wild animals to approach you. If you observe sick or suspicious animals, please notify Dispatch at 866-677-6677. For more information visit the Maryland Department of Health rabies page.more
Information
Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited Milepost 173.37 to 184.5
Open, Section C. Trail closure on East end from the Towpath access point to the first trail fork, due to tree damage. The remainder of the trail is open.
Towpath Detour. Due to a washout half a mile below the boat ramp, the pedestrian footbridge has been relocated 100 feet upstream from its original location along the towpath. Follow a designated pathway from the towpath, across the footbridge and stream, and back onto the towpath.
High Water Detour - During high water events the towpath between milepost 84.4 and milepost 89.1 may be covered in water. A detour is posted on local roads. Obey closure signs.
Towpath (MP 89.5-93)
Delays, towpath access between miles 89.5 and 93. During the week of March 3rd, towpath repair work is anticipated, weather dependent.
Changed, towpath access. Access the towpath from Cushwa Basin requires navigating a steep set of stairs or taking gravel rail-trail to crossing. Learn more about Alternate Parking and Towpath Access Points.
Milepost 100–150
Including Big Pool, MD; Hancock, MD; Little Orleans, MD
Towpath Detour, Miles 106 - 106.8, Detour from the towpath across the canal to Dam No. 5 Road. Follow the shoulder of Dam No. 5 Road on a temporary mulch trail. Use a temporary wooden stairway to rejoin the towpath upstream of the project.
Towpath Detour,The bridge across Polly Pond Creek is closed. Park users should use the signed towpath detour directs them to the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which runs alongside the towpath. To take the detour, leave the towpath at Lock 56 (mile 136.2) using the causeway across the canal. Then, travel about 2 miles along the Western Maryland Rail Trail until you reach the bridge over Lock 55 (mile 134.1).
Well water is generally available in across the park from mid-April (around the 15th) to mid-November (around the 15th).
The well water in hiker-biker campsites are signed non-potable. Water from wells at paid campgrounds will remain potable and safe for drinking, cooking, or washing. Well handles are removed in mid-November each year to protect against freeze as per normal operating procedures.
The park works to ensure that there is a more reliable water source for visitors in the park and that the drinking water that is provided is as safe as it can possibly be, especially considering that our wells are in a flood zone. The park will maintain potable water in a targeted number of wells in fee campgrounds. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.
For hiker-biker campgrounds, the wells will be signed as non-potable and we ask that visitors bring their own water supply or water sanitizing equipment to treat well water before use. As long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source.
Drive-In Campgrounds: Well water within the drive-in campgrounds is potable and treated with iodine - do NOT drink if you have any iodine allergies or if you are on medication for an overactive thyroid. In general, well water is clean and able to be used without additional treatment. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.
Hiker-Biker Campsites: Non-potable water is available in hiker-biker campsites. Please plan to filter, chemically treat, or boil the water before use for your own protection. Well handles are removed in mid-November each year to protect against freeze as per normal operating procedures.
Visitor Centers, park buildings, and comfort stations are provided water by the nearby municipality and do not require drinking water sampling by the park. Please note that the Swains Lock campsite draws on the same municipal water as the Swains Lockhouse and will remain potable.
Water availability is subject to change. Always bring plenty of water with you as a backup option. Please plan your trip accordingly.
Off ►Lock 3 (MM 0.5) - Potable
Off ►Fletchers Cove - Lower Parking (MM 3.2) - Potable
Off ►Fletchers Cove - Upper Parking (MM 3.2) - Potable
Off ►Lock 5 (MM 5) - Potable
Off ►Lock 10 (MM 8.8) - Potable
Off ►Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5) - Potable
Off ►Marsden Tract Campground (MM 11.5) - Potable
Off ►Anglers Access (MM 12.2) - Potable On ►Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3) - Potable
Off ►Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.6) - Potable
Off ►Swains Hiker-Biker (MM 16.7) - Potable
Off ►Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22.8) - Potable
Off Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker (MM 26.1)
Off Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker (MM 30.5)
Off Turtle Run Hiker-Biker (MM 34.4)
Off Marble Quarrry Hiker-Biker (MM 38.2)
Off Indian Flats Hiker-Biker (MM 42.4)
Off Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker (MM 47.7)
Off Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker (MM 50.3)
Off Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
Off Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker (MM 62.9)
Off ►Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6) - Potable
Off Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker (MM 75.4)
Off Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker (MM 79.7)
Off Big Woods Hiker-Biker (MM 82.4)
Off Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 90.8)
Off Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker (MM 95.2) On ►Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7) - Potable
Off Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 101.2)
Off Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
Off North Mountain Hiker-Biker (MM 109.2)
Off ►McCoys Ferry Campground (MM 110) - Potable
Off Licking Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 116)
Off Little Pool Hiker-Biker (MM 120.7)
Off White Rock Hiker-Biker (MM 126.5)
Off Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker (MM 129.9)
Off Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 133.6)
Off Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker (MM 139.2)
Off ►Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9) - Potable
Off Devils Alley Hiker-Biker (MM 144.5)
Off Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker (MM 149.3)
Off Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker (MM 154.1)
Off Paw Paw Tunnel (MM 155.2)
Off ►Paw Paw Campground (MM 156.1) - Potable
Off Purslane Run Hiker-Biker (MM 156.9)
Off Town Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 162.1)
Off Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker (MM 164.8)
Off Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker (MM 169.1)
Off ►Spring Gap Campground (MM 173.3) - Potable
Off Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker (MM 175.3)
Off Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 180.1) On ►Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5) - Potable
Due to construction projects, maintenance activities, and weather, water levels in the lower portions of the canal are likely to vary throughout the year.
This can affect a variety of activities throughout these areas.The park currently actively manages water levels within two main sections of the lower portions of the canal: between Lock 4 (MP 0.54) and Lock 5/Inlet Lock 1 (MP 5.02) and between Lock 17 (MP 13.99) and Lock 23/Inlet Lock 2 (22.12).
Below, the term “watered”* refers to the canal when it is holding water. The term, “de-watered”* refers to the canal when it is not holding water. When de-watered, it can be assumed the water level will not support boating in the canal. *Water levels can change unexpectedly.
Last Update: 3/27/2025 - Portions of the Canal are anticipated to be re-watered mid to late April 2025, weather and canal condition dependent.
Current Status Between Locks 3-4: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 4-5: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 5-6: De-watered
Current Status at Widewater: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 17-19: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 19-20:De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 20-21: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 21-22: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 22-23: De-watered
Current Status Between Lock 44 - Conococheague Aqueduct: De-watered
Raging Potomac River well above flood stage at Great Falls Overlook, summer 2018
Section A of the Billy Goat Trail often closes due to flooding. Under normal conditions, the trail is closed when the gauge at Little Falls reaches 5 feet and reopens when the gauge falls to 4.8 feet. However, under certain circumstances, the trail may be closed at lower levels. Please call the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 301-739-4200 during regular business hours for the latest information on trail closures.
