C & O Canal
4.6 (39)park
4.6 (39)Public outdoor grounds are open year-round during daylight hours. Visitor center hours vary by location.
A historic 184.5-mile waterway along the Potomac, offering an intact towpath for long walks, cycling, and paddling.
Description
Stretching from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland, the route preserves the second major canal dug in the United States. Begun in 1828 with ambitions of reaching Pittsburgh, construction ended in 1850 once railroads eclipsed the canal's utility. Historic locks and lockhouses line the way, including options for overnight lockhouse rentals, while refurbished watered stretches feature boat ramps and canal boat rides.