What Is Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was a 22-year endeavor, envisioned by George Washington and launched by John Quincy Adams, to create a shipping route between the Chesapeake Bay and Ohio River!
What Makes It Beautiful?
I love the stillness of the canal as it winds its way across 184.5 miles of Maryland! It doesn’t matter to me that it didn’t make it all the way to Ohio or that it was doomed, like many canals, by the arrival of the railroad. As a canal, it’s eternally peaceful and serene, and it wanders along, providing great company for afternoon picnickers or anyone who might enjoy a leisurely boat ride, pulled by a team of mules from the shore!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the C&O Canal Trust!
- Donate to the C&O Canal Trust!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
There are 7 visitor centers to visit between Washington, DC and Cumberland, Maryland! I visited the Great Falls Tavern, which is located at:
11710 MacArthur Blvd
Potomac, MD 20854
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
The canal is open every day from dawn to dusk, but the visitor centers all have different hours! Check the National Park Service website to find out the details!
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