Hiking

Visitors are invited to join a short tour and talk at the Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center exploring the history of the Potomac River corridor as a vital transportation route through the Appalachian Mountains. The program highlights the active years of the C&O Canal while also examining the people, trade, and ideas that moved through the region before the canal was built and after its operations ended. Through stories of transportation, industry, and daily life, participants will gain a broader understanding of the canal’s role in shaping the region’s history.

Take a guided tour through a turn-of-the-century mansion home owned by members of the Carnegie Family on Cumberland Island.

Discover fascinating fossils and evidence of ancient ecosystems with a ranger in this 20-30 minute talk. throughout the summer. Meet at the Quarry Exhibit Hall shuttle stop to learn more about the processes that have shaped today's landscape. Please Note : Program topics can change due to unforeseen schedule changes. Programs may also be canceled due to adverse weather, for visitor or employee safety, or because of staffing shortages caused by emergencies such as fire or medical conditions.

Stop by the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center through the month of June to learn about sustainable fishing! For centuries people fished the Potomac River for food and sport. Today, many still use the canal as a favorite fishing spot. Through hands-on activities, you can learn more about the different species of fish that inhabit the Potomac River and the canal, understand safe fishing practices, and discovery the ecosystems that rely on fish.

After the American Revolution but before becoming the nation’s first president, George Washington had another revolutionary idea – a canal system that would promote expansion into the Ohio River Valley and beyond. Join us at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center to learn more about George Washington’s life, explore his dream of a canal system along the Potomac River, and discover how that vision helped to shape American expansion and commerce for over a century.

Explore the life of a lockkeeper and family in the 1870's time period with a guided tour of one of the C&O Canal's original lockhouses. Girl Scouts offer free tours of the lockhouse and grounds at Lock 24. In addition, there may be various Victorian Era demonstrations such as laundry, cider pressing, making lemonade, churning butter or ice cream and more. Visitors are welcome to participate in the activities and taste the results. Open every Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm, March 21 st through July 12 th and August 16 th through December 12 th . The lockhouse will be closed for bad weather.

Join a Park Ranger for a unique demonstration of one of C&O Canal's preserved historic locks! Learn about how the canal's lock system enabled the canal to operate for almost 100 years transporting goods and people along the water from Georgetown and Cumberland. Come see and hear some of the unique features of the canal and learn about the people who operated the locks during the canal's operational years.

This program is held beside the flagpole at the Memorial Plaza. Called to Action is a ranger program revisiting the Flight 93 story within the context of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. This 30-minute program is held where visitors can sit on benches and listen to a ranger talk about aspects of the terrorists' plan, personal stories of passengers and crew members, as well as the obstacles the passengers and crew members overcame to thwart Flight 93 from hitting the terrorists' planned target.

This program is held beside the flagpole at the Memorial Plaza. Called to Action is a ranger program revisiting the Flight 93 story within the context of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. This 30-minute program is held where visitors can sit on benches and listen to a ranger talk about aspects of the terrorists' plan, personal stories of passengers and crew members, as well as the obstacles the passengers and crew members overcame to thwart Flight 93 from hitting the terrorists' planned target.

This program is held beside the flagpole at the Memorial Plaza. Called to Action is a ranger program revisiting the Flight 93 story within the context of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. This 30-minute program is held where visitors can sit on benches and listen to a ranger talk about aspects of the terrorists' plan, personal stories of passengers and crew members, as well as the obstacles the passengers and crew members overcame to thwart Flight 93 from hitting the terrorists' planned target.

Join us for our Music on the Canal program! Musicians from the Northern Virginia Dulcimer Group will they share their interpretations of 19th century music and perform songs on a variety of historical instruments, including dulcimers, banjo, and upright bass. Stop in to listen and learn about music of the canal era during your visit! Event may take place outside or indoors depending on the weather.

Built in 1801 by Abner Cloud, Jr., the house is considered one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in Washington D.C. Pre-dating the construction of the C&O Canal, the home of Abner Cloud served as the center of the family farm and fishing business. Tour the Abner Cloud House and learn more about early 19th century farming, architecture, and the people who lived and worked on the property. The three-story, stone home is operated in parntership with The Colonial Dames of America and is open for tours on the first Sunday of each month from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The Abner Cloud House is located at Fletchers Cove . Admission to Fletchers Cove and the Abner Cloud House is free.