Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Hours
Open daily · Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance Fee
$20.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Trailie
Build your Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park itinerary
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Main Chesapeake & Ohio Canal highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Williamsport, MD
Explore this park
Alerts(4)
Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
NPS detailsMultiple items are closed due to hazardous conditions or maintenance. See below for more details.
DC Water Sewer Overflow
NPS detailsDC Water is managing a sanitary sewer overflow from the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 10. Anyone with questions or in need of support can reach out to DC Water’s 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 or visit https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/potomac-interceptor-collapse.
Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155
NPS detailsHorses are prohibited between Little Tonoloway (mile 124.5) and Paw Paw (mile 155) due to recent and ongoing towpath resurfacing. See more for details.
Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
NPS detailsVisitors 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.
Common questions
Planning Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
