The rushing river cascades over the rocks of the Potomac

National Historical Park · DC, MD, WV

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.

Entrance fees

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle

    Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.

    $20.00

  • Entrance - Motorcycle

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers to the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and at Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.

    $15.00

  • Entrance - Per Person

    Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and at Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.

    $10.00

  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

    Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc... Vehicles with passenger capacity of fewer than 16 persons, $20 for the vehicle. Vehicles with a passenger capacity of 16 or more persons, $10 per person age 16 and over. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. Age and pass exemptions apply. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle.

    $100.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

    The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.

    $100.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Van

    The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.

    $40.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

    The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.

    $40.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan

    The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.

    $25.00

Operating hours

C&O Canal Towpath

The towpath is open 365 days a year.

Campgrounds

  • Antietam Creek Campground

  • Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Big Woods Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Devils Alley Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Fifteenmile Creek Campground

  • Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Indian Flats Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Licking Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Little Pool Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Marsden Tract Group Campground

  • Mccoys Ferry Campground

  • North Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Paw Paw Tunnel Campground

  • Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Spring Gap Campground

  • Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Town Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • Turtle Run Hiker-Biker Campsite

  • White Rock Hiker-Biker Campsite