National Historical Park · Washington, D.C., Maryland +1 more
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.
Things to do
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Guided Tours
- Boat Tour
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Ice Skating
- Paddling
- Junior Ranger Program
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Shopping
Weather & when to go
The Washington, DC, area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The climate gradually gets cooler and wetter further west along the canal where the elevation is higher.
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
Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker Campsite
Big Woods Hiker-Biker Campsite
Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker Campsite
Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite
Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker Campsite
Devils Alley Hiker-Biker Campsite
Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Campsite
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite
Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker Campsite
Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite
Indian Flats Hiker-Biker Campsite
Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker Campsite
Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker Campsite
Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite
Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker Campsite
Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker Campsite
Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
Turtle Run Hiker-Biker Campsite
Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
Little Pool Hiker-Biker Campsite
Licking Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker Campsite
Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker Campsite
North Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite
Purslane Run Hiker-Biker Campsite
Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker Campsite
Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker Campsite
Town Creek Hiker-Biker Campsite
Antietam Creek Campground
Fifteenmile Creek Campground
Marsden Tract Group Campground
Mccoys Ferry Campground
Paw Paw Tunnel Campground
Spring Gap Campground
White Rock Hiker-Biker Campsite
FAQ
- How much does it cost to visit Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
- Entrance to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park costs $20.00 (Entrance - Private Vehicle), $15.00 (Entrance - Motorcycle), $10.00 (Entrance - Per Person). The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry at every NPS site.
- What are the hours at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
- The towpath is open 365 days a year.
- Do I need a reservation for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
- No timed-entry reservation is currently required to enter Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Campgrounds and permits may still need to be booked separately on Recreation.gov.
Keep exploring
More parks in District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia.