Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

National Historical Park · District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia

Closure Caution Information See 4 current alerts

A gravel travel next to a watered canal surrounded by bright greenery
Photo: NPS

Current alerts (4)

  • Closure

    Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

    Multiple items are closed due to hazardous conditions or maintenance. See below for more details.

    More from the park: Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest

  • Caution

    DC Water Sewer Overflow

    DC 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.

    More from the park: DC Water Sewer Overflow

  • Caution

    Hiking in Gold Mine Tract

    Visitors 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.

    More from the park: Hiking in Gold Mine Tract

  • Information

    Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155

    Horses are prohibited between Little Tonoloway (mile 124.5) and Paw Paw (mile 155) due to recent and ongoing towpath resurfacing. See more for details.

    More from the park: Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited - Mile 124.5 to 155

Hours

C&O Canal Towpath

Usual hours: C&O Canal Towpath
Every daySunrise to Sunset

The towpath is open 365 days a year.

Visitor centers

Brunswick Visitor Center

Brunswick Visitor Center

Usual hours: Brunswick Visitor Center
Monday – FridayClosed
Saturday10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday1:00PM - 4:00PM

C&O Canal exhibits are open when the Brunswick Heritage Museum is open

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Brunswick Visitor Center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Cumberland Visitor Center

Usual hours: Cumberland Visitor Center
Monday – TuesdayClosed
Wednesday – Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM

Coming up:

  • Nov 26: Closed Thanksgiving Day (closed)
  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Standard Hours

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Cumberland Visitor Center

Georgetown Visitor Center

Georgetown Visitor Center

Usual hours: Georgetown Visitor Center
Monday – TuesdayClosed
Wednesday – Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM

Open for the Season

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Georgetown Visitor Center

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Usual hours: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Monday – TuesdayClosed
Wednesday – Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM

Coming up:

  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Standard Hours

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Williamsport Visitor Center

Williamsport Visitor Center

Usual hours: Williamsport Visitor Center
Monday – TuesdayClosed
Wednesday – Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM

Coming up:

  • Nov 26: Closed Thanksgiving Day (closed)
  • Dec 1 – Feb 28: Winter Hours

Standard Hours

Visitor center page on nps.gov: Williamsport Visitor Center

About this 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.