• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

Directions

Visitors to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park enjoy a variety of history, nature, and recreation.  Six visitor centers and one contact station are available to serve the needs of the public. Please contact them to learn about park programs, ask questions, and request information. 

Park Maps are also available to help you plan your visit.

 
Georgetown Visitor Center
1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202-653-5190). For more information click on photo.
 
Great Falls Tavern Center with dogwood tree in bloom.
The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854 (301-767-3714).  For more information, click on photo.
 
Brunswick VC 2
The Brunswick Visitor Center is located at 40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716 (301-834-7100). For more information, click on photo.
Historical Photo
 
Ferry Hill
Ferry Hill Place is located at 16500 Sharspburg Pike, MD.  Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information, click on photo.


 
Photo Williamsport Visitor Center located at Cushwa Basin
The Williamsport Visitor Center is located at the Cushwa Basin, 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 (301-582-0813).  For more information, click on photo.
An NPS Photo
 
Bowleshancock edit for web
The Hancock Visitor Center is located in the historic Bowles House near lock 52 on the canal.  The address is 439 East Main Street, Hancock, MD 21750
(301-745-5877).  For more information, click on photo.
An NPS Photo
 
Photo Cumberland Visitor Center located in the Western Maryland Railway Building
The Cumberland Visitor Center is located in the Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 304, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-722-8226). For more information, click on photo.
An NPS Photo

Did You Know?

Photo upstream entrance Paw Paw Tunnel.

The Paw Paw Tunnel is 3,118 feet long and is lined with almost six million bricks.  The 2/3 mile long tunnel saved the canal builders almost six miles of construction along the Paw Paw bends of the Potomac River.  The project took twelve years to complete.  The tunnel was only wide enough for single lane traffic.