• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

Operating Hours & Seasons

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is open during daylight hours year round. The Great Falls Tavern, Williamsport and Cumberland visitor centers operate year round, while other park visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. All facilities are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. For hours of operation and visitor center information please select from the following list of visitor center locations.

Georgetown: Open mid-April to September
1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-653-5190 

Great Falls Tavern: Open daily 9:00-4:30
11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854, 301-767-3714 

Brunswick: Open Friday, 10:00-2:00, Saturday 10:00-4:00, and Sunday 1:00-4:00 
40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD  21716, 301-834-7100 

Ferry Hill Place:Open weekends Memorial Day to Labor Day
Sharpsburg Pike, MD 21782
For information call the Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813

Williamsport: Open Wednesday through Sunday 9:00-4:30
205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795, 301-582-0813

Hancock:Open Memorial Day to mid-October
439 E. Main St., Hancock, MD 21750, 301-745-5877

Cumberland: Open daily 9:00-5:00
Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 100, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502
301-722-8226   

Did You Know?

Photo Potowmack Company canal lock at Great Falls Virginia.

George Washington's dream of connecting the eastern states with the western frontier led to the creation of the Patowmack Company.  Canals were built around unnavigable parts of the Potomac River for improved commerce.  The C&O Canal inherited the right of way after the Patowmack Company's demise.