• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Paw Paw Tunnel Towpath Open

    The rockslide at Paw Paw Tunnel towpath has been cleared. The towpath is now open for hikers and bikers.

  • Georgetown Boat Rides Suspended

    Boat rides at Georgetown are suspended until further notice. For a mule-drawn boat ride please contact Great Falls Tavern.

Parks for People

Biking along the C&O Canal

Bicyclists Along the C&O Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park seeks to continue promoting and expanding the use of the park among densely populated and diverse communities as a close-to-home recreational resource. Once method for connecting with nearby communities and promoting use of the park is through the Bicycle Loan program, allowing visitors to check out a bike for up to 3 hours for use along the C&O Canal towpath. There is no cost associated with the program as all bicycles were acquired through grant funding or by donation. The Bicycle Loan Program significantly enhances the connection of visitors and communities to the park, by providing them with close-to-home recreation and increasing their access to explore the C&O Canal.

During 2012 the bicycle loan program has become quite popular in Williamsport, Maryland. When promoted during the 2012 Let's Move Outside C&O Canal Junior Ranger Day Camp, children were very excited to know they could come back and go for a bike ride with their families.

Did You Know?

Photo of park rangers interpreting building the canal.

Canal historians estimate approximately 35,000 laborers helped dig the canal as well as build aqueducts, culverts, locks, lock houses, etc.  It took 22 years to build the canal from Georgetown, DC to Cumberland, MD.  Much of the workforce were immigrants from Ireland and western Europe.