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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkPhoto canal mules Lil and Ida wait for the Canal Clipper to lock through lock 20
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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Public Canal Boat Rides
 
Photo of canal boat at Great Falls.
NPS PHOTO
Don't just read about history, experience it! Ride a canal boat at Great Falls or Georgetown.

Take a trip back in time to the 1870’s!

Ride along the historic C&O Canal in a boat pulled by mules. Experience rising 8 feet in a lock. Hear park rangers in period clothing describe what life was like for the families that lived and worked on the canal. Enjoy life at a slower pace.

One hour trip cost:

Georgetown: $5.00 per visitor. Children age three and under ride free. 

Great Falls: $5.00 per visitor. Children age three and under ride free.

Ten or more people are required to make advance reservations on either boat. Otherwise, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boat visitor capacity is 70 people.  The program lasts approximately one hour.

School Groups: Special times (9:45, 12:15, etc.) and rates of $4 per person may be available for groups of students (includes chaperones).     

 

Notice: The canal boats may operate on a split schedule during part of the year.  Rides are scheduled to start April 2008.

Canal Boat Schedule:
Georgetown: Public boat rides are offered during the spring, summer, and fall months. The boat season usually lasts from early April through the end of October. Canal boat rides run five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Please call the visitor center for specific dates and times as well as additional information. Georgetown Visitor Center 1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW Washington, D.C. 202-653-5190. The Georgetown Visitor Center is closed Monday and Tuesday during the boat season.

Great Falls: Public boat rides are offered during the spring, summer, and fall months. The boat season usually lasts from early April through the end of October. Canal boat rides run five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Please call the visitor center for specific days and times, or refer to the Canaller for alternative programs. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD 301-767-3714.

A number of C&O Canal NHP boat rides have special themes this season. These boats depart each Saturday and Sunday at 11AM according to the following schedule:

 

The Georgetown

1057 Thomas Jefferson St W

Washington DC 20007-5248

202-653-5190

 

The Charles F. Mercer

11710 MacArthur Blvd

Potomac MD 20854-1659

301-767-3714

 

Music on the C&O Canal

MAY 3, MAY 17, MAY 31, JUN 14,

JUN 28, JUL 12, JUL 26, AUG 9,

AUG 23, SEP 6, SEP 20, OCT 4, OCT 18

 

Music on the C&O Canal

MAY 4, MAY 18, JUN 1, JUN 15, JUN 29, JUL 13, JUL 27, AUG 10, AUG 24, SEP 7, SEP 21, OCT 5, OCT 19

Story Telling on the C&O Canal

APR 6, APR 20, MAY 4, MAY 18, JUN 1, JUN 15, JUN 29, JUL 13, JUL 27,

AUG 10, AUG 24, SEP 7, SEP 21, OCT 5, OCT 19

  

Story Telling on the C&O Canal

APR 5, MAY 3, MAY 17, MAY 31, JUN 14, JUN 28, JUL 12, JUL 26, AUG 9, AUG 23, SEP 6, SEP 20, OCT 4, OCT 18 

Family Life on the C&O Canal

APR 27, MAY 10, MAY 25, JUN 7,

JUN 22, JUL 5, JUL 20, AUG 2, AUG 17, AUG 30, SEP 14, SEP 27, OCT 12,

OCT 25 

 

Family Life on the C&O Canal

APR 12, MAY 10, MAY 25, JUN 7, JUN 22, JUL 5, JUL 20, AUG 2, AUG 17,

AUG 30, SEP 27, OCT 12, OCT 25 

 

Water, Friend and Foe

MAY 24, JUN 21, AUG 16, SEP 28,

OCT 26

 

Water, Friend and Foe

APR 26, MAY 24, JUN 21, AUG 16,

SEP 28, OCT 26

 

Evolution of Georgetown

APR 13, MAY 11, JUN 8, JUL 19, AUG 3

 

Life at the Great Falls

MAY 11, JUL 6, AUG 3, AUG 31, OCT 11

Tragedy on the C&O Canal

JUL 6, AUG 31, OCT 11

 

Civil War on the C&O Canal

APR 19, SEP 13, SEP 14

Georgetown In and Out

SEP 13

 

Nature and the C&O Canal

JUN 8, Jul 19

 



2008 Boat Schedule

April 2008

Great Falls: Thursday and Friday; 11:00, 1:30 and 3:00. Saturday; 11:00, 1:30,and 3:00

Georgetown: Wednesday; 11:00 and 3:00. Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

May 2008

Great Falls: Wednesday through Friday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Saturday and Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

Georgetown: Wednesday through Friday; 11:00 and 3:00. Saturday and Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

June 2008

Great Falls: Wednesday through Friday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Saturday and Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30.

Georgetown: Wednesday through Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

July-August 2008

Great Falls: Wednesday through Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

Georgetown: Wednesday through Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

September-October 2008

Great Falls: Wednesday through Friday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00. Saturday; 11:00, 1:30, 3;00, and 4:30. Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

Georgetown: Wednesday through Friday; 11:00 and 3:00. Saturday and Sunday; 11:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

Please Note: This schedule is subject to change without notice. Please contact the Georgetown Visitor Center (202-653-5190) or the Great Falls Visitor Center (301-767-3714) for the most up to date information.

Photo of Nell the mule
Meet The Mules
The mules which pull the canal boats at Georgetown and Great Falls are the favorite park employees.
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Photo Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.
Visitor Center location and hours.
Where can you gain more knowledge about the C&O Canal?
more...
Historic photo of C&O canal boat circa 1910.
Private canal boat rides.
Can I rent a canal boat for special events?
more...
Historic photo of C&O canal boat circa 1910.
Public canal boat rides.
Take a trip back in time!
more...
Photo of former Georgetown Flour Mill.  

Did You Know?
The C&O Canal begins in Georgetown. The canal made extra money by selling water to numerous factories in Georgetown to power water driven machinery such as water wheels, etc. Many factories were located next to canal property.

Last Updated: April 18, 2008 at 13:33 EST