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Great Falls Canal Boat Rides

Great Falls Canal Boat Rides Will Resume in 2019

The Charles F. Mercer will not run in 2018, rides will resume in 2019.

Construction of the Watered Structures Locks 5-22 Project is underway.

All of the hiking trails at Great Falls will remain open, and towpath detours will be kept to a minimum. Visitors will be able to travel around the construction sites using detours directly adjacent to the closed sections of the towpath at each of the eight work areas. The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center will remain open and seasonal interpretive programs will continue.

 

Enjoy a Mule-Drawn Boat Ride

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 people who lived and worked floating on the canal.

Cost: $8.00 for adults (ages 16-61), $6.00 for seniors (ages 62 +), and $5.00 for children (ages 4-15). Children aged three and under ride free.

Purchase tickets and board the boat at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854.

Ten or more people are required to make advance reservations for the boat ride. Otherwise, seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Charles F. Mercer boat capacity is 65 people. The boat programs last approximately one hour.

Public Boat Rides Schedule - The Charles F. Mercer will not run in 2018, rides will resume in 2019.

Boat Season	Start Date	End Date	Days Offered	Times of Day
Spring	April	May	Saturday and Sunday	11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Summer	June	September	Friday, Saturday and Sunday	11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Fall	September	October	Saturday and Sunday	11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm

Please call ahead as special circumstances may affect this schedule.

 

To Reserve Tickets for a group of 10 or more:

During Visitor Center operating hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm) one of our rangers or volunteers will be happy to assist you with making a reservation on the Charles F. Mercer canal boat at Great Falls. You can call the visitor center at 301-767-3714.

If you call after operating hours, leave a message and you will be contacted by a ranger to confirm the details of your reservation. Please make sure you speak with a ranger before the day of your requested boat tour.

Interested In Bringing a School Group?

Check out our Field Trips webpage for programs both on and off the canal boat.

The Charles F. Mercer is also available for your private event

Call 301-767-3714 for details.