Hiking

Plan Like A Ranger

A trip to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers you an opportunity to discover historical, natural, and recreational treasures. While preparing for your visit please be aware of closures and current conditions, weather forecasts, and review the safety tips.

 

Hiker near Great Falls.

John Gensor

 

184.5 miles of towpath creates one of the longest biking trails in the continental US.

Jim Kerby

Hiking

Several park areas have interpretive trails and other hiking opportunities. Aside from the towpath, there are many great hiking trails in the Park: the Tunnel Hill Trail near the Paw Paw Tunnel, the Ferry Hill Trail near Sharpsburg, as well as 14 miles of trail near Great Falls (including the Billy Goat Trail).

View hiking maps and walking guides.

Hiking Tips:

· Bring water and food
· Wear sturdy footwear
· Be prepared for changing weather conditions
· Know your location
· Share the towpath with other users
· Pack out all trash. Trash bags are provided at dispensers located throughout the park.

 

Multi-day Trips

Lodging

Camping: Hiker-Biker and Drive-In campsites are located from Swains Lock to Cumberland.

Lockhouses: The C&O Canal Trust's Canal Quarters program offers several lodging options in lockhouses along the canal. Reserve a lockhouse today!

Canal Towns: Another great resource for learning more about what surrounding towns to the towpath have to offer is the Canal Towns Partnership website.

Well Water

Well water is generally available in across the park from mid-April (around the 15th) to mid-November (around the 15th).

Drive-In Campgrounds: Well water within the drive-in campgrounds is potable and treated with iodine - do NOT drink if you have any iodine allergies or if you are on medication for an overactive thyroid. In general, well water is clean and able to be used without additional treatment. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.

Hiker-Biker Campsites: Non-potable water is available in hiker-biker campsites. Please plan to filter, chemically treat, or boil the water before use for your own protection. The wells will remain in the hiker-biker campsites and, as long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source as handles will not be removed from these wells.

Visitor Centers, park buildings, and comfort stations are provided water by the nearby municipality and do not require drinking water sampling by the park. Please note that the Swains Lock campsite draws on the same municipal water as the Swains Lockhouse and will remain potable. 

Water availability is subject to change. Always bring plenty of water with you as a backup option. Please plan your trip accordingly.

Overnight Parking

Parking overnight is allowed in designated parking areas anywhere in the park without a permit. If you choose to park overnight in the Washington, DC or Montgomery County, MD sections of the park, you should submit your license plate number, description of your car, and when you expect to return to [e-mail]. If you park outside of Washington, DC and Montgomery County, you do not need to submit this information.

Parking lots are not patrolled regularly, so do not leave any valuables inside your vehicles. The National Park Service is not responsible for cars or their contents; parking is at your own risk.

Trash

This is a trash free park; take all trash away.

 

 

 

Nearby Trail Systems

• 

  Appalachian National Scenic Trail

  The Appalachian Trail or the "AT" crosses through portions of the C&O Canal.

• 

  Explore the Birth Waters of a Nation

  Potomac Heritage Trail

  Explore the Birth Waters of a Nation through the Potomac Heritage Trail

• 

  Capt. John Smith National Historic Trail

  Experience all that America’s first national water trail has to offer. Paddle through open waters, grassy marshes, and see majestic views.

• 

  Western Maryland Railroad Trail

  The Western Maryland Rail Trail parallels the C&O Canal Towpath for over 25 miles.

• 

  Capital Crescent Trail

  The Capital Crescent Trail follows an abandoned railroad right of way and extends 11 miles starting in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.