Take a Boat Ride on the Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Williamsport, MD Cushwa Basin visitor center is one of many charming stops along the Potomac River. In the 1870’s, Victor Cushwa partnered with Charles Embrey & Son in the operations of Cushwa Basin Coal company. Canal boats would load coal and bricks at the turning basin on their trips between Cumberland and Georgetown. 

Check the Williamsport, MD Cushwa Basin visitor center page for information on boat tour times and seasons. Typically boat tours are offered in the summer months and are free of charge.

Tours are limited to 10 people. Animals are not allowed, with the exception of service animals. Inclement weather may cause tour to be cancelled; call the Williamsport Visitor Center for updates. Tickets are FREE and available on a first-come first served basis, one hour before the trip. Please stop by the Williamsport Visitor Center on the day you would like to attend. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance.

Through the visitor center, you can enter the old Cushwa warehouse. This large room provides a sweeping glance out from the coal portage onto the basin where coal would have been swept into waiting canal boats as they made their way to and from Georgetown. Many of the objects in this room were either left behind by the warehouse workers or fished out of the bottom of the turning basin. These presence of these objects creates an immersive, rustic atmosphere.

Details

Duration

1-1 Hours

Boat tours usually last 45 minutes. 

Activity

Boat Tour

Age(s)

0-99

All ages welcome.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Boat Programs are free. 

Location

Williamsport, MD

Address: 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 
Phone: [phone]
 

Reservations

No

Tickets are FREE and available on a first-come first served basis, one hour before the trip. Please stop by the Williamsport Visitor Center on the day you would like to attend. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance.

Season

Summer

Boat rides are typically offered in the summer months.

Time of Day

Day

Boat rides are offered multiple times during the days.

Accessibility Information

Animals are not allowed on boat tours, with the exception of service animals. Visitor center is wheelchair accessible, but wheelchairs are unable to be on the boats.