10 Reasons to Explore the C&O Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, or C&O Canal for short, is 184.5 miles long stretching from Georgetown in Washington DC to Cumberland Maryland.

The canal and towpath have become one of our favorite places to explore. A towpath is a path beside a canal that was originally used as a pathway for horses towing barges.

Along the historic Canal, there are 7 different visitor centers with different schedules and events. The Great Falls Visitor Center is the only park that collects entrance fees.

C&O Canal History

The C&O canal was built as a way to move westward. The canal was a way to transport things between the coalfields in the Allegheny Mountains to the more urban areas on the Chesapeake Bay.

Construction on the canal began in 1828 and it was completed in 1850. By the time the canal reached Cumberland, it was already outdated as the B&O Railroad had already reached Cumberland, MD years before.

Though the railroad provided a faster way to travel with more space, the canal remained in operation until 1924 when it was damaged beyond repair by flooding.

C&O Canal Today

The C&O Canal today is just a reminder of the past. The towpath is easily traversed by all ages, but much of the canal that was dug in the 1800’s has been reclaimed by nature. Most areas of the canal have little to no water in the actual canal.

There are sections that have been maintained by the park service to look like they did when the canal was in use. The best places to see the canal with water are around Georgetown and also at the Williamsport Visitor Center.

Fun Facts about the C&O Canal

Great Allegheny Passage

The C&O Canal towpath connects to the Great Allegheny Passage in Cumberland.  The Great Allegheny Passage is a 150-mile trail that spans from Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA. So if you biked 234.5 miles you could go from Georgetown to Pittsburgh.

Great Falls

The C&O Canal Great Falls visitor center is located inside what once was the Great Falls Tavern a lockkeeper’s house turned hotel. The hotel was visited by congressmen and other political officials from DC.

Paw Paw Tunnel

The Paw Paw Tunnel is a 3,118-foot long canal tunnel on the C&O canal. Building the tunnel saved the C&O Canal company from having to build 6 miles of canal along the river. The Paw Paw Tunnel took 14 years to build and opened in October 1850.

The Paw Paw tunnel is considered an engineering marvel along the C&O Canal. Building the tunnel they used more than 6 million bricks.

10 Reasons to Explore the C&O Canal

#1 Part of Transportation History

The C&O Canal is a part of American transportation history. Visiting one of the visitor centers is a great way to learn more about the canal and life during the time period it was in operation.

The canal provides a way to learn about history without sitting in a classroom instead you can get a visual and hands-on experience by walking the towpath and exploring the lockhouse areas.

#2 Most of the C&O Canal is Free

As I mentioned above the canal is free to explore except at the Great Falls Visitor Center entrance.

#3 An Easy Way to Explore Nature

The Canal towpath is easily traversed by all ages. We have even taken an umbrella stroller along portions of the trail before.

Though the towpath is relatively smooth it is dirt and gravel so there can be muddy areas when it rains.

#4 You Can See Animals

In the areas of the canal that have water, we have often spotted turtles and fish as well as a number of ducks.

In the drier areas of the trail, we have spotted deer, a variety of birds and even a few frogs.

#5 C&O Canal Boat Rides

Two locations on the C&O Canal provide boat rides. Be sure to check the website to make sure the boat tour is running. Weather among other things can cause the programs to be canceled.

The Great Falls visitor area offers Mule-drawn boat rides on an 1870’s packet boat. This ride is an extra charge.

The Williamsport visitor area offers boat rides on a 1920’s electric launch boat. These rides are offered from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This Free boat ride is about an hour long.

#6 Biking

As you explore the C&O canal you will see many bikers. The towpath is one of our favorite places to bike. The path is smooth and easy to ride on and you are able to be away from cars and enjoy riding in nature.

#7 You can Stay in a Lockhouse

Six of the lockhouses along the canal are available to rent. Each of the Canal Quarters lockhouses can sleep up to 8 people. Each of the homes is decorated to represent a different time period. Some of the homes have bathrooms and electricity and others have port-a-johns and lanterns.

#8 There are Few Crowds

The great falls area and areas of the canal near Washington DC are a lot busier than the areas away from the city.

Yes, the canal is a favorite for many people so you won’t often have the trail completely to yourself. The farther you get from the parking lots and visitor centers the fewer people you see.

#9 So Much to Explore!

With 184.5 Miles to explore there is so much to see and so many adventures to be had on the C&O Canal.

Some people plan a trip and bike the whole trail, they camp at different sites along the way and experience some really beautiful areas of Maryland.

 

If you’re like us and biking 184.5 miles in a trip isn’t something you really can or want to do. It’s easy to pick a stretch of the canal and enjoy a shorter bike ride, run or walk. We love to explore the canal in bits and pieces.