 The
C&O Canal is one of America’s most distinctive
national parks. Where else can you find hundreds of priceless
historical structures, world-class recreational opportunities,
and endangered species habitat, so close at hand? It
is hard to imagine another park that provides such a
diversity of experiences for the visitor or benefits
to the public at large. This may be why the C&O Canal
NHP is one of the most visited national parks in the
country, welcoming more guests every year than Yellowstone,
Shenandoah, or Everglades.
The C&O Canal Trust believes that the more you know
about the park, the better prepared you will be to be
a careful steward and a strong advocate for its future.
The best source of information about the park is the
official website of the Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal National Historical Park. Here, you will find everything you will
need to plan your visit, including maps, directions to
the park’s six visitor centers, and a listing of
upcoming activities.
We encourage you to take a moment to learn about the
park and some of its challenges. Find out what is available
on nearby trails and public lands. Explore the wonderful
communities along the towpath. Then listen to our podcasts
(download-able audio files) to learn more about what
life was like for a family working on the canal, Supreme
Court Justice William O. Douglas’s famous advocacy
for the park, and other topics that bring the C&O
to life!
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