North Branch Recreational Area

Just beyond the B&O trestle overhead, a picnic and recreation area is accessible by vehicle on River Rd SE.

For most of the length of the Canal west of Harper’s Ferry, the B&O Railroad has run its tracks along the Virginia side of the Potomac River. This enabled the railroad to stay out of the Canal’s way and was used as leverage with the Virginia legislature to extend a charter continuing the railroad west. The trestle that passes over the Potomac and over the Canal between Locks 73 and 74 marks the point where the railroad passes back into Maryland.