Welcome to the C&O Canal Trust
The official nonprofit partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
Funding Priorities
Towpath Forever
Ensuring that the towpath and its resources are here forever.
Canal Classrooms
Exposing thousands of students to outdoor education programs along the Canal.
Canal Quarters
Step back in time as you spend the night in one of six historic lockhouses.
Canal Discoveries
Learn about the C&O Canal with these Virtual Ranger programs.
Canal Pride Days
Volunteer your time to help conserve the C&O Canal.
Canal Towns
Visit these nine unique destinations that border the Canal.
News
Trust Board Approves Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Resolution
The C&O Canal Trust Board of Directors approved a Board Resolution at their June meeting affirming the Trust’s commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Although the statement had been in the works for months, its passage now – as the nation reckons with its history of racial inequity – underscores how imperative it is that we continue to integrate these important principles into all facets of our organization. (more…)
C&O Canal Trust’s Canal Pride COVID-19 Recovery Fund Receives Donations From Global Virtual Event
The C&O Canal Trust’s Canal Pride COVID-19 Recovery Fund received $2,249 from race participants around the world who donated when they registered for a Virtual Road Trip Run offered by Racine MultiSports, a race production and professional timing business located in Williamsport, MD. (more…)
C&O Canal Trust To Fund Comprehensive Survey Ahead of Rehabilitation of Billy Goat Trail System
The C&O Canal Trust will help fund a comprehensive survey of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species along the trails in the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, recognized as one of the most biologically diverse parks in the entire national park system. A $64,757 grant will be used by the Park to hire a one-year botany fellow and a four-month botany intern. (more…)
Park Sees 49 Percent Surge in Park Visitation
In March and April of this year, the C&O Canal National Historical Park experienced a 49 percent increase in visitation over the same period in 2019, with 1.07 million visits logged by automatic counters at key access points in the Park — 352,700 more visits than in March and April 2019. But even as people have flocked to the Park for respite, they have also placed a great deal of stress on its infrastructure. Trash has accumulated, assets have been damaged, new graffiti defaces several historic structures, and regular spring maintenance has been deferred. (more…)
CFC# 98180.
EIN: 30-0401642.
C&O Canal Explorer
Mobile App
Download our new mobile app to your Android or Apple phone and explore the C&O Canal in a whole new way. Get the app!
Stay The Night at a Lockhouse
Canal Quarters lockhouses offer a historic, recreational, and educational experience like no other. Book your stay today!
Enter our Monthly Photo Contest
The C&O Canal Trust sponsors a monthly photo contest highlighting the best photos you have taken of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Find out how to enter here!
Park News
Click here for information on Park projects, closures, and alerts.
