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
Pandemic Fuels 49 Percent Surge in Park Visitation 
Photo: Towpath by Francis Grant-Suttie
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.
As restrictions are lifted, the C&O Canal Trust will move quickly to support Park efforts to recover and prepare for what is expected to be continued high visitation in coming months as local residents defer summer travel. While the pandemic led to the postponement of the Trust’s Canal Pride Days events, originally scheduled for April and May at four locations in the Park, we are planning a series of smaller volunteer projects to address both the maintenance backlog and new work created by the surge in Park visitation. We will be following state health guidelines to ensure that our volunteers and staff remain safe while working together in the Park.
Opportunities to sign up to volunteer will be posted once we are given the go-ahead to resume activities in the Park. You can also support this work by making a donation to our Canal Pride COVID-19 Recovery Fund.
3 Ways to Support the Canal Towns
The Canal Towns, ten towns that line the C&O Canal National Historical Park, provide cyclists and tourists with lodging, food, and services that make the thru-ride possible for so many people. However, the merchants in these towns are suffering, as the tourism and hospitality industries are some of the hardest hit due to COVID-19 closures. As we enter what would be the start of the busy outdoor recreation season on the canal, please consider supporting the Canal Town businesses in the following ways: (more…)
My Time as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the C&O Canal Trust
I’m 10 months into a year-long internship as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) with the C&O Canal Trust. Towards the end of college, I knew I didn’t want to go straight into another degree program. I was interested in program evaluation, policy research, community, and international development. I was keenly aware that there was a disconnect between the theories and case studies I was reading about and the reality of community development and the nonprofit world. I strongly wanted experience in the nonprofit or public sector before I continued my education. For these reasons, I applied to the AmeriCorps VISTA program and accepted a one-year position working with the C&O Canal Trust and the Canal Towns Partnership. (more…)
New Superintendent Tina Cappetta Previews Her Vision for the C&O Canal
Tina Cappetta took up the position of Superintendent of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in January 2020, following nine years as Superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Hampton National Historic Site, and Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Over her 30-year National Park Service career, she has held positions in 10 parks around the nation, including at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in upstate New York, where she was the superintendent. From 2002 to 2004, she was Chief of Resources at the C&O Canal NHP.
Canal Pride Has Provided $1 Million in Value to C&O Canal ![]()
Entering its thirteenth year, Canal Pride is testament to the value of bringing volunteers, funding partners, and in-kind donors together to ensure that the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) remains a safe and welcoming venue for all those who love the Park. Since 2008, the C&O Canal Trust has recruited over 11,000 Canal Pride volunteers who have given 32,844 hours of service in the park, valued at close to one million dollars. These park beautification projects are a great benefit to the C&O Canal, as the maintenance division often has its hands full caring for the 184.5
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.
