About Cumberland, Maryland
At Canal Place Heritage Park in Cumberland, two great American trails converge. The C&O Canal Towpath ends here after 184.5 miles from Georgetown and connects to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which climbs 150 miles through the Allegheny Mountains to Pittsburgh. For cyclists and long-distance trail travelers, Cumberland is the ultimate waypoint.
But Cumberland is much more than a trailhead. It’s a western Maryland city with a layered history stretching back to George Washington’s first military command, the National Road era, the railroad boom, and the industrial canal decades that made it the commercial hub of Appalachian Maryland. The downtown core along Baltimore Street and Centre Street has been carefully revitalized with independent restaurants, craft breweries, art galleries, and a coffee scene.
Canal Place Heritage Park boasts the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad depot, the C&O Canal Museum and Visitor Center, the Crabby Pig restaurant, Wheelzup Adventures bike outfitter, and the Canal Boat Replica all within walking distance of each other. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad makes excursion runs to Frostburg that are genuinely spectacular.
Getting There
Parking Access
Cumberland is the western terminus of the C&O Canal, putting the end of the towpath right in the heart of downtown. From the Western Maryland Station on Canal Street, the canal access and Canal Place visitor area are immediately adjacent, with parking available for day and overnight use.
River Access
River access at Cumberland’s Canal Place Heritage Area marks the western terminus of the C&O Canal, where the Potomac begins its 185-mile journey east. The broad upper Potomac here is navigable by canoe and kayak, and the North Branch above Cumberland offers additional remote paddling and fishing in a mountain setting. This is a natural starting point for paddlers tackling the full river journey east.
Where to Stay
Cumberland marks the western end of the towpath, and the city has solid overnight options for trail travelers. The Inn on Decatur is a well-regarded downtown B&B in a restored historic building close to Canal Place and the Western Maryland Station. For those wanting standard amenities, a Hampton Inn is also located in Cumberland.
Town Highlights You Don't Want to Miss:
For History Lovers:
Canal Place Heritage Park
The western terminus of the C&O Canal contains the C&O Canal NPS Visitor Center with a life-size canal boat replica, the stately 1913 Western Maryland Railway Station, a pedestrian bridge to George Washington’s Headquarters, and the trailhead for the Great Allegheny Passage to Pittsburgh.
George Washington’s Headquarters
This log cabin was originally built for then-Colonel George Washington during the French and Indian War in 1755 and was used again briefly by Washington in 1794 as Commander in Chief. It’s one of the oldest surviving structures directly associated with Washington in America and sits just across the footbridge from Canal Place.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Cumberland is the connecting point of the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath — together a 335-mile off-road trail corridor from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Day riders and hikers can sample the best of both trails without committing to a long haul.
Seven miles east of downtown, Rocky Gap State Park adds a different dimension. The 5.3-mile Lakeside Loop circles 243-acre Lake Habeeb through shoreline and woodland, while the more demanding Evitts Homesite Trail drops into a hemlock-lined canyon with about 1,000 feet of elevation change. For a shorter outing, the Canyon Overlook Trail is a quarter-mile to a view down a mile-long gorge.
Where To Eat and Drink:
Baltimore Street Grill — A downtown Cumberland institution for over 25 years, with Cajun classics alongside burgers and pub fare.
Queen City Creamery — A classic downtown lunch counter and custard shop. The name comes from Cumberland’s old nickname, earned when it was briefly the second-largest city in Maryland.
Charis Winery — Tasting room and covered outdoor patio right at Canal Place.
Photos by Jan Branscome, Janelle Muletz, Queen City Creamery