Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
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Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Along the 184.5 mile length of the towpath, there are many small towns and communities where visitors can explore, shop, eat and sleep. In chillier months, Park lovers can find refuge among cozy cafes or warm up with a craft beer in one of the many local breweries.
Celebrate FeBREWary this year by visiting each of these canal towns in the Canal Towns Partnership and check out these featured cafes and breweries.
Poolesville, MD
(Mile Marker 30.9, 35.5)
Locals Farm Market
19929 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville, MD 20837
4.7 miles from the towpath at Edwards Ferry
Photo from Locals (Facebook)
Brunswick, MD
(Mile Marker 55)
Smoketown Brewing Station
223 W. Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716
0.3 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal
Photo by Ester Herberts
Beans in the Belfry
223 W. Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716
0.3 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal
Photo from Beans in the Belfry (Facebook)
Harpers Ferry, WV
(Mile Marker 60.7)
Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee
180 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
0.4 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal Lock 33
Photo by Joe Hainey
Harpers Ferry Brewing
37412 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, VA 20132
2.5 miles from the towpath in Harpers Ferry
Photo from Harpers Ferry Brewing (Instagram)
H.B. Snallygaster’s General Store & Cafe
1102 W. Washington Street, Bolivar, WV 25425
1.6 miles from Maryland Heights Trailhead
Photo from H.B. Snallygasters (Facebook)
Bolivar, WV
(Mile Marker 60.7)
Rations Roasters
1271 Washington Street, Bolivar, WV 25425
2.2 miles from C&O Canal towpath
Photo from Rations Roasters (Facebook)
Shepherdstown, WV
(Mile Marker 76.8)
Bavarian Inn, Resort and Brewing Company
164 Shepherd Grade Road, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
0.7 mile walk/bike from the C&O Canal
Photo by Bavarian Brothers Brewing
Lost Dog Coffee Fine Arts Drink Emporium
134 E German Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
1.0 mile walk/bike from the C&O Canal
Photo from Lost Dog Coffee (Facebook)
Shepherdstown Sweet Shop and Bakery
100 W German Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
1.0 mile walk/bike from the C&O Canal
Photo from Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery (Facebook)
Williamsport, MD
(Mile Marker 99.4)
Cushwa Brewing Company
10210 Governor Lane Blvd. #2100, Williamsport, MD 21795
2.5 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal
Photo by Cushwa Brewing Company
River Bottom Roasters
10212 Governor Lane Blvd. #1008, Williamsport, MD 21795
2.5 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal
Photo from River Bottom Roasters (Facebook)
Cumberland, MD
(Mile Marker 184.5)
Basecamp Coffee Company
108 Greene Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
0.6 mile walk/bike from C&O Canal
Photo from Basecamp Coffee Co (Facebook)
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
In 2023, we received many wonderful photo contest entries. From iconic nature pictures to mesmerizing sunsets to beautiful day trips along the towpath, our canal enthusiasts share gorgeous highlights of the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
These are your favorite photos—our monthly photo contest winners! Check them out below and reminisce with us about 2023.
Click the picture to view full size.
Submit your photos of the Park to be considered for our monthly photo contest here.
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
The C&O Canal Trust welcomed more than 70 individuals to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in October for volunteer service and educational programs.
Kite Pharma volunteers at Weverton with the C&O Canal Trust. Photo by Trust Staff.
Groups with the Washington County Division of Stormwater Management and Kite Pharma worked with the Trust to collectively remove nearly 2,000 pounds of trash from Weverton between mile markers 57 and 59 during two volunteer events. Trust volunteers responded to an immediate need for trash cleanup in the area, providing vital support to the Park and visitors. Along with general trash, the groups removed items like a frying pan, fishing nets, metal folding chairs, and a card table. Volunteers with Shepherd University helped remove over 200 pounds of trash from Lock 38, another busy access point in Washington County. Read More
Photo by Brian Edwards
“Thankful for…
the ground under my feet
the wind in my hair
the sun in the sky
the trees everywhere!” – Justin
Great Blue Heron at Pennyfield Lock by Jan Branscome
“I am grateful for the beauty of light reflecting off the river, the grace of the Great Blue Heron, the sunset of colors in the turning of a maple leaf. I am warmed by dapples of sunlight streaming through trees and cloaked in a comforting nostalgia by the scent of muddy water. I am thankful for the ceaseless flow and perpetual warbles of the Potomac, always rooting me to the generations of beings that have come to this place for restoration, exploration, life-sustaining resources, renewal, and continued growth. I have been truly fortunate to have spent time building bridges and community in a space that illuminates the beauty of reciprocal relationships, demonstrates the importance of balance, and explicates the need for intentional living. Gratitude abounds for this space, for the beings that make it their home, and for the invitations extended to each of us: Come and play. Explore and learn. Listen and receive.” – Jacob
Wingnut by Robyn Sumner
“Meet Wingnut. I am thankful that we live within walking distance of the beautiful C&O Canal. As a family, we have strolled, hiked, biked, skied, boated, tubed, and introduced four beautiful dogs to the historic site. Every season is beautiful in the Park. I think my favorite is just after freshly fallen snow; you can hear every sound, see birds and wildlife, and feel at peace.” – Robyn
Great Falls Tavern by Jan Branscome
“I’m thankful for those who had the foresight to recognize the importance of protecting and preserving this beautiful piece of paradise. And equally thankful for those who are dedicated to continuing that mission for future generations.” – Jane
Lockhouse 10 by Visit Montgomery
“I’m grateful for the ability to live the life I need to live, which includes being able to enjoy wild spaces like the C&O Canal. I have lived without access to nature and never take it for granted. So many don’t know the freedom of an unpaved trail.” – Aidan
Walking With a Friend by Kelly Hilton
“I am thankful for the unique learning opportunities and interpretive experiences the Park presents. With over 1,300 historical structures, 20,000 acres of land, and 184.5 miles of towpath, the Park is a wealth of living history that tells the stories of the past. I am thankful to everyone who works toward the preservation and upkeep of this treasured local and national resource.” -Kalina
Four Locks (MM 109) near Clear Springs, Maryland by Nicholas Clements
“I am thankful for the benches along the towpath- particularly the one near Lockhouse 44. I love to sit and read a book on warm, sunny days.” – Becky
Autumn Morning at Sideling Hill Creek by Paul Graunke
“I am grateful for all the C&O has to offer. The glimmering colors, the calming symphony of nature, and the breath of fresh air and rejuvenation that only a walk through the Park can provide.” – Grace
To celebrate Bats and their impact to our local ecosystems we have compiled some Bat-tastic fun facts to share with you!
1. Bats can eat more than 1,000 mosquitos per night.
Each adult bat can eat up to 1,000 insects per hour. That is over $53 million of free pest control they provide and with the agricultural benefit of being pesticide free.
2. The C&O Canal NHP is home to 10 species of bats.
There are 10 confirmed species of bats within the C&O Canal NHP. Eight of which are hibernating bats.
3. Bats are pollinators just like birds and bees.
Bats aid in pollination both by transferring pollen when drinking nectar from flowers but also through seed spreading.
4. Bats are the only mammal that can fly.
There are other mammals that have the ability to glide, or fall with style. Though bats are the only mammal that have the true ability to fly.
5. Not all bats use echolocation to find prey.
While many believe bats to have poor eyesight and rely on echolocation, bats’ vision is actually pretty comparable to human sight. As well not all bats can echolocate, only 70% have the capability.
6. The species of bats within the areas of the C&O Canal are all insectivores.
Insectivore as the name suggests eat insects. While other species of bat can be carnivores or frugivores. Carnivorous bats eat meat like frogs, fish and birds. Frugivores eat fruit and other vegetation like fig, mango and agave.
7. The C&O Canal NHP is a top favorite for hibernating bats in the state of Maryland.
Eight different species of bat now call the Indigo Tunnel “home,” including the Maryland state endangered small-footed myotis and the federally endangered Indiana bat. The Indigo Tunnel, located in Allegany County, has been identified by Maryland Department of Natural Resources as one of the largest bat hibernacula in the state. To protect the hibernating bats and their home, the National Park Service has placed metal gates at the portals of the tunnel. (pictured below)
Photo by Maximillian Ruther
Photo by Nanette Nyce
Information for this post was sourced from the NPS and BatWeek.org
Top image by HitchHike via Pexels
Photo by Trust Staff
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie
October 12, 2023, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Weverton, C&O Canal National Historical Park
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Canal Gold by MJ Clingan
Nestled along the Potomac River, the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is the perfect place to witness the beauty of nature’s transition into fall. As summer’s warmth gradually gives way to cooler breezes and the days grow shorter, the lush greenery that defines the landscape of the Park begins its shift into a breathtaking display of autumn colors. Once adorned in verdant hues, the trees that line the canal prepare to don their seasonal attire of gold, red, and orange. According to the Farmer’s Almanac’s 2023 fall leaves and peak color forecast, inland parts of Maryland will enjoy peak fall color from October 12-28.
Autumn on the Towpath at Milepost 20 by Keld Wichmann Moeller
Predicting the timing and intensity of fall foliage can be like forecasting the weather – it’s a mix of science and art. Several key factors include rainfall, temperature, daylight duration, and the mix of tree species in the Park. As the days shorten and temperatures begin to cool, the trees respond by producing vibrant pigments that create the iconic reds, oranges, and yellows that define the fall season. A gradual transition from summer to fall, with moderate temperatures and adequate rainfall, yields more vibrant and prolonged displays. A sudden frost or heavy rain, on the other hand, can result in leaves dropping prematurely, impacting the overall experience.
If you’re planning to witness the fall color extravaganza in the C&O Canal NHP, here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:
- Plan Ahead: Monitor local weather forecasts and current Park conditions to gauge the best time for your visit. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly fall foliage report you can subscribe to via e-mail.
- Bring the Essentials: Wear comfortable walking shoes, be sure to have warm layers, and bring your camera or phone to capture the breathtaking scenery.
- Weekday Advantage: Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds and fully appreciate the Park’s tranquility.
- The Towpath and Beyond: The towpath offers a picturesque route for observing the foliage. You can opt for a leisurely stroll, a bike ride, or even a peaceful afternoon picnic. Don’t forget other hiking and walking trails in the Park, like the Billy Goat C Trail and Gold Mine Trail, as well as the beauty found in our Canal Towns during the fall.
- Embrace the Serenity: While vibrant colors steal the show, be sure to take in the serene atmosphere and the beauty of nature as summer turns to fall. Engage your senses in this beautiful season and be present in the moment.
Autumn Morning on the Canal by Suzanne Lugerner
As autumn unfolds in the Park, it brings with it the promise of a breathtaking symphony of colors. While we can’t predict nature’s exact timing and intensity, the conditions seem favorable for a memorable fall foliage season in 2023. So, mark your calendars, prepare your camera, and embark on a journey to witness the splendid transformation that only nature can orchestrate.
Image Credit: Jane Schmidt
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Photo by Trust Staff
The C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is filled with natural beauty, rich history, and recreational opportunities. Many visitors enjoy sharing the Park with their four-legged companions. However, ensuring a positive experience requires proper planning in order to recreate responsibly. The National Park Service asks that all visitors with pets remember to B.A.R.K.:
Bag your pet’s poop
- Properly bag and dispose of your pet’s waste. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP is a trash-free Park, and garbage cans are not available. Pet owners should plan ahead to clean up and remove their trash, leaving the Park as they found it.
- Leaving bagged waste on the trail is littering. This includes parking areas, trailheads, signs, and milemarkers.
- Pet waste left on the ground makes a mess for others and harms the water quality in the park.
Tater the Doodle by Callie Fishburn
Always keep your pet on a leash
- Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- GPS pet trackers are not leashes.
- Keeping pets on a leash protects people, plants, wildlife, and your pet.
Respect all animals
- Keep your pet at a respectful distance from any wildlife or other animals you encounter.
- Off-leash pets may spook horses or mules on the C&O Canal towpath.
- Off-leash pets can injure and alter the behavior of wildlife in the Park.
Know the rules
- Pets are not allowed on the Billy Goat Trail section A, or on the boardwalk to Great Falls.
- Stay on marked trails. Going off-trail can damage sensitive plants and cause erosion. Pets are more likely to pick up ticks when off-trail.
These regulations and laws exist to keep pets, visitors, and park resources safe. There are no exceptions to the regulations for carried pets (in arms, carriers, strollers, backpacks, etc.) in restricted areas of the park. For more information, please consult the Superintendent’s Compendium.
Dog and Charles F Mercer at Great Falls by Marc Llacuna
Please be mindful of weather conditions when bringing your pet to the park. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can sometimes be dangerous to pets. Water fountains are available at some locations in the Park, but visitors should plan ahead and bring water for their pets.
Service Animals
Qualified service animals assisting visitors with disabilities are permitted throughout the Park and in all Park facilities. Service animals must be on a leash and picked up after.
Recreating responsibly with your dog in the C&O Canal NHP is not only about following Park rules but also about fostering a sense of stewardship for the natural and cultural resources. By knowing the regulations, keeping your dog on a leash, practicing good waste management, staying on designated trails, and being considerate of wildlife and other visitors, you can ensure a positive experience while preserving the Park’s integrity. Let’s cherish this remarkable resource and create lasting memories with our furry friends while following B.A.R.K. principles. By embracing these principles, we can continue to enjoy the beauty of the C&O Canal NHP for generations to come.
Thank you for volunteering with the C&O Canal Trust for the “Dog Days of Summer” music fest on Saturday, July 22nd presented by Cushwa Brewing and Interchange Tiki Bar & Brewery in conjunction with the C&O Canal Trust. The Trust will receive a portion of the proceeds to help our mission to preserve and protect the Historic C&O Canal National Historic Park.
Photo by Mark Cruz
After a day exploring the wonders of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP), there’s nothing quite as satisfying as taking a break in a Canal Town. These towns, rich with history and small-town charm, provide a welcoming respite for weary adventurers. While meandering through the streets of most canal towns or just beyond, you’re bound to stumble upon a unique ice cream shop promising sweet treats that tantalize the taste buds. These shops offer a mouthwatering array of flavors, ranging from classic favorites to inventive creations.
Photo courtesy of The Little Red Barn
Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe
4610 Lander Road, Jefferson, MD
Closest Canal Town: Point of Rocks
Located in a restored, hundred-year-old barn, the Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe is a fun spot to enjoy frozen treats. It also offers sandwiches, soups, salads, and expresso-based drinks. The options are limitless, with indoor dining, patio space, and a walk-up window with carry-out. The Little Red Barn offers a large selection of ice cream flavors, milkshakes, and sundaes made with Hershey’s ice cream. Follow their Facebook page for special flavors and more.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Point Creamery
Rocky Point Creamery
4323 Tuscarora Road, Tuscarora, MD
Closest Canal Town: Point of Rocks, MD
Rocky Point Creamery is a classic farm-to-cone style creamery located a little over a mile from the towpath in Point of Rocks. Part of Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail, the creamery rotates over 80 flavors of ice cream weekly and offers specialty sundaes and shakes. Be sure to visit their tractor-style playground, sunflower field in July and August, and events like food trucks and goat yoga. Weekly flavors and events are posted on their Facebook page.
A La Mode Cafe
113 Potomac Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
Canal Town: Harpers Ferry/Bolivar
A La Mode Cafe offers tasty desserts, including ice cream treats like milkshakes and sundaes. Hand-dipped ice cream is from Kawartha Dairy, and there are soft-serve options as well. The menu also includes a few breakfast and lunch items.
Photo courtesy of Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee
Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee
180 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
Canal Town: Harpers Ferry/Bolivar
Situated right in the middle of the historic lower town of Harpers Ferry, Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee offers breakfast and pastries, salad and sandwiches, specialty coffees, cookies, and delicious frozen custard flavors. Follow them on Facebook.
Cannonball Deli
125-129 High Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
Canal Town: Harpers Ferry/Bolivar
Just a short walk across the Potomac River into Harpers Ferry, the Cannonball Deli is one of several walk-up ice cream spots on Potomac Street. It serves Hershey’s ice cream. The deli has indoor and outdoor seating, a tasty ice cream menu, and offers other menu items like burgers, pizza, salads, and burritos.
Creamy Creations
173 Potomac Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
Canal Town: Harpers Ferry/Bolivar
Just a short walk across the Potomac River into Harpers Ferry, Creamy Creations is another walk-up ice cream spot on Potomac Street, opposite the train station. You’ll find a variety of fun, unique hand-dipped flavors, along with traditional flavors and plenty of toppings to choose from.
Harpers Ferry Ice Cream Shoppe
408 Alstadts Hill Road, Harpers Ferry, WV
Canal Town: Harpers Ferry/Bolivar
The Harpers Ferry Ice Cream Shoppe features 16 flavors from local creamery Garber’s Ice Cream in Winchester, Virginia. The menu includes cones, cups, milkshakes, cookie sandwiches, and sundaes.
Photo courtesy of Amy & Alex’s Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee
Amy & Alex’s Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee
207 S Princess Street, Suite 2, Shepherdstown, WV
Canal Town: Shepherdstown, WV
Amy & Alex’s Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee opened in May of 2023, focusing on clean ingredients, meaning no artificial flavors and no artificial ingredients. Most of their ice cream add-ins are organic, and they offer a variety of traditional flavors as well as more unique flavors, like Honey Raspberry Blueberry Swirl, Mango Dragonfruit, and Coffee Crunch Bar. They always have two or three dairy-free coconut milk ice creams as well. Follow them on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Rock Hill Creamery
Rock Hill Creamery
111 West German Street, Shepherdstown, WV
Canal Town: Shepherdstown, WV
Rock Hill Creamery, located in the heart of Shepherdstown, West Va., features ice cream made right in the shop using only milk, sugar, and heavy cream as the base. The menu features a variety of traditional and not-so-traditional ice cream flavors, as well as vegan sorbet. Flavors like Keylime Pie, Lavender Honey, Vanilla Chip, Zebra Cake, and Better Brownie Batter are sure to tempt your tastebuds!
Photo courtesy of Deliteful Dairy
Deliteful Dairy
16230 Long Delite Lane, Williamsport, MD
Canal Town: Williamsport, MD
Located close to C&O Canal access points at Cushwa Basin and McMahons Mill, Deliteful Dairy offers high-quality, grass-fed dairy products, including ice cream, butter artisanal cheeses, and farm-fresh craft milk selections. This seventh-generational farm is part of Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail and offers a variety of tasty ice cream treats. Visit them on Facebook for events and specials.
Photo courtesy of Scoop-A-Licious & More
Scoop-A-Licious & More
16904 Virginia Avenue, Williamsport, MD
Canal Town: Williamsport, MD
Scoop-A-Licious & More offers batch-churned ice cream from Windy Knoll Farm & soft-serve ice cream. They also have a wide variety of sundaes, milkshakes, snow cones, and other delicious ice cream treats.
Photo courtesy of BuddyLou’s Eats Drinks & Antiques
BuddyLou’s Eats Drinks & Antiques
11 East Main Street, Hancock, MD
Canal Town: Hancock, MD
Just steps from the C&O Canal, Buddy Lou’s offers exceptional dining, unique artisan gifts, vintage treasures, and just plain fun! Their ice cream menu offers soft serve and Flavor Burst selections, with a multitude of topping choices. You can also get sundaes, milkshakes, and other ice cream treats.
Photo courtesy of Queen City Creamery
Queen City Creamery
138 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, MD
Canal Town: Cumberland, MD
Queen City Creamy makes homemade frozen custard, sorbet, and frozen treats daily. There’s a Flavor of the Day Custard, a Flavor of the Week Sorbet, and a Sundae of the Week. The menu includes ice cream floats and even ice cream cakes, plus more! Stop in and enjoy flavors like Lemon Blueberry, Salted Caramel Cashew, and Caramel Old Bay. They were recently voted one of the best frozen custard places in the United States. Follow them on Facebook.
European Desserts and More
17 Howard Street, Cumberland, MD
Canal Town: Cumberland
Located just steps off the towpath, less than 500 ft from the end of the C&O Canal and the start of the Great Allegheny Passage trail, European Desserts and More is one of the shops at Canal Place. The shop offers six flavors of ice cream, including black raspberry and cookies & crème. Its specialty is traditional handmade desserts, like baklava, bee sting cake, and filo pastries. Follow the towpath south, and you will find a green field to eat your ice cream or other treats and view “The Cumberland,” a full-scale C&O Canal boat replica. This is the perfect place to treat yourself after your journey or fuel up for the start of your trip.
The next time you find yourself visiting the C&O Canal NHP, enjoy the simple pleasures of an ice cream treat in a canal town. We hope it will be the perfect ending to a great day! Click here for more information about the Canal Towns Partnership.
Student Conservation Association interns planting smooth rock skullcap at a site in the Potomac Gorge area. Photo by C&O Canal NHP/NPS.
Photo by C&O Canal NHP/NPS
The C&O Canal NHP was awarded the 2023 Excellence in Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design award from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). The award recognizes the park’s efforts to combat the impacts of flooding with long-term, sustainable solutions along a 0.9-mile stretch between McMahons Mill (mile 88) and Lock 42 (mile 89) in Williamsport, Maryland. The rehabilitated historical retaining wall and towpath ensure future generations will continue to learn and enjoy the C&O Canal in its historical context. Read More
Nature has a profound impact on human well-being. Research shows that spending time in nature and connecting with your natural surroundings is associated with better body and brain health. Now researchers know that birds are a specific source of those health benefits.
Prothonotary Warbler by Robert A. Powell
Here are five ways that birding at the C&O Canal NHP Can Improve Your Health:
Carolina Wren Singing on its Pedestal by Eric Stuyck
1. Physical Fitness
Birding is not just about observing birds; it often involves exploration. To do that, you have to move from place to place physically. The C&O Canal stretches for 184.5 miles, offering ample hiking, biking, and leisurely walking opportunities. These activities promote cardiovascular health, improve endurance, and boost energy levels. Birders can enjoy the scenic beauty while moving their bodies, improving overall fitness and stamina.
2. Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being
In our increasingly digitized world, finding moments of tranquility is essential for maintaining mental health. Birding at the C&O Canal offers a respite from the daily stresses and a chance to immerse oneself in the wonders of nature. Studies show that listening to birdsong has been found to help your mood, reducing feelings of anxiety, depression, and paranoia in healthy research participants. Nature and birdsong also reduce stress, lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. Birding provides a mindful experience, allowing you to be fully present in the moment and forget about everyday life.
A Welcome Visitor by Vinod Thomas
3. Connection with Nature
Humans have an innate connection with the natural world, and birding provides an opportunity to foster and deepen that connection. The C&O Canal is a thriving ecosystem home to over 120 diverse bird species. By observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats, you’ll develop a greater appreciation for the intricacies of nature and the delicate balance of ecosystems. This connection with the environment can lead to a heightened sense of environmental stewardship and a desire to protect and conserve our natural heritage.
4. Cognitive Enhancement
Birding is both a physical and sensory experience and an intellectually stimulating one. It requires observation, concentration, and the ability to recognize patterns and identify different species. Regularly engaging in this activity can enhance cognitive skills such as attention to detail, memory recall, and pattern recognition. Additionally, birding fosters curiosity and a thirst for knowledge about the natural world, encouraging continuous learning and exploration.
Well, Hello There! by Christine Ley
5. Social Engagement
Birding can be a solitary activity, allowing for introspection and self-reflection. However, it also offers opportunities for social interaction and building connections with like-minded individuals. Joining birding groups or participating in bird walks with other birders at the C&O Canal can create a sense of community, providing a platform to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and forge new friendships. Social connections are vital for mental well-being, and birding offers a supportive network of individuals who share a common passion for nature.
Birding at the C&O Canal offers a delightful blend of nature, exercise, and mental stimulation, making it a perfect activity for individuals seeking physical and psychological well-being. From reducing stress and improving cardiovascular health to fostering a sense of wonder and environmental consciousness, the health benefits of birding at the C&O Canal are undeniable. So grab your binoculars, lace up your walking shoes, and embark on a birding adventure that will nourish your body.
Smithsonian Associates group visits Great Falls in the C&O Canal NHP. Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie
The C&O Canal Trust partnered with Smithsonian Associates to provide a day-long tour of the C&O Canal National Historical Park on June 2. Thirty-six participants braved the heat to explore several parts of the Park, including Great Falls and Rileys Lock. The tour included a guided tour of Lockhouse 22 at Pennyfield. Lockhouse 22 is one of seven rehabilitated lockhouses in the Canal Quarters program, which gives visitors the opportunity to book up to three consecutive nights in a historic lockhouse. Read More
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Canal Community Story: Ed Zahniser
Celebrate your love for the C&O Canal by sharing your personal story about the Park. Each story will take a look at a person’s relationship with the C&O Canal. Whether an NPS ranger, a volunteer, or a visitor, everyone has a story to tell about the canal! If you want to share your story, fill out the form below, email it to us at [email protected] or post it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #MyCanalStory. We could use your story here on our website!
Canal Community Story: Tamika Graham
What is TRACK Trails?
TRACK Trails is an award-winning program by Kids in Parks that offers family-friendly outdoor adventures. By following the self-guided brochures and signs, your visit to the park becomes a fun and educational adventure. As you track your progress, you become eligible for prizes.
How does it work?
TRACK Trail in Hancock by Trust Staff
Start by going to the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail website and search your area on the map to find an adventure near you. Once you find a location, you can browse the adventures on the map under Find An Adventure. Sometimes TRACK Trail brochures are located at the park or attached to a TRACK Trail sign, but you can always access them on the Kids in Parks website.
TRACK Trail adventures exist at three locations in the C&O Canal National Historical Park—Brunswick, Williamsport, and Hancock. For example, in Williamsport there are four different adventures: Conococheague Aqueduct Scavenger Hunt, Lock 44 Scavenger Hunt, Nature’s Hide & Seek, and Need for Trees. Many of the nature-based adventures are general enough they could be used throughout the Park.
After completing tasks, you can track them on your device to receive TRACKer gear. Different TRACK Trail adventures have different gear awarded, such as stickers and cards for hiking trails, disks for the disk golf courses, or bike bells and first aid kits for the bike trails, and more. The more adventures you complete, the cooler gear you get. You can see a full list of gear rewards here!
How did Kids in Parks and TRACK Trails come about?
Photo by Trust Staff
Kids in Parks began in 2009 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, developed by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. As the program demonstrated easy implementation and effectiveness in getting children outdoors, Kids in Parks rapidly expanded to other parks and public lands across the country. Achievements of the program include endorsements by the American Academy of Pediatrics, awarded as a Let’s Move! Champion of Change by the White House, and acknowledgement for Outstanding Public Engagement by the Public Lands Alliance.
We’re bringing back our TowpathGO 5K, and this spring it’s coming to Williamsport! Join us May 6 for Racin’ the Basin. The 5K will start at 7 a.m. at Cushwa Basin, prior to our Canal Community Days cleanup.
Photo by Paul Graunke
If you love the C&O Canal National Historical Park and enjoy recreating in the Park, we’ve got a great way for you to combine your passions and support the Park! Sign up for TowpathGO and rally support from your friends and family for this unique peer-to-peer fundraising challenge. Join us for this year’s TowpathGO!
Congratulations to Brian Rimm on his winning design for this year’s Canal Community Days Logo Contest! We received a record number of design entries from more than 20 different artists, and are grateful to everyone in our Canal Community who took the time to enter. We hope to see you at our volunteer events this spring wearing this great design!
Get to know the new C&O Canal Trust President and CEO Lauren Riviello! Lauren is no stranger to the Trust; she’s been the director of development for two years, and her connection to the Park dates back to her childhood in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. We asked her a few questions as she steps into her new role with the Trust. Read More
As spring has officially sprung, we here at the Trust can only hope for more consistent weather. And while there’s probably still a bit more cold weather to come, the next few weeks look like they could be the true beginning of warm weather for the Canal.
In honor of spring (slowly) coming to the area, we at the Trust have compiled a list of things we love about spring on the Canal. Read More
