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Canal Community Days

The C&O Canal National Historical Park follows the Potomac River for 184.5 miles between Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, and Cumberland in Western Maryland, and is one of the most visited national park sites in the country. The C&O Canal Trust is the park’s official nonprofit philanthropic partner, committed to supporting the National Park Service and local communities through fundraising initiatives, expanding accessibility, and broadening support through programs that highlight the park’s historical, natural, and cultural heritage.

Georgetown, D.C. – November 7, 2026

Join us for a late-fall volunteer project in Washington DC! We will be cleaning up the park within the first mile of the park between mile marker 0 and the Key Bridge overpass. Volunteers will participate in public land stewardship and have the opportunity to learn about responsible recreation, Leave No Trace principles, and the lasting impact of caring for our local national park.

Help us make an impact in the heavily visited urban end of our park!

Anticipated Projects

  • Trash removal
  • Invasive vegetation removal
  • Paint park structures

 

Register here!

When:
Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 am – 1 pm

Locations:
The grassy yard behind the Georgetown Visitor Center (Lock 3)
1057 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC 20007
Map Link

Metro:
The nearest Metro stop is GWU/Foggy Bottom, about ¾ mile away.

Parking:

Parking garages are all around. Local permits are required for street parking. Please arrive early to allow ample time to find parking and get to the visitor center.

Provided On-site:

  • Required forms, clipboards, and pens
  • All project materials: loppers, pruners, work gloves, trash bags, etc.
  • First-aid kits

All ages are welcome at Canal Community Days events, but parents must remain on-site and responsible for their children the entire time. No drop-offs. Student Service Learning (SSL) hours are available; just bring your forms from school, and we’ll be happy to sign them.

\What to Bring:

  • Layered, weather-appropriate clothing for chilly mornings and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Long sleeves and long pants are recommended for moving vegetation to protect against cuts and scratches. Poison ivy may be present within the foliage.
  • Closed-tow shoes or boots
  • (Optional) Personal water/ snacks
  • (Optional) Personal gloves or PPE

 

Required Volunteer Forms:
Volunteer Service Agreement (VSA) and Media Release 

  • Adults will sign a volunteer waiver form on-site,
  • If your child under 18 is volunteering, a parent or guardian must be present at check-in to sign a volunteer waiver.

Questions?
Please contact us at [email protected].

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Canal Explorer:

Canal Traveler:

LockKeeper:

AC&T

Patagonia

Tri-State Stone and Building Supply Inc.,

Photo credits: Paul Graunke, Francis Grant-Suttie, and Trust Staff

Let's Explore!