Protecting Today.
Preserving for the Future.
Preserving for the Future.
Stewarding the Park,
Connecting Communities,
Inspiring Adventure
The C&O Canal Trust is proud to partner with the National Park Service and our community to preserve the beauty, history, and recreational opportunities of the C&O Canal. Together with generous supporters, we’re working to keep the park a vibrant place for everyone to explore and enjoy today and for generations to come.
Stay
at a Lockhouse
Step back in time as you spend the night in one of seven historic lockhouses.
Plan
and Explore
Discover guides and points of interest to make the most of your adventure.
Volunteer
with Us
From education to preservation, we bring the canal’s stories to life and connect communities.
Support
the Park
Support the park you love! Every contribution makes a difference.
Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie The C&O Canal National Historical Park received a lot of love on Saturday, April 23, 2022, as the C&O Canal Trust welcomed volunteers, elected officials, Trust…
Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national…
A Biodiversity Treasure in Peril The C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is beloved for its natural beauty, rich recreational opportunities, and accessibility for over five million visitors. What is…
We are excited to announce the widely popular C&O Canal Libations Trail will carry on in 2023! Featuring craft breweries located in or nearby the ten Canal Towns, the popular…
The Potomac River and its companion C&O Canal were the northern boundary of the Confederate states. Many people fled to that boundary and the Union protection beyond it. A curious…
Two wayside exhibits, documenting life at Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps NP-1 and NP-2 on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal during the Great Depression were the recipient of a National…
On December 9, 2021 the C&O Canal Trust presented a gift of $200,000 to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). “The C&O Canal Trust provides the ways and means…
As the volunteer project season draws to a close, I am amazed at how quickly and eagerly people have stepped up to help take care of the park, especially when…
Your support keeps the C&O Canal alive with history, nature, and adventure — today and for generations to come.