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Charles F. Mercer Canal Boat

Once you’ve seen the Canal and learned about the lifestyle of Canal boat families, the next thing you need to experience is a Canal boat ride. The National Park Service […]

Washington Aqueduct

Every day, 158 million gallons of the Potomac River detours into the Washington Aqueduct system and serves the many water needs of the nation’s capital. George Washington devised the plan […]

Gold Mine Trail

During the Civil War, a Union soldier was stationed along the Maryland side of the Potomac River near Great Falls. While cleaning up in a creek, he noticed a glint […]

Mather Gorge

Although diverse in their resources and stories, national parks protect the American legacy. The parks are the legacy of Stephen Tyng Mather. Mather fought hard for the protection of important […]

Great Falls Snack Bar

Hungry visitors are encouraged to grab something to eat at the Great Falls Snack Bar located in the Visitor Center courtyard at Great Falls Park. Vending machines are set up […]

Great Falls Overlook

For an outstanding view of the Potomac River as it roars through Mather Gorge, take a short, easy, quarter-mile footpath across bridges to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook. […]

Great Falls Parking

Large lot near Historic Great Falls Tavern, Great Falls Overlook, restrooms, picnic tables, and snack bar, with access to towpath. Entry fees apply.

Great Falls Area

At Great Falls, the Potomac River drops 76 feet in less than a mile through a gorge that narrows from 1,000 feet wide to less than 100 feet through Mather […]

Olmsted Island

Here, near lock 17, is another worthwhile diversion along the towpath. Follow an easy quarter mile walkway along boardwalks and on a series of bridges over a terraced floodplain to […]

Lock 20

Probably the most well known of the “Six Locks”, Lock 20 stands beside the famous Great Falls Tavern. Great Falls Tavern had a dual function as serving as lockhouse 12 […]

Stop Gate

A few minutes walk downstream from the Great Falls, you’ll find a picturesque white structure above the canal. It looks like a covered bridge; however, it’s an important piece of […]

Lock 18

Lock 18 is located just below the break of Great Falls. The towpath here was often washed out leading to the building of the guard wall and guard gate at […]

Lock 19

Lock 19, though mainly constructed with Seneca red sandstone, has coping stones possibly taken from older structures, one of the stones that make up this lock is inscribed May 24, […]

Lock 16

The sandstone that once made up Lock 16 has largely been replaced by brick along the Lock walls. In this lock there are inscriptions in the coping stone on the […]

Lock 17

Lock 17 was famous among canal boatman during the canals operational years often being referred to as the “Crooked Lock”. This lock opens up into a spacious pool 300′ long […]

Lock 15

Lock 15 is the start of another series of locks known as “Six Locks”, which carries the canal up 50 feet and past Great Falls. Unlike “Seven Locks” which were built […]

Billy Goat Trail A

This section of the Billy Goat Trail is by far the most demanding—but extremely rewarding for those who complete it. You’ll scramble and climb over angled rocks and boulders while […]

Widewater

Located between Great Falls and Anglers, Widewater has a natural wildness to it. It is easy to forget that it is man-made. Although it looks more like a lake, Widewater […]

Anglers Parking

Small lot off MacArthur Boulevard, across the street from Old Anglers Inn and near Billy Goat Trails A & B. Also near bathrooms and towpath access.

Anglers

Located between Billy Goat Trail Sections A and B and just downstream from Widewater is Anglers, one of the most visited sections of the C&O Canal. The natural beauty of […]

Marsden Tract Day Use Area

A campsite located next to the Marsden Tract Campground is for private users who have received a permit from the ranger station at Great Falls. Visitors making a rest stop […]

Marsden Tract Campground

Located between the Carderock Recreation Area and Angler’s Inn at Mile 11.5 on the C&O Canal Towpath, the Marsden Tract Campground is a group campsite south of the Great Falls […]

Billy Goat Trail B

Billy Goat Trail B is currently CLOSED, due to trail damage. Visit the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s page of current conditions for updates. Sections A and C are open. […]

Cabin John

Cabin John is a small, woodsy residential community in Bethesda, Maryland. It is home to about 2,300 people and many small businesses. Like many communities along the Potomac, Cabin John’s […]

Potomac

Once a modest agricultural community, Potomac, Maryland has grown into one of the wealthiest locations, per capita, in the United States. The town’s population includes foreign dignitaries, American politicians, famous […]

Billy Goat Trail C

The Billy Goat Trail is appropriately named. Divided into three sections (A, B, and C), The Billy Goat Trail takes more adventurous hikers along, up and over the rocks edging […]

Carderock North Parking Lot

Large lot. Follow signs off Clara Barton Parkway to Carderock parking. Near Billy Goat Trail C and Carderock climbing area.

Carderock Picnic Pavilion

The picnic pavilion at the Carderock Recreation Area is a large covered pavilion, open on three sides with 30 picnic tables. You must reserve the pavilion by visiting Recreation.gov. For […]

Carderock Climbing Area

For those looking for a departure from the easy-going grade of the C&O Canal, you are invited to look upward to the Carderock Climbing Area. Located along the Canal, Carderock […]

Lock 10 Parking

Small lot off Clara Barton Parkway, near Lock 10 and Lockhouse 10, which is available for overnight stays as part of the Canal Quarters program.

Lockhouse 10: Canal Quarters

Lockhouse 10 is part of the Canal Quarters program and is available for overnight stays! You and up to 7 friends can spend up to three nights here, experiencing life on […]

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