Bike the C&O Canal Towpath
By bicycle or on foot, try a short day trip or travel the entire 184.5-mile length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath.
3-5 Days Year-round Pets allowed
National Historical Park · DC, MD, WV
Things to do in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
The National Park Service lists 11 things to do at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. 10 have no extra fee, 11 need no reservation, and 9 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Explore the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitors Center
Visit the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin for information about the Canal and the surrounding area, sites including an aqueduct, rail lift-bridge, lockhouse, and operable locks.
20-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Explore the Georgetown Waterfront
Explore the Georgetown Waterfront and imagine the changes the space has gone through.
60-160 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Explore the Trolley Barn at Cushwa Basin
The trolley barn is located across the parking lot from the Cushwa Building. In 1896, the first trolley line in Washington County, Maryland was built running from Williamsport to Hagerstown.
15-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
Hike Along the Towpath Through the Paw Paw Tunnel
Walk through the 3,118-foot Paw Paw Tunnel, a significant engineering feature along Mile 155 of the C&O Canal towpath.
1-2 Minutes Pets allowed
Multi-Park Loop
Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
Year-round Pets allowed
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Paddle the Middle Potomac
Paddle from Potoma (sic) Wayside, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, or another launch site and take out at Algonkian Regional Park or Riverbend Park (both Virginia side).
2-4 Days Year-round Pets allowed
Skiing and Snowshoeing the C&O Canal Towpath
During the winter months, the C&O Canal may accumulate enough snow for winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors can step out onto the towpath and enjoy a short or multi-mile journey along the historic canal
Winter Pets allowed
Take a Boat Ride on the Canal
Today, visitors can enjoy life on the canal during a free replica canal launch boat program at Williamsport. During the late 19th and early 20th century, 30-foot battery and steam powered launch boats traveled the canal for leisure and business.
1-1 Hours Summer
Take the Scenic Route on the Potomac Heritage Trail
There are many places to access the Potomac Heritage Trail, including many connector trails from county parks.
1-8 Hours Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Wildlife Watching - Oldtown C&O Canal
Head down the C&O Canal NHP towpath in Oldtown, Maryland into a rare ecosystem mirroring that of the West. Spot a variety of wildlife and dragonfly species in this secluded hotspot.
2-4 Hours Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — things to do on nps.gov