Spotlight: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park

Spotlight: The C&O Canal National Historic Park was established in 1971 to preserve neglected sections of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and extends 184.5 miles along the Potomac River, covering almost 20,000 acres from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal (aka "The Grand Old Ditch") was constructed from 1828 to 1850. Although it was originally intended to extend all the way to Pittsburgh, it was outpaced by the railroads (particularly the B&O Railroad). It was primarily used to ship coal from the Allegheny Mountains to DC. Shipping by canal remained cheaper during the 1800's, but improvements to trains eventually made the canal obsolete. It was finally closed in 1924. It was purchased by the federal government, and was the source of consistent debate regarding its use. Although most proposals were scrapped, canal boat rides have been given along sections of its route since the early 1940's, following extensive repairs to the canal during the Depression. The first canal boat was the Canal Clipper which began giving mule-driven rides in 1941. It was finally designated a National Monument in 1961. Although occasionally plagued by flooding, several organizations continually work to preserve and restore this historical route. In addition to canal boat rides, other popular activities along the canal zone include running, hiking, cycling, fishing, boating, kayaking and rock climbing.

Location: The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located on the shores of the Potomac River along a 184.5 mile stretch from Washington DC to Cumberland, MD. Although the NPS maintains 7 Visitor Centers, the most popular one is Great Falls Tavern located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD.

Cost: Entrance fees ($10/private vehicle or $5/person on foot or bicycle) are only collected at the Great Falls Entrance Station. All other access to the park is free. Great Falls Canal Boat Rides cost: $8/adult (16-61), $6/senior (62+), and $5/child (4-15). Campsites are $20 each.

Time: It is open during daylight hours year round. Visitor Center hours vary on location and season (see link below). You will probably spend a couple of hours at a single location. You will need multiple days to visit the entire park.

Description: We only visited the Great Falls Tavern section of the park. First we bought tickets for a canal boat ride. While we were waiting, we hiked along the wooden walkway to the Olmsted Island Overlook of the Great Falls. The hike was very pretty and the Falls were impressive. We also saw some terrapins.

     We also explored the exhibits describing conditions for workers along the canal. It was interesting learning about how the boats and locks were operated.

     Finally we got to board a replica canal boat pulled by mules by workers dressed in period dress from the 1870's. The captain used a pole like his predecessors and other workers walked along the towpath guiding the mules. We got to go through one set of locks, which had to be opened by hand by the workers, just like during the Canal's heyday.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Canal Boat rides are available on weekends from April - mid-October (11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm). You may purchase tickets and board canal boats at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac MD 20854. Ten or more people are required in order to make advance reservations. Otherwise, all canal boats are operated on a first come/first serve basis.
- The Great Falls Tavern and Cumberland Visitor Centers are open year round, but the others are open on a seasonal basis. For addresses and hours of the 7 Visitor Centers that service the park, click here. For a complete map of the National Historic Park, click here.
- One popular activity for kids is finding animals and plants shown on the park's scavenger hunt card.
- There is a 15 mph speed limit for bikes on the towpath. A couple of different businesses offer bike and kayak rentals.

Nearby: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Harper's Ferry, Fort McHenry NM