Chesapeake und Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chesapeake und Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Chesapeake und Ohio Canal National Historical Park

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Great Falls Tavern, 11,710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD 20854

The basics

Constructed flanking the Potomac River and a bustling industrial corridor for close to 100 years, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (often abbreviated to the C&O Canal, and nicknamed the “Grand Old Ditch”) was once a major shipping lifeline for local communities. Today, the canal is more bucolic than industrial, and the National Historical Park, with its many visitor centers, towpath trails, and canal boat rentals, is an attractive destination for visitors of all ages.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is host to seven visitor centers, from Washington DC to its terminus in Cumberland, Maryland. It’s easy to plan an independent visit to the section of the park that’s most convenient for you.

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Things to know before you go

  • The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, located in Potomac, Maryland, collects entry fees; all other access to the park is free.
  • The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has “leave no trace” policies in place; be sure to clean up after yourself and take away any trash.
  • Visitors are strongly cautioned to avoid entering the Potomac River, as currents can be deceptively fast-moving and dangerous.
  • The park operates a mobile app and phone tour. (Signs feature listed, toll-free numbers that offer guided park narration.)
  • Paid, private canal boat charters can be arranged via the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.
  • Dogs must be kept on leashes, and are allowed in select areas of the park.
  • Designated camping sites are located throughout the park.
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How to get there

Given that it stretches for almost 185 miles (297 kilometers), the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park can be reached by numerous forms of transportation. Visitor centers in Washington DC and Potomac, Maryland, are some of the busiest and most popular places to begin a park excursion.

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When to get there

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is open to visitors daily, during daylight hours, throughout the year. All visitor facilities are closed, however, on Thanksgiving Day (the last Thursday in November), Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year's Day (January 1). While summer is the park’s busiest time of year, winter activities—like sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing—are permitted in select areas of the park.

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The Billy Goat Trail

One of the most accessible and popular routes in the park is the Billy Goat Trail, which comprises three sections that stretch across a total of 8 miles (13 kilometers). It is reached from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The sections vary in difficulty, so you can choose one based on your ability.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQs)
Die unten aufgeführten Antworten basieren auf Antworten, die der Touranbieter kürzlich auf Fragen von Kunden gegeben hat.
F:
Welche anderen Sehenswürdigkeiten liegen am nächsten bei der Sehenswürdigkeit Chesapeake und Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
A:
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