• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Boat Rides at Great Falls

    Due to fluctuating water conditions, we cannot guarantee each ride scheduled. Please call 301-767-3714 to confirm the schedule for the day. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

  • Towpath at Big Slackwater OPEN

    As of September 22, 2012 the towpath is now open in the area known as Big Slackwater (Mile 85.8-88.9). The road detour no longer needs to be used. Towpath access at McMahons Mill (mile 88.1) is still closed until further notice.

Operating Hours & Seasons

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is open during daylight hours year round. The Great Falls Tavern, Williamsport and Cumberland visitor centers operate year round, while other park visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. All facilities are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. For hours of operation and visitor center information please select from the following list of visitor center locations.

Georgetown: Open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm,

1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-653-5190

Great Falls Tavern: Open daily 9:00am-4:30pm
11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854, 301-767-3714

Brunswick: Open Friday, 10:00-2:00, Saturday 10:00-4:00, and Sunday 1:00-4:00
40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716, 301-834-7100

Ferry Hill Place: Open Memorial Day through September Daily 9:00-4:30
Sharpsburg Pike, MD 21782
For information call the Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813

Williamsport: Open Wednesday through Sunday 9:00-4:30
205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795, 301-582-0813

Hancock: Open Memorial Day to mid-October Thursday to Monday 9:00-4:30
439 E. Main St., Hancock, MD 21750, 301-745-5877

Cumberland: Open daily 9:00-5:00
Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 100, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502
301-722-8226

Did You Know?

Photo Maryland Gold Mine.

There are several gold mines in the Great Falls area.  The largest of these is the Maryland Mine located at the intersection of Falls Road and MacArthur Boulevard near Potomac, Maryland.  Gold was first discovered here by a Union soldier from Pennsylvania during the Civil War.