C&O Canal National Historical Park
C&O Canal National Historical Park
C&O Canal National Historical Park
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
30
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
2
jbwhitehouse
Dallas, TX1,834 contributions
Aug 2022
No boat tours due to being short staffed. Visitor Center young lady in one of the warehouses was very knowledgeable. Good Jr. Ranger offerings. Good location to see the lift locks, turning basin, Lock House No. 44, aqueduct, railroad lift bridge, and towpath. Nice walking and biking area.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lavalink2
Charles Town, WV39 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
It’s a good place to relax National Park office not open every day. This is a hard place to find If you want to go and get any information go on the weekend.
Written August 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k3ew
Gaithersburg, MD226 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
I am a Bike Patroller for the C&O Canal NHP out of Great Falls, Md group, but I patrol all sections of the 184.5 mile long park. I am basically a docent, handing out information to visitors, in addition to being First Aid/CPR qualified and qualified as a bicycle field repairer. I have been riding in this park for over ten years and have been patroller for the last 6 years. Meeting through bikers traveling from Pittsburgh to DC and day riders on various sections I have had the pleasure of making many of these travelers more comfortable on their rides. Please visit the park and enter at the many easily accessible points along the way. Please see the C&O NHP website and Facebook page for more information and maps
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaimeelsabio
Maryland4,317 contributions
Aug 2020
We picked up the canal tow path at the aqueduct. The tow path trail is nice and a great place to get out and get some exercise. The canal on the other hand, is nothing but a pool of stagnant water covered with algae. Thought I'd give this section of the canal a try, but will return to Great Falls in the future since the views are nicer there.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SlingshotGA
Nebo, IL154 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
Construction of this historical canal begun in 1829 and was obsolete by the time it was complete in the 1850’s. The canal served the region till 1924 when major flooding along the Potomac river shut it down for good. It was sold to, of all things, the Baltimore & Ohio (now CSX) railroad and lay dormant till 1942. Strapped for cash, the B&O sold the canal to, of all things, the federal government who had absolutely no idea what to do with it. In the 1950’s there was talk about paving over the canal to make a automobile parkway similar to the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah parkway. Chief Justice Douglas stepped in and persuaded the federal government not to do this. It wasn’t till 1968 that the National Park Service assumed responsibility for the new C&O Canal National Historic Park. Originally intended as a hiking trail, the towpath has morphed into the premier bicycle trail connecting with the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) at the western terminus in Williamsport, MD. There are hiker-biker camp grounds (free of charge) approximately every 6 to 8 miles along the 184.5 mile towpath. It is possible to bicycle from Pittsburg, PA all the way to Georgetown and eventually the nations capital. Along with camp grounds, there are porta-johns and well pumps along the way. Amenities such as lodging and restaurants are located close by as the towpath parallels the Potomac River. You start out at sea level and climb to 604 feet when you reach Cumberland 184 miles away for an average elevation gain is less than one foot per mile. The area is steeped in Colonial, Revolutionary War, and Civil War history. Other historic sites include Harper’s Ferry, Antietam National Battle Field, Fort Frederick State Park, Western Maryland Railtrail, and Paw Paw Tunnel.
Written October 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M C
Easton, PA104 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Visitor center is closed according to the answering machine. Outdoor areas are accessible. The aqueduct is probably the most interesting thing.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly
Washington DC, DC25 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Pretty little park, with a fun free boat ride provided by a ranger on the weekends. Lots of interesting info in the museum and visitor’s center. Well worth a stop!
Written October 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris and Alison USA
Hackettstown, NJ600 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Beautiful area, but...they are doing construction on the bridge at the time of this review (July 2, 2018) and the place is a mess with cranes, equipment and hard working construction men.
Also, ALWAYS check the National Park web site for the attraction you are visiting or better yet..CALL. We went by the GOOGLE maps web site/review and the hours were WRONG.
So, I'm sure this is a 4 or 5 star attraction but weren't able to get inside and recommend another time when construction is done.
Also, ALWAYS check the National Park web site for the attraction you are visiting or better yet..CALL. We went by the GOOGLE maps web site/review and the hours were WRONG.
So, I'm sure this is a 4 or 5 star attraction but weren't able to get inside and recommend another time when construction is done.
Written July 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheSciolist
Guildford, UK347 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Being canal enthusiasts from the UK it was a great chance find to break our journey at Williamsport and find the visitors Center open. A very enthusiastic ranger explained the nearby features - the raising bridge, the aqueduct (being reconstructed) and the nearby lock.
On a good day it would be a nice walk half mile along the towpath to see all these features, but today in the rain, we drove between them.
The small museum at the visitor centre gave a good background on the history too.
On a good day it would be a nice walk half mile along the towpath to see all these features, but today in the rain, we drove between them.
The small museum at the visitor centre gave a good background on the history too.
Written June 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LNLew
CA330 contributions
Jun 2017
The trail is great to ride and hike. It's shady and nice even in the heat. The NPS offers boat rides at 11 and 2.
Written June 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonnie w
Martinsburg WV1 contribution
is there a charge for the boat ride
dkorwood
Navarre, FL1,943 contributions
This ride is complimentary and you need to check in at museum/ gift shop or meet the Ranger at the dock. Only 10-12 passengers per boat. There are 3 boats but not all in operation at all times. Today rides were at 11am and 1 pm only. No rides on Monday or Tuesday.
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Claim your listingC&O Canal National Historical Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about C&O Canal National Historical Park
- Hotels near C&O Canal National Historical Park:
- (0.21 mi) Bay Farms Bed and Breakfast
- (1.55 mi) Elmwood Farm Bed and Breakfast
- (2.15 mi) Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Williamsport
- (3.69 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Hagerstown
- (7.27 mi) Hampton Inn Hagerstown
- Restaurants near C&O Canal National Historical Park:
- (0.22 mi) The Smokin Toad
- (0.24 mi) Tony's New York Pizza
- (0.25 mi) C&O Grill and Pub
- (5.17 mi) Rik's Cafe
- (6.24 mi) Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant
- Attractions near C&O Canal National Historical Park:
- (0.20 mi) C&O Canal Historical Park
- (0.29 mi) Odyssey Gifts
- (0.29 mi) St. Augustine's Catholic Church
- (9.73 mi) Antietam Battlefield Guides
- (9.74 mi) Antietam National Battlefield
C&O Canal National Historical Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 73 |
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Very Good Reviews | 30 |
C&O Canal National Historical Park Photos | 79 |