C&O Canal National Historical Park & Towpath

The C&O Canal Experience

The C&O Canal National Historical Park was the 10th most visited national park in the US in 2021 and preserves and interprets the 19th-century transportation canal from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, MD, and its associated scenic, natural, and cultural resources.

184.5 Miles of Adventure

From Georgetown to Cumberland, MD, the C&O Canal is full of history and adventure. With 48 miles of the C&O Canal located in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, you will find unique opportunities to learn about the history of the canal, embark on journeys through our parks, forests, and the Potomac River, and delight in the food and culture in our trail towns of Frostburg and Cumberland.

For History

Beginning in the early 1800s, Allegany County served as a vital hub for the coal and other industries as well as the staging and outfitting point for westward migration. Where the C&O Canal, the Western Potomac, major roads, and railroads converged, the western region of America connected to the eastern seaboard. The very first portion of the National Road, the first federally funded highway that stretched through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, began construction here in 1811 and eventually became known as "The Road that Built a Nation." At the same time, a budding railway system began to take shape here in the very nascent days of canal and railroad transportation. The story of this area's role in the history of the railroad is legendary, if still somewhat unknown. Explore these areas for historical context, full museum exhibits, canal boat replicas, engineering feats, and so much more.

Allegany Museum

The Allegany Museum offers an in-depth journey through Allegany County and the…

Paw Paw Tunnel

Stretching from Georgetown to Cumberland, the canal was used as a way to transport…

Canal Place Heritage Park

Canal Place's ongoing mission is to honor and preserve local heritage and the C&O…

For Outdoor Adventure

The C&O Canal's 12-foot wide, nearly-level path was built for mules to pull the canal boats along the 184.5-mile canal from Cumberland, MD, to Georgetown. Today, the path is an internationally recognized recreation biking and hiking trail, maintained by the National Park Service. Outfit yourself with a bike rental or bring your own to experience the natural beauty and history of the trail.

Potomac River Access

It is a favorite past time to grab an inner-tube, canoe, or kayak and hop on the Potomac River for a lazy float down the water.

C&O Canal National Historical Park and Towpath

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of…

Great Allegheny Passage

Chosen by National Geographic as one of the "Top Fall Trips In The World," the Great…

Green Ridge State Forest

Welcome to Green Ridge State Forest. At 49,000 acres, Green Ridge is the largest…

For Food and Culture

Cumberland and Frostburg are both official trail towns on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail and the C&O Canal Towpath, full of unique and charming shops and eateries. Both towns are state-designated Arts and Entertainment and Main Street districts and both share roots in the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area transportation story. Delight in architectural beauty, small-town charm, and vibrant scenes. Be sure to take the self-guided walking tours while you visit.