Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Have you heard about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)? Come visit the Discovery Space at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and learn about the New Deal Era initiative that helped improve our public lands. Discover the story of the two camps of African American CCC enrollees that helped make the canal the great place it is today. Explore the different projects these two camps completed on the canal and test your own building skills!

In March 1954, William O. Douglas and 57 others hiked down the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath to draw attention to the natural beauty and wonders of the ecosystems and history of the canal.  In honor of the 72nd anniversary of this hike, come visit the Discovery Space and learn about people who have spoken up to help preserve places like the canal!  Speak up and share your special places! And investigate how NPS preserves and conserves unique places across the nation. 

Explore the life of a lockkeeper and family in the 1870's time period with a guided tour of one of the C&O Canal's original lockhouses. Girl Scouts offer free tours of the lockhouse and grounds at Lock 24. In addition, there may be various Victorian Era demonstrations such as laundry, cider pressing, making lemonade, churning butter or ice cream and more. Visitors are welcome to participate in the activities and taste the results. 

Open every Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm, March 21st through July 12th and August 16th through December 12th. The lockhouse will be closed for bad weather. 

The C&O canal is a trash free park! Visitors won’t find any trash cans at the park and should plan on carrying any trash out with them when they go. As spring arrives, the weather warms and visitation increases from people and plants alike, swing by the Discovery Space at Great Falls Tavern for some hands-on activities and explore why the “pack-in, pack-out" model and “Leave No Trace” are important to maintaining our natural spaces! 

Built in 1801 by Abner Cloud, Jr., the house is considered one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in Washington D.C. Pre-dating the construction of the C&O Canal, the home of Abner Cloud served as the center of the family farm and fishing business.  Tour the Abner Cloud House and learn more about early 19th century farming, architecture, and the people who lived and worked on the property. 

The three-story, stone home is operated in parntership with The Colonial Dames of America and is open for tours on the first Sunday of each month from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The Abner Cloud House is located at Fletchers Cove. Admission to Fletchers Cove and the Abner Cloud House is free.

Join NPS lead hike on River Trail from 1:00 - 2:00 PM to learn about native plants and conservation at C&O Canal NHP. This is an easy, 1 mile trail that hosts native plants such as woodland phlox, golden ragwort, paw paw trees, violets, and trillium.

The River Trail is near the Great Falls Tavern in Potomac, MD.

Join us to examine the remaining evidence of a small community serving an important transportation crossroads in the 1800’s. Bridgeport – a Canal lock and lockhouse, tavern and inn, stores, residences, and outbuildings for animals and storage – grew up at the intersection of the C&O Canal at Lock 38 and the Sharpsburg-Shepherdstown Pike. Here a mixture of people worked to serve the travelers and exchange news of the region. Learn about the role of the Ferry Hill Plantation in the formation and working of the Bridgeport hamlet.

Due to limited parking at Lock 38, participants are encouraged to arrive early and drive about ¼ mile east on Canal Road (toward Antietam Creek Campground) to a larger parking area and walk back to Bridgeport/Lock 38. (Mile Marker 72.79)

Join us at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center for a ranger program and learn more about the history of the C&O Canal! A ranger will present a program with accompanying hands-on learning activities on topics including 19th-century fashion, the history of National Park Service rangers, period music, and more!