Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
National Historical Park located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia
About Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Stretching184.5mi (296.9km)along the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves remains of America's colorful canal era. For nearly a century, the C&O Canal was the lifeline for communities and businesses along the Potomac, as coal, lumber, grain, and other agricultural products gently floated down the canal to market. This magnificent water highway linked the rapidly growing west to the east and played an important role in the growth and development of the country. The construction of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal started on July 4, 1828 and lasted for 22 years. The canal was completed on October 10, 1850 at a cost of about $14 million. The canal was 184.5 miles long, 6 feet deep and 60-80 feet wide. There
Top Attractions in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Explore the best things to see and do in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park:
- ★Brunswick Visitor Center
- ★Cumberland Visitor Center
- ★Georgetown Visitor Center
- ★Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
- ★Hancock Visitor Center
- ★Williamsport Visitor Center
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: