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C&O Canal
Categories: Local Flavor Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
1057 Thomas Jefferson St NWWashington, DC 20007
Neighborhood: Georgetown
(202) 653-5190
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
40 reviews for C&O Canal
Review Highlights
"And make sure to check out the Great Falls Overlook."
(in 10 reviews)
"I have been OBSESSED with the C&O towpath."
(in 4 reviews)
"...around mile 8 is gets absolutely gorgeous in the Potomac."
(in 10 reviews)
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Shaady F.
Washington, DC
12/8/2011
C & O Canal Towpath-- 184 miles-177 locks! They used to transport torpedoes in these canals! YOWZAAAA! It runs from Georgetown where 'Jack's Boat House' is... allllllll the way to Cumberland! It is naturally, has some billy goats here and there. Something cool to do is to get a group of your friends, and go on a 75 mile bike trail to Harpers Ferry (should take about a day). Go camp out there for a fort night... and then head back to DC. It is awesome. It runs along the Potomac River for quite a bit of it and its as beautiful. It all relatively flat. The ride towards Cumberland has a slight slope upward so going back into the citys easy as pie. Lots of scenic views. I take this path from DC to the Piney Meeting House Road area to head into Gaithersburg about once a week. Try it out!
I pedicabbed from DC to Harpers Ferry once. it was awesome. Went camping there. good idea. Loved it. Do it. -
Review from Jake J.
11/13/2011
My wife and I took a bike ride on the towpath last weekend, beginning at the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center and continuing to the Seneca Lock about 14km away. The entire ride was very pleasant with lots of scenery and pleasant people. Everyone we encountered was polite and friendly.
Seeing the majesty of the Potomac River west of Great Falls was a definite highlight.
If you like to explore on a bicycle, this is a place to check out. It is an easy, relatively flat ride on hard packed dirt path. It's not singletrack, but you're not coming out here to mountain bike anyway.
I intend to explore much more of this trail. -
Review from LeeAnn O.
Washington, DC
9/7/2011
Very few people know that the C&O Canal extends 184.5 miles from Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Fewer people know that you can actually bike the entire length, virtually uninterrupted (there is one detour in place right now that is scheduled to be finished in 2012), and that the National Park Service maintains FREE hiker-biker campgrounds with portapotties, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings about every 10-15 miles or so along the way.
All you need are a couple friends, a sturdy bike (a hybrid or mountain bike does well, skinny road tires do not, some parts of the trail are not as well maintained as the section near Georgetown) with a rack, some saddlebags, camping gear, and you are ready for one of the classic bike tours in the U.S. For those who don't camp, never fear, there is an abundance of small historic towns dotting the trail with everything from cheap motels, hostels, and beautiful bed and breakfasts.
I've have ridden from Cumberland to DC three times now, and each time, it's absolutely amazing. There is so much comraderie on the trail and the friends you make there will be friends for life.
The bible of the trail can be found here http://bikewashington...., which will identify every place for food, water, camping, hotels, bike shops, and provide a comprehensive packing list or itinerary for even the most unorganized. I highly recommend Shane at Freedom Trail Riders to shuttle you, your bike, and your gear to your starting point (http://www.freedomtrai...). Don't forget to stop off in Ohiopyle to play in the natural waterslides, stop by Bill's Place in Orleans... its a trail classic, pick fresh raspberries on the trail near Harpers Ferry when they are season.
For those itching for a bigger challenge, you can tack on the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, which connects right to the C&O.Listed in: Adrenaline Junkies Galore!
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Review from John H.
Baltimore, MD
11/26/2011
I love the C&O. I bicycled from Georgetown to Antietam and back to Harper's Ferry on a 1981 light touring Trek road bike (fully loaded) with semi-knobby tires. The Brooks saddle saved my ass, no pun intended. There are a few places that were pretty hairy, but the free water and camping along the trail was a great thing. I'm looking forward to another trip on a proper bike in 2012.
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Review from Demitasse E.
Manhattan, NY
10/9/2011
Very nice to walk along during the summer, and an interesting piece of history. We weren't even expecting to find it, so it was a fun surprise!
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Review from MacRae O.
10/15/2010
Field Trip Fairy strikes again!
Got to tag along on the C&O Canal boat tour with a group of excited 6th graders. I hadn't ridden the canal boats since I was a freshman in high school new to DC, and my parents dragged us kids around to every tourist destination imaginable and then some. I remember liking it well enough as a teenager, but going again as an adult -- *and* experiencing it through the eyes of a bunch of glinty-eyed kids -- is even better.
The park rangers in their 19th-century garb. The historical info imparted with passion. The authentically replicated canal boat, complete with flapping canvas cover. The sinewy mules plodding along the canal bank. The water rushing into the locks and buoying our boat like a cork. The gentleman playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "O Susannah" on the concertina, and the salty lady who volunteered to try the spoons but couldn't seem to get the hang of it and pouted the rest of the tour. Well, they all conspired to make quite an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. For the very reasonable price of five bucks.
It also reminded me how nice [and oh so easy] it is to bike along the towpath enjoying the sights and sounds of the canal. Or to stroll along leisurely, people-watching or wildlife-spotting. We're lucky to have the C&O Canal, exactly as it was built over 175 years ago, to serve as a vivid reminder of a simpler past. Even the mighty Erie doesn't exist in its original state. The C&O Canal National Park -- and our little corner of it -- is a quiet, underrated treasure. -
Review from Richard D.
New York, NY
4/7/2011
I've ridden a small section of this. I haven't done the full 187 miles or so of it though. I've only done the section from Gtown connecting to the Georgetown trail from bethesda.
This was one of my fav rides on bicycle, however the crushed gravel does not treat bicycles and bike chains too well. It's better for your knees than concrete though.
I like to stop by and watch fishermen catch catfish and see what they've caught. It's also neat to see some paddlers in the water too. -
Review from Robert S.
Washington D.C., DC
1/4/2011
I've left footsteps here, I've left tread marks from my bicycle. The only thing I ever take are memories of beautiful days and amazing pictures of the serene landscape. This fine gravel trail is a haven from the madness of automobiles and the sound of a chaotic city. Walk here for an hour or two as you stare at the canal's water and you'll forget. Pause for a minute and peer pas the trees to the Potomac, flowing in natural parallel to this man made trail.
Can you imagine the people, the animals, the boats that once frequented this same area many many years ago? Would your forefathers have thought that hundreds of years following the construction, people of a new age, a new era would take refuge in a place the toiled and worked? Recreation in a work area for both man and beast. Yes, this is how times have changed. But enjoy it nonetheless for the greatest legacy we can leave our predecessors is to appreciate what they have built by maintaining it, respecting it and enjoying it as we relax and forget the places and stress of our modern lavish lifestyles. -
Review from Stephanie W.
Arlington, VA
6/7/2010 1 photo
Whenever I'm in DC, i always make a special effort to go to Georgetown and especially the C&O canal. This historical site of locks along the Patomac makes for a perfect spot for long walks, pensive runs and amazing nature photos.
It's nothing terribly special, but it is amazing compared to the vast numbers of tourists throughout the rest of DC. It's a completely dirt trail, so it's very easy on the knees and ankles, and it's far enough away from the main streets and bridges to feel more secluded. It is a perfect spot for watching the people, the boats, the ducks/turtles, and taking time for a cute lunch or some quiet reflection.
Every time I return to the C&O canal it seems different even though I've never much explored past about 6 miles from Georgetown. Perhaps it is different, perhaps I'm different, perhaps I only manage to go there when I have a lot on my mind and many decisions to make. Either way, the 180 mile canal is the perfect place for so much nature, exploration, history and beautiful scenery. I will be back, but perhaps next time I'll explore the canal further, perhaps up into Great Falls and we'll see where it takes me from there. -
Review from Hannah C.
I have a crush on a tour guide named Possum!
This ride in the canal was just the thing to do on a hot summer day... and Possum tells a good story, and plays a mean harmonica whilst the mules and the rest of the very strong staff dressed in period clothing move the boat along. The 11 and 15 year old were as entertained as the grandparents.
It's right in the heart of everything, affordable ($5/person), and fun!
So- if you have to choose which boat to ride...
You can pay $25/person to ride the DC ducks (which is a great ride), you can pay about $14/person to ride the boat in the Potomac that goes between Alexandria & Georgetown (also fun), or you can pay $5/person to ride this historical canal boat through the locks in Georgetown.
**Sometimes they're not running..."Please call the Georgetown Visitor center at 202-653-5190 or the Great Falls Visitor Center at 301-767-3714 for the latest information."
(You can check here: http://www.nps.gov/cho...)
When the boat's not running, or if you're just looking for a place to go walking the dog, jogging, or riding your bike, the trails along the canal are great.Listed in: Dog Friendly DC, My Tax Dollars At Work
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Review from Miriam W.
6/18/2007
My most memorable moment at C&O Canal might have been after dinner at Citronelle, when my favorite Washingtonian showed it to me for the first time, explaining its history and pointing out the old towpath. But when a couple of friends came down to visit from New York, we took them there and had an experience that I have to believe would trump most others.
We'd split up with our friends momentarily only to come out of Patagonia to find them peering over the canal. As we drew closer we discovered that they were watching a man wrestling with a fish caught on his pole. From the way we watched him strain, we knew he'd caught a big one. We joined others in cheering him on from above. Finally, he was able to get the fish out of the water. "Hold it up!" shouted my friend. And he did. That sucker was HUGE!
Though looking out at the C&O with my favorite Washingtonian after dinner at Citronelle was very romantic, and something I will always remember fondly, the image of that huge fish is what springs to mind when I think of the Canal now.
A great spot for locals and visitors alike!Listed in: Perfect day in Washington,…, Romantic Restaurants in…
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Review from Mary Kay S.
Washington, DC
2/1/2008
One of the bright spots of working in Georgetown is having easy access to the C&O Canal. I walk down here a lot during lunchtime. I enjoy watching the ducks hunt for food, and hoping to spot the humongous catfish lurking in the depths.
During the warmer months there is the fabulous C&O Canal flatboat, which can take you on an hour tour through several of the canal locks. The boat is pulled up the canal by two mules on the towpath (get it, towpath?). The mules rock. They are very cool. The trip itself is kind of cool too -- it's run by Park Service employees dressed in period clothing, and you'll learn a bit of history. I just bet your out-of-town visitors will love it. My mom sure did :-)
The canal path is also a great place to ride bikes. Stop in at Dean & Deluca to grab some bread, cheese, pate, and fizzy water, then go biking up the canal. The locks are really cool close up, and the farther you go, the more wildlife can be seen.Listed in: Have Fun for Free
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Review from Lisa Z.
Los Angeles, CA
5/22/2008
Bad timing left me on the trail during a long run (DC to Bethesda and back) with two miles to complete in the dark. I admit, the canal is a creepy place at night (and especially alone), but two deer stumbled onto the trail as I was nearing Georgetown once again, reminding me of how incredible it is to have a natural space like this in the midst of such a densely populated urban environment.
Run the canal trail in the summer and you'll soon grow nostalgic for the sent of emerald water and flora lining the path. It is teeming with life--clusters of multi-generational families speaking every language imaginable, hardcore cyclists, fishermen. I witnessed a grown woman learning how to ride a bike for the first time one July. In the winter (and especially when snowy), the trail is wonderful place for isolation and quiet. I've run hundreds of miles on this trail, trained for two marathons, biked it back and forth and even skateboarded it. Before I moved back to California from DC I went on one final farewell run on it. It felt like the end of a long relationship. Sometimes I still suffer from separation anxiety and unresolved feelings of longing. -
Review from John B.
Washington, DC
11/17/2006
There are all sorts of strange wonders along the banks of this historic canal. Locks, bridges, plaques, homeless shanty towns, and a destroyed cement bridge, jutting over the river. If you're shopping in Georgetown, go down Wisconsin, and just before the Patagonia store you will find the loveliest stretch of canal, lined with Magnolia trees and photo-embossed plaques.
But go up the path, toward the Key Bridge, and you'll start to feel uneasy. You wouldn't want to be there past dark. You shouldn't be alarmed to see bum-towns (there's one in a crumbling thatched hut, just past the bridge)...just be sure to check out the wrecked concrete brige, and be sure not to buy any crack -
Review from John G.
11/19/2006
Historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal remnants with several visiting areas. Learn how the 19th century Americans moved cargo down and alongside the unnavigable Potomac river.
Nice walking, biking and running path that extends from Georgetown to Maryland. At the Great Falls, MD location, they have renovated one of the locks and it is fully functional. Local folk dress up into period costumes and you can take a ride on a period boat pulled by mules. It goes into the lock, and you get to experience the raising and lowering of the boat, just like yesteryear. -
Review from Laura H.
Washington, DC
5/17/2008
Looking for a new place to do your long run? Tired of bikers almost side swiping you? Want to run on something softer than pavement? Hate waiting at stoplights? Well, friend, I have just the place for you... the c&o towpath!
Ahhhh, my new favorite place in DC. I had a stress free 12 miler this morning thanks to this beautiful, flat, crushed stone path. It's a natural trail that gives you a fair amount of shade and some very pretty scenery. I saw three huge turtles, baby ducklings and a few butterflies just in one run. The path is populous enough to feel safe, but not overly crowded. If it's saturday morning, you'll probably find me here.Listed in: marathon training: 2009…
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Review from Reggie G.
Washington, DC
9/20/2009
Best place for long runs in DC; the boyfriend and I did 16 miles today starting at Wisconsin in Georgetown and running along into Maryland. We go an extra 2 every weekend which was a real treat this week because starting around mile 8 is gets absolutely gorgeous in the Potomac. I recommend driving out to the boathouse around mile 8 and walking from there towards Maryland if you want a nice walk.
Plus, it's all dirt so it's perfect for running with not-so-great knees. -
Review from Greg D.
College Station, TX
5/10/2009 80 photos
11 Years ago, I saw this boat on the water in the C&O Canal in Georgetown, Washington DC. Back then, I thought, "wow, I would really like to ride that."
Last week, I saw this same boat again, and thought, "That looks fun". When walking by with my wife and her father from Japan, with him being quite well experienced with rivers and boating, we had a long conversation about "Water locks", which are basically compartments that bring a vessel to a higher level, or lower it. I had never known much about that.
After brunch on the Potomac, when walking back past the C&O Canal, I noticed people in old fashioned costumes, hitching up some Mules (which are a cross between a horse and a donkey). My wife and her father were a block ahead, so I yelled up the street, "Hey!" Come check this out... And we are so glad we did. The boat was leaving in a few minutes, we grabbed our tickets (only $5) and jumped onboard.
The vessel that we rode was "THE GEORGETOWN".
This was the most interesting boat ride I have ever been on, as we used the Water Locks to raise the boat up into the main canal (and of course dropped through them on the way back). The Mules towed us, surprising fast.
Everything was reenacted in period (1800's) dress, yet the procedure were the same using ropes and gear to secure and navigate our ship (a 1982 replica of an 1830's canal boat).
Feel free to look at our photos, and I think by the smiles you can see that this is something so, so fun to do. My wife's father said to me "This is really strange yet in such a relaxing way". And considering that that is where we left him when flying back to Texas, and he flew back to Japan, it was perfect way to have some fun relaxation together at the parting of ways.
On a final note, our tour guide performed some live music for us on the way back using an instrument similar to an Accordion but smaller, and he played "Oh Susannah", and "America" as we came slowly back up the canal and locks to Georgetown, with our mules as our engines. That was beautiful. The sound of his instrument echoed off the brick walls and we could see people looking down from the bridges, smiling, as you just don't see and hear something like that very often.
Enjoy our photos. -
Review from naomi p.
San Francisco, CA
7/23/2007
The reviews here already say it all. It is just a wonderful 182 mile-long trail for people to walk, jog, and bike. There are a number of spots where you can wade in the water or go kayaking. It is stunning to see such beautiful nature only a few hundred feet from the road.
The website that I am sharing below is what got me really excited about the trail. A man took pictures along the way as he biked down this trail and made a little journal out of it. He shows people what the trail is like, along with historical facts about each part of the trail. Reading this first made my bike trip down the trail sooo much more interesting.
http://www.mcmullans.o...
ENJOY! -
Review from Jessica F.
New York, NY
7/14/2007
Not having lived in the area for a number of years, I wasn't going to add a review to the ones here, but I feel like it's important that I do to mention one key thing that almost nobody has made mention of:
The enormity of the C&O Towpath.
If memory serves, it runs 182 miles to Cumberland, Maryland, and not only affords much pleasure in the immediate DC city area, but provides amazing exploring all the way to the end. My favorite place to walk the towpath is in Sharpsburg, not far from Harpers Ferry, Antietam and the lovely town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, home to the Yellow Brick Bank restaurant. Wild and overgrown, the canal still exists, and the towpath is accessible for the same walking and biking.
These wonderful walks exist throughout the towpath's stretch. Since so many people in DC have cars, I would like to encourage them to see more of it, with the added benefit of gorgeous countryside. Antique in Brunswick, Maryland or cross the Potomac on the Jubal Early ferry, the last remaining private ferry crossing on the Potomac at White's Ferry. If you haven't crossed the Potomac on a cable-pulled raft, you haven't lived. -
Review from Kelly P.
8/30/2007
Beyond the nightmares I have of being dropped off 8 miles away from campus then instructed to run home at 'tempo' pace (intervals of 6-minute-miles with a 1 minute break in between), the tow path is a great place to run in DC.
You've got the canal on one side and Rock Creek Park on the other, and faced with a long stretch of soft gravel sans exhaust, stop lights, drunk Georgetown kids and bums harassing you on the street.
It can get a little creepy when the sun goes down...while I still feel a bit safer here than in Rock Creek Park, I wouldn't recommend jogging on either trail alone. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Arlington, VA
9/19/2006 3 photos
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (with several visiting centers - this being one of them, and where the canal begins) is now a National Historical Park, but was once a working canal that would have been built through all the way to the Ohio River had it not been for a technological improvement, the railway system.
The tow path is a great place to ride bikes, run and fish (you'll see lots of turtles and some Blue Heron also), but for a historical or lazy man's version of seeing the canal you can take the boat ride (pulled by mules!) offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer out of the Georgetown visitor center or the Great Falls, MD visitor center. Your tour guides dress in period costumes while you pass aqueducts, lock houses and lock gates. The park rangers, your tour guides, have lots of interesting little factoids to share too (which I am a huge fan of). This is actually a really interesting lesson in history and I recommend it for families who want to make learning more fun and interactive (or for the adult with ADD, like me).Listed in: DC's LESSER known places to…
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Review from Zsa Zsa D.
Washington, DC
3/18/2008
It is shameful that this past weekend I made my first foray onto the C&O Canal towpath- that's what they call the flat gravel trail running along the canal, yes? Anyway, it was a beautiful brisk sunny Sunday and the bf and I, as part of our training for the Cherry Blossom ten-miler, decided to take a field trip for our weekly long run. It was well worth it.
We ran several miles out on the trail and then ran back into Georgetown. Along the way we saw ducks, herons, dogs, babies, bikers, backpackers, and scads of runners in spandex who seemed way more hard core than us. The lovely scenery really helped the miles fly by. I'd like to come back this summer for a boat ride. -
Review from Kelly G.
Updated - 2/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yuck. Its still dried up due to repairs. I love this canal so I'll have to revisit and upgrade my yelp when the repairs are done. 2/5/11
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2010
I walked along the canal to avoid the crowds on M street. It was nice and peaceful. I had time to… Read more »
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Review from Jeff H.
Arlington, VA
7/27/2010
I log a lot of miles on the C&O every year. Some of my favorites runs there have been at odd times, like Christmas Day. So this Sunday I was about to head out from my home in Arlington to hit the Custis Trail down to the Key Bridge, across to the C&O, up to Chain Bridge, then back down Military Road to home -- it's about a 10 mile loop for me and one I do a couple times a month. I was fortunate to be upgrading a running playlist on the ipod when the big storm hit so I didn't get caught out in that mess.
I headed out right after the storm subsided and when I got down to the C&O it wasn't as muddy as I expected it to be, there were plenty of people out on it, and as the pictures attest there was some added adventure to what is typically a pretty boring, but consistent, running trail.
The surface is joint friendly, there is water at Fletcher's near mile 3 (seasons permitting) and always enough human traffic to make it safe.
If you haven't experienced one of the classic runs in the DC area, you're missing out. -
Review from Leon S.
Alexandria, VA
11/24/2008
I have been OBSESSED with the C&O towpath. In just this last year I've done 3 through trips (Cumberland to DC) along with several shorter trips. For me it is a unique treasure.
There is incredible history, natural and man-made beauty along the 180 or so miles. Like many other reviewers, my favorite section is along Great Falls and the section just south where a small lake has formed. That said, there many wonderful sections.
On my first trip in April, I saw HUNDREDS of turtles on logs warming themselves in the weak morning sun near Cumberland. The Paw Paw tunnel is an amazing feat of 1800's construction though it desperately needs an update with lighting. Around Harper's Ferry in the summer you share the trail with rafters. Near DC there are many joggers and people just strolling. -
Review from Chloe F.
8/25/2007
I once had the crazy idea to participate in a 64 mile WALK in 24 hours, starting at the C&O and ending up somewhere in Maryland. I was not alone, I actually convinced a friend it would be a good idea.
On the day we actually decided to "train" we walked 20 miles...there and back....and I swore I never wanted to touch foot on that path ever again. Needless to say, we didn't do that 64 miles walk.
When not delusional, as above, the C&O offers some great running, walking, and bike riding paths. Mostly shaded, you can still go far in DC summer heat. Take the path up to Bethesda and hop on Rock Creek on the way back down, and you've made yourself a great biking loop. The canal paths aren't too crowded, and people are relatively aware.
Woo hoo!Listed in: Pedal Power
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Review from Jason R.
New York, NY
7/20/2009
The C&O Canal was one of my favorite spots to walk along. It was never too crowded like some of the more popular spots in DC and you can sit along the way and just enjoy the peacefulness of it all.
Watching the mules pull the boat along the canal was always a favorite of mine it always made me laugh. -
Review from Dee B.
10/13/2008
The Bethesda/Potomac portion of the C&O Canal National Park is one of my favorite places in the DC area.
I took advantage of my long weekend and visited the Great Falls MD area twice in three days, and I'm so glad I did. Walking along the towpath, surrounded by the Canal on one side, the Potomac on the other, a bright blue sky above you, trees and wildlife every where -- how can you not love life? One day I saw a content family of 5 turtles sunning themselves on a log, and a great blue heron catch and eat a fish. Another day a friend and I watched a great blue heron quietly go about the task of patiently hunting and waiting for the opportune moment to catch a fish. (Our patience, however, ran out, and we kept walking.)
Yes, on lovely days the place can get a bit crowded, particularly close to the entrance/parking lot. But there's still plenty of space and at times you'll not spot a single soul.
And make sure to check out the Great Falls Overlook. -
Review from Amanda M.
Washington, DC
11/3/2010
This trail is great for a good run or for a leisurely stroll. If running, you can clock some distance given the length of the trail. If a stroll is more your speed, there are historic markers along the trail which tell you about its history and explain how the locks on the canal worked. You can enter the trail from Georgetown or from Great Falls, MD. If you drive to Great Falls and park, there's a $5 fee since you enter through Great Falls National Park. The views of the Potomac and the falls, and in Maryland, there's access to the Billy Goat trail, a moderate hiking trail right along the water. The C&O Canal is awesome and another reason we're lucky to live in D.C.
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Review from Sarah W.
Washington, DC
9/22/2009
My absolute favorite place to run in DC - thank god I had the towpath during marathon training! My knees and feet aren't great, so running on the packed dirt is heavenly (but watch out for the rocks), and the scenery is even better. It's mostly shady with gorgeous views of the river and the canal. The whole way is beautiful, but once you get about 7 or 8 miles out and beyond...oh man. You'll forget you're anywhere NEAR a major metropolis! I wish there were bathrooms in the little houses along the water because when you're on a looong run, nature calls, but then again, you're out IN nature, so....you do what you gotta do :)
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Review from Andrew L.
Chesapeake Beach, MD
9/23/2008
The canal takes on different forms depending on how far you are willing to go.
If you are just in Georgetown or working and need a stress break, a walk between 30th and 34th Street is a pleasant way to unwind a bit and think about things without the hassle of everyday life.
If you are a jogger or biker looking for a bit of exercise, than Georgetown is just the start. A run or ride up to the Chain Bridge is a nice bit of exercise (don't forget you have to go back every mile you go up) and you can get away from some of the tourists down in the G'town section. I've even skated up to around this bit when the Canal was frozen solid (though the cops were yelling at me because I wasn't supposed to be on the ice as it was 'unsafe', but what the heck, like they were going to get out of their cars and write me a ticket?).
If you are really out for a good ride, than the 15 mile trip to Great Falls via the towpath is a must. There are a few sections of the canal where the water widens and trees hand down over the edge. There's also a bit where you'll have to walk your bike over some rocks. The reward of sitting around on the rocks at Great Falls makes the ride all the more enjoyable (though a few times I've gone up to the main road and rode back on asphalt rather than the path, just because I was pressed for time.
Definitely worth seeing 'all versions' of the Canal if you've got the time and energy to spare. -
Review from Rebecca Y.
Washington, DC
7/8/2010
This place is awesome for a long run, biking, or walking. It's secluded enough to make you feel like you're not in the city anymore. Awesome views of the canal. Great for reflection or just when you need some time to yourself. Being here reminds me of that beautiful Emerson quote: "In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life, -- no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair." A really nice escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
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Review from Amy O.
4/16/2010
I was so excited about taking the canal ride, but got there and there was no water! I know the winter had a TON of snow, so what gives? And the canal is super dirty without the water...eck. But, hey...would love to do this when there is water. Possibly the area we were in wasn't correct? We followed the directions and we were in Georgetown...but, nothing...
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Review from Anthony I.
Arlington, VA
6/8/2009
Having this park so close to home is a real undiscovered gem and I regret that I don't use it more often. Soon that will change as I am planning to ride the whole canal by bike, all 185 miles over 3 days! Some must sees on the canal are the boat ride and mules in Georgetown at the southern end, Great falls overlook and The Billy Goat Trail, definitely Section A at around miles 15 or so, Harper's Ferry and so much more. This park is great, in some parts it can get crwoded but simply keep walking or riding and soon you will be all alone in your own pristine hideaway, I really enjoy riding under 395 with the cars howling above and the peace embracing you as you leave "the belt way". I hear they have a new program that allows you to actually stay in one of the many restored canal homes along the route. Check out The National Parks Website for more info and go take a hike!
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Review from Donald J.
Woodinville, WA
4/13/2011
One of the best things to do in the DC area. I have not done the entire trip, but loved what I did do - Georgetown is lovely. Can't wait to go again.
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Review from Steven G.
Washington, DC
11/15/2008
I like the C&O for short runs, and given the pluses Scenic, check; flat, check; not cement, check; boring as hell, check... wait a second. OK, it's beautiful, but it's a little too scenic for my book. We did 10 miles up and back from G-Town last weekend and after a few miles I've seen enough trees and enough canal and I got a little bo-red. Yes, I know all the autumn leaves and inner peace bull crap, but every now and then I want to be nearly run over by a taxi or assualted by a panhandler (why would I have any change if I'm running?) to keep things interesting... I'm sure for most this would be exactly what they want in a run, but not me. Also there are really no water spots on the trail (though on weekends you can usually mooch off the running groups who set stuff up, yay! mooching!!!)
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Review from Allison K.
Arlington, VA
1/29/2010
What a great place to come and see the city while getting your exercise! Just below the towers of Georgetown is my favorite entrance to the canal trail. Walk up towards Maryland with the Potomac on your left, and check out the three sisters islands. There's a great old legend that goes with it, but I'm keeping it a DC secret. Check it out at the library, or with any of the park guides.
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Review from Maxwell S.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2006
It's pretty cool when you can mix your shopping at, for instance, a mall or boutique kind of place in Georgetown with a little history. That's the case with the Georgetown Canal. The Canal is a bit touristy, there's actually a boat that is pulled down the Canal by a donkey with tours given by tour guides in overalls and straw hats - good for laughs, and tourists.
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Review from Trevor S.
Bethesda, MD
12/5/2009
Great place for family's to go. Bring your dog you are in for a great time.
