Chesapeake And Ohio Canal National Historic Park

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Francis Scott Key Memorial Park Archbold Parkway

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park is located in the District of Columbia and offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history.

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Summary

The park preserves the 184.5-mile-long canal that once connected Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. There are many reasons to visit the park, including the opportunity to explore the historic canal and learn about the lives of the people who worked on it.

One of the most interesting points of interest in the park is the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, which was once a busy stop for canal boats. Visitors can also explore the restored Lockhouse 6, which gives a sense of what life was like for a canal lockkeeper in the 1870s. The park also offers many miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for boating and fishing.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was originally built to transport coal from the Allegheny Mountains to Washington, D.C., and that it was also used to transport other goods such as lumber, flour, and whiskey. The canal played an important role in the development of the region and helped to fuel the growth of cities along its route.

The best time of year to visit the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers a unique experience in every season. Visitors should be sure to check the park's website for information about events and activities before planning their trip.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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