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Welcome to the C&O Canal Trust

The official nonprofit partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Funding Priorities

Towpath Forever

Ensuring that the towpath and its resources are here forever.

Canal Classrooms

Exposing thousands of students to outdoor education programs along the Canal.

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Canal Quarters

Step back in time as you spend the night in one of seven historic lockhouses.

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Discover the Canal

Learn about the C&O Canal and plan your trip with our trip planning tools, mobile app, and itineraries.

Canal Community Days

Canal Community Days

Volunteer your time to help conserve the C&O Canal.

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Canal Towns

Visit these ten unique destinations that border the Canal.

News

C&O Canal National Historical Park Boosts Economy in Surrounding Canal Communities

Image Credit: Francis Grant-Suttie

National parks have long been revered for their natural beauty and historical significance, but they are also a vital part of our nation’s economy and help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry. According to the National Park Service’s 2023 Visitor Spending Effects Report, 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs. (more…)

Trust Thanks Donors and Attendees of Park After Dark 2024

What an exciting Saturday night at the historic Great Falls Tavern as members of the C&O Canal Communities from Alleghany County, Maryland to Georgetown, in Washington, D.C., gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the C&O Canal Trust over the past year and identify opportunities for growing their support for the Trust and the National Park Service in the coming year. (more…)

C&O Canal Trust Seeks Support for Canal Classrooms at Park After Dark
Since 2013, the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) has engaged thousands of K-12 students through Canal Classrooms, an experiential education program in hotspot areas of the Park including Great Falls, Williamsport, and Cumberland. Led by a committed group of retired educators known as the Canal Classroom Corps (CCC), the program is built on STEAM-based curricula (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). To date, nearly 70,000 students have participated in Canal Classrooms, including many who are economically disadvantaged and attend Title 1 schools. (more…)

Summer Programming Heats Up in July

The C&O Canal Trust celebrated a very active July with various events focused on stewardship, education, and beautification throughout the entire length of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). We engaged with community groups through our Canal For All program, and we welcomed corporate groups for stewardship projects. This month, the Trust worked with Anheuser Busch, Arc of Washington County, Boys and Girls Club of  Eastern Panhandle, Extreme Bike Camp, Girls Inc., the Landon School, Salesforce, and Timbrook Achievement Center / Teens Inc..

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Celebrating National Wellness Month
This August, celebrate National Wellness Month with us in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP)! National Wellness Month is focused on managing stress and creating routines that foster healthy lifestyles. The C&O Canal NHP offers a great location to explore stress management and healthy activities and routines. With over 184.5 miles to explore, the Park provides visitors with many opportunities to incorporate wellness into their daily and weekly routines.
(more…)

C&O Canal Explorer
Mobile App

Download our new mobile app to your Android or Apple phone and explore the C&O Canal in a whole new way. Get the app!

Stay The Night at a Lockhouse

Canal Quarters lockhouses offer a historic, recreational, and educational experience like no other. Book your stay today!

Enter our Monthly Photo Contest

The C&O Canal Trust sponsors a monthly photo contest highlighting the best photos you have taken of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Find out how to enter here!

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