The C&O Canal Trust offers the following guidance for independent volunteer cleanups in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. For information about our Canal Stewards and Quartermaster volunteer programs, please visit this page.
Independent volunteer cleanups in the C&O Canal must follow the regulations of the National Park Service:
You may choose to clean up trash independently within the park at your own risk. You must remove all trash that you picked up or brought with you. The C&O Canal is a Trash-Free Park. What does this mean? In 2006, the park adopted the Seven Principles of the Leave No Trace program. There are no trash barrels or dumpsters available in the C&O Canal. Leaving trash behind is considered illegal dumping, which is enforced by the United States Park Police and is subject to penalty.
If you find an artifact in the park, leave it where you find it. By leaving artifacts in place, you help to preserve the condition of archeological sites. Additionally, taking artifacts is illegal. Federal law protects archeological sites and artifacts on federal lands. You may not dig, collect artifacts, use metal detectors, or deface rock images in national park units.
Volunteer forms are not required for independent volunteer cleanups. The Trust is unable to sign Student Service Learning (SSL) forms for independent projects.
Interested in joining public group cleanup events?
The C&O Canal Trust has multiple public cleanup and beautification events each year. Please visit this page for more information on our Canal Community Days and other public volunteer opportunities.
Additionally, if you would like to talk with us about scheduling a private volunteer project for your group, please visit this page.
If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities in the park, please visit volunteer.gov.
Thank you for your dedication to helping keep the C&O Canal clean and beautiful!
Photo by Don Ramsey
Photo by John Gensor
Photo by Ellen Kinzer
