Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a National Park Service unit whose canal and towpath run 184.5 miles along the Potomac River from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. It suits walkers, cyclists and history visitors. The NPS park page, last updated August 25, 2026, lists no specific closure near Cumberland, but its river and towpath conditions text was not in the material reviewed, so check before you go.
Should you go to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park today?
Good day to go
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Tue 20Dry daytime forecast
- Wed 21Dry daytime forecast
- Thu 22Dry daytime forecast
- Fri 23Dry daytime forecast
- Sat 24Dry daytime forecast
Weather at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, today
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 am | Sunny | 35°F | 0 mph | 0% |
| 10 am | Sunny | 48°F | 0 mph | 0% |
| 12 pm | Sunny | 60°F | NE 1 mph | 0% |
| 2 pm | Sunny | 67°F | N 2 mph | 0% |
| 4 pm | Sunny | 68°F | N 5 mph | 0% |
| 6 pm | Clear | 64°F | N 1 mph | 0% |
River right now
| Flow | 581 cfs, Mon 1:15 am |
|---|---|
| Gage height | 2.78 ft, Mon 1:15 am |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 7:29 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:30 pm |
| Question visitors ask | Is the C&O Canal towpath open near Cumberland? |
|---|---|
| County | Allegany County |
| Official site | www.nps.gov |
How do you get to the Cumberland end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal?
Canal Place in Cumberland, Maryland, is a 58.1-acre heritage area at the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The park's Cumberland Visitor Center is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway station at Canal Place, and the National Park Service operates its exhibits.
The source reviewed does not give parking details for Canal Place. The NPS park page links to a Directions page, but its text was not in the material reviewed, so check the NPS directions page before you go.
Is there an entrance fee for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park collects entrance fees at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance of the canal, according to the NPS park page. The page links to a Fees and passes section, but the amounts were not in the text reviewed, so check the current fee before you go.
The sources reviewed do not state an entrance fee at Cumberland.
What rules apply on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath?
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park permits bicycle riding on the canal towpath, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, the Capital Crescent Trail and Berma Road, according to the NPS park page. The NPS Paw Paw Tunnel page, dated August 25, 2023, asks cyclists to dismount within the Paw Paw Tunnel and on its boardwalks, and says cyclists are required to dismount on the Tunnel Bypass Trail.
The same Paw Paw Tunnel page asks visitors to stay out of active work areas, access roads and staging areas, and to follow signs and flaggers. The sources reviewed do not list rules for pets, alcohol, glass or fishing.
When should you check conditions before visiting the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal?
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park's NPS park page was last updated August 25, 2026. Its Current Conditions section covers river and towpath information, which is where closures would appear, but the text reviewed did not include the status itself.
The NPS Paw Paw Tunnel page was last updated August 25, 2023. That update said the tunnel was open, the towpath was open on both ends of the tunnel, and the boardwalk construction was complete. Because that update is from 2023, check before you go.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: questions visitors ask
Is the C&O Canal towpath open near Cumberland?
The NPS park page for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was last updated August 25, 2026, and the text reviewed did not list a closure near Cumberland. Its Current Conditions section covers river and towpath status, so check that section before you go.
Where does the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal end in Cumberland?
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park ends at Cumberland, Maryland, at the western terminus of the canal. Canal Place is the heritage area at that terminus, and the Wikipedia entry for the park gives the canal's length as 184.5 miles from Georgetown.
Where is the park visitor center in Cumberland?
The Cumberland Visitor Center of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is on the first floor of the Western Maryland Railway station at Canal Place. The National Park Service operates its exhibits on the canal's history and the city of Cumberland.
Where do you pay the entrance fee for the C&O Canal?
The NPS park page for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park says entrance fees are collected at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance of the canal. The page does not give amounts in the text reviewed, so check the current fees before you go.
Can you ride a bike on the C&O Canal towpath?
Yes. The NPS park page says bicycle riding is permitted on the canal towpath, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, the Capital Crescent Trail and Berma Road. The NPS Paw Paw Tunnel page asks cyclists to dismount within the Paw Paw Tunnel and on its boardwalks.
Is the Paw Paw Tunnel open on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal?
The NPS Paw Paw Tunnel page, last updated August 25, 2023, says the tunnel and the towpath on both ends were open, with no detour. That update is three years old, so check the current status with the park before you go.
Does a scenic train leave from Canal Place in Cumberland?
Yes. The Wikipedia entry for Canal Place says the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers rides on historic trains that depart from the railway station at Canal Place. The entry does not list schedules or fares.
What is the phone number for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
The NPS park page lists the phone number as 301-739-4200 and the mailing address as 142 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795. The page was last updated August 25, 2026.
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