C & O Canal Towpath National Park History

C&O Canal National Park History for the cyclist

Before you go on a C & O Canal cycle tour.. 

3 Day Highlight Tour or 6 Day C & O Full Tour

The story of this National Park began in 1938, when the U.S. government purchased the right of way of the 184.5 mile long canal. The plan was to restore the corridor as a natural recreational area. The first 22 miles of the canal were repaired and rewatered.  Further work on the restoration of the canal was halted due to World War II restrictions.  

Today the C & O Canal National Historic Park, includes nearly 20,000 acres (80 km²) and receives over 3 million recorded visits each year.  The major use of the park is cycling on the towpath.  Close to Washington DC, the towpath serves bike commuters en masse.  Once beyond the beltway, the fervor of Washington fades and you will feel as if you are cycling along in the early 1900’s.   Through bikers, traversing the entire length of the canal are a much more common sight nowdays then mules pulling barges.

As you bike or explore the C & O Park, stories of western expansion, transportation, engineering, the Civil War, immigration, industry and commerce will unfold around you.

The National Park Service maintains, excellent museums and interpretation centers in the following locations:  Cumberland Maryland, Cushwa Basin, Great Falls, Maryland

Flooding that was ultimately the demise of the C & O Canal as a commercial enterprise Contiunes to plague the Park Service today. Flooding continues to threaten historical structures on the canal and attempts at restoration. The Park Service has rewatered portions of the canal, but the majority of the canal does not have water in it.

Looking for more information before your cycle tour through the C & O Canal National Park?

C & O Canal National Park Official website

C & Canal Towpath History

C & O Canal Towpath Quick Facts

C & O Canal towpath surface for biking

Pictures of the C & O Canal Towpath National Park

Take a cycling trip on the C and O Canal

Call 800-272-4141 to book your bike tour

Request 12 page detailed Information & Itinerary

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