Last Updated:       November 02, 2025

Length:                 C&O Canal Towpath; 184.5 miles

                                Georgetown to Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center; 14 miles                               

Difficulty:             C&O Canal Towpath; Easy. Flat, crushed gravel.                               

Directions:

To Start from the Rock Creek Park; Thompson's Boat House parking lot in Georgetown [Southern End]; Wisconsin Ave runs from I-495 in the north, all the way to the Potomac River south in Georgetown. In Georgetown, Wisconsin Ave ends at Water & K Streets. Turn left (east) along K St, which travels underneath the elevated Whitehurst Fwy. When you see daylight (Freeway above turns) take a right towards Rock Creek Pkwy which heads south. Quickly come to an intersection where you'll turn right into the Thompson's Boat House parking lot (Fee).

To start from the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center [Southern Section]; Alongside the C&O Canal; Take exit 41 off of I-495 and head north up Clara Barton Parkway. Then take a left onto MacArthur Boulevard and take it to Great Falls NHP. Note;  There is a fee to enter Great Falls NP.

There are many other parking lots located along the Canal, so that you may pick a trip length of your choice. The National Park Service has Maps available or 

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal started out with the purpose of connecting the Chesapeake Bay in Georgetown to the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, PA, 460 miles away. Started in 1828, 22 years later in 1850, it finally terminated in Cumberland, MD after 184 ½ miles. The Canal was already obsolete by the time it was completed; nevertheless, it remained in operation until 1924. In the early 50’s, Supreme Court Justice William Douglas led a march to save the Canal and towpath from demolition. Today it is a National Historical Park run by the National Park Service. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) runs 150 miles between Cumberland, MD, and Pittsburgh, PA. In Cumberland, the GAP joins the C&O Canal Towpath, creating a continuous 335 mile long trail from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, DC.

The C&O Canal runs along the Potomac River from the mouth of Rock Creek in Georgetown to Cumberland, MD. It contains 74 Locks to rise from near sea level to an elevation of 605 feet at Cumberland. The towpath provides a nearly level byway for bikers or hikers. The section from Georgetown to Great Falls contains 20 Locks and is 14 miles in length. For more information visit; NPS C&O CANAL & C&O CANAL TRUST .

Starting from the intersection with the Rock Creek Park Trail at Rock Creek & Potomac Pkwy in Georgetown, Washington DC [Eastern End]; As of 2025, this section of the trail is closed for construction from here West, 0.25 miles to 31st St NW.

Note; The Rock Creek Park Trail crosses here traveling North-South.

The brick lined Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail travels West, along the Northern Side of the old C&O Canal. Multiple street crossings as you travel through Georgetown. Informational signs all long the trail. Pass by Lock 1, before crossing 29th St NW and pass by Lock 2. Cross 30th St NW passing by Lock 3, followed by Thomas Jefferson St and Lock 4. Replica Canal boat located here and available for rides.

Note; North, up Thomas Jefferson St is the GEORGETOWN VISITOR CENTER .

The Canal widens here (Alexandria Aqueduct) and the trail turns to crushed gravel. It also travels below grade, traveling underneath Wisconsin Ave and a couple of mill bridges. Old mills and high stone retaining walls. Just shy of 0.5 miles you'll come to an iron bridge. Here, the trail follows along both sides of the Canal, however, to utilize the Southern Side, which is brick lined, you'll have to carry your bike up the stairs to the bridge. You then travel underneath another iron bridge before coming to the Alexandria Aqueduct footbridge at 0.6 miles. Travel underneath this bridge and you'll find a path up to this bridge. Cross the bridge and continue West, along the Southern Side of the Canal, traveling underneath the Francis Scott Key bridge. Here the trail travels alongside the Canal and above the Capitol Crescent Trail below left. Cross over the Foundry Branch Tunnel at 1.2 miles.

Note; To your left, stairs lead down to the Capitol Crescent Trail and the Foundry Branch Tunnel. This 252-foot-long tunnel takes you underneath the C&O Canal and Canal Rd to a sidewalk along the North Side of Canal Rd. It started out as a culvert, then a road and now a trail. If you head right a short distance and look right you'll spot the old 1896 Foundry Branch Trolley Trestle, which once carried commuters from Georgetown through Dalecarlia and on to Glen Echo, once home to a popular amusement park along the old Washington & Great Falls Electric Railway Company. Plans are in the works to demolish this old trestle.

The trail turns Northwest and soon parallels the paved Capitol Crescent Trail. Pass by the Fletchers Cove parking lot on your left, before coming to Fletcher’s Boathouse at 2.9 miles. Here, you can rent bikes, canoes or boats, get refreshments or use the restroom. Map Board located across the C&O Canal. Past here, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail pulls away from the Capitol Crescent Trail. Travel underneath an old RR bridge that carries the Capitol Crescent Trail over the C&O Canal. This was as far as I traveled. Travel underneath the Chain bridge at 3.9 miles. 

Note; A ramp will take you up to the Chain bridge.

Pass by a Spur Trail at 4.3 miles.

Note; This trail takes you South, to an overlook of the Potomac River. 

Quickly cross into cross into Montgomery County, MD. Cross over the C&O Canal and you'll come to Lock 5 at 4.8 miles. On your left is where the Potomac River feeds the Canal. The trail continues North, along the Western Side of the Canal. Pass by Lock 6 at 5.1 miles. Old C&O Canal Lockhouse located here, along with the Lock 6 parking lot. Next, travel underneath the Little Falls Pumping Station. 

Note; A dirt & grass trail will bring you to the Little Falls overlook. Spot a dam across the Potomac River.

Soon the trail travels along a causeway between the Canal and Potomac River. Travel underneath the Sycamore Island pedestrian bridge at 7.2 miles. 

Note; This bridge (stairs) leads to a narrow dirt trail, which takes you up to another pedestrian bridge over Clara Barton Pkwy and out to Macarthur Blvd.

Come to Lock 7 at 6.8 miles. Lock 7 parking lot located across the Lock. The trail turns West and you pass by a pedestrian bridge across the Canal at 7.4 miles. 

Note; This bridge connects to the Union Arch Trail. 

 Pass by Lock 8 at 8.1 miles

Note; Across the Canal is an old C&O Canal Lockhouse, along with picnic tables and access to the Lock 8 Path.

Travel past Lock 9, before passing by Lock 10. Lock 10 parking lot located across the Lock. Next pass by Lock 11 and another old C&O Canal Lockhouse. Pass by Lock 12, before traveling underneath I-495 and passing Lock 13, then Lock 14 at 9.2 miles. The trail and Canal pass over a tunnel for Carderock road, before passing a spur trail on your left at 10.3 miles. 

Note; This trail will take you to the Carderock parking lot. Restrooms and picnic tables.

The trail turns Northwest. Pass by the Marsden footbridge over the Canal, before coming to the Angler's footbridge 12 miles.

Note; Across this bridge, a trail will take you to the Angler's Inn parking lot. 

Cross a couple of boardwalks before passing by Lock 15 at 13.2 miles. Pass by  Lock 16, before traveling underneath a covered bridge over the Canal and coming to an overlook of the Potomac River and Rocky Islands below. Pass by Lock 17, before coming to the Great Falls overlook trailhead at 13.7 miles. I've checked out this next section. 

Note; This trail will take you to a bridge over Little Sister Falls. Continuing, you cross another bridge over a gorge. Finally you come to Great Falls overlook. Very scenic, not to be missed.

The trail then travels between the Canal and the wild Potomac River, passing by Lock 18 & Lock 19.

Note; The trail travels along both sides of the Canal here. 

Come to Lock 20 and the Great Falls Tavern across the Canal after 14 miles. The historic Great Falls Tavern was once a hotel for tourists flocking to visit the Great Falls of the Potomac, it is now a NPS Visitors Center. Hiking trails, refreshment stand, restrooms and parking lot. See; NPS; GREAT FALLS TAVERN VISITOR CENTER . Just past the Lock on your left is an overlook of the Potomac River. This was as far as I traveled. 

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail continues Northwest, to Cumberland, MD.