Lock in memories, unlock the secrets in Montgomery County, Maryland
The C&O Canal National Historical Park, a narrow strip of land stretching 184.5 miles from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Md., is a treasure trove of American history, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation. The canal and towpath, once a vital transportation route, offers group travelers a unique glimpse into the past.
Montgomery County, Maryland Insider
GATHER
Poolesville Day in September features a parade, charity run, kids’ activities, vendors, live music, and an EV car show. For the art lovers in your group, local visual, sculptural, and textile artists open their galleries and studios for special tours in April, October, and December.
SHOP LOCAL (OR NOT)
Enjoy a treat at the cozy coffee, ice cream, and gift shops at The Family Room in Laytonsville, or find one-of-a-kind items at Kensington Antique Row, the D.C. area’s biggest and oldest antiquing district. For great deals, head to Clarksburg Premium Outlets, which boasts over 100 luxury outlet brands.
EXPERIENCE THE CANAL
The park offers rides on a reproduction canal boat. Mules pull the boat along the canal while park rangers in historical dress work the locks, guide the boat, and present a historical program.
FOLLOW YOUR TASTE BUDS
Enjoy sweet treats on the Ice Cream Trail; explore the Tastemakers Trail for breweries and more; and travel the Libations Trail for locally made beer, wine, and spirits. Or take a wine tour to The Crossvines in Poolesville or Windridge Vineyards in Darnestown.
COME AND PLAY
Glen Echo Park originated as a Chautauqua retreat and was later an amusement park. These days, groups can ride a vintage carousel, check out the Streamline Moderne architecture, participate in social dance programs, and take part in art programs developed by resident artists.
Understanding the Canal’s Rich History
The history of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal spans over two centuries. Started in 1784, the canal was designed to connect the Potomac River to the Ohio River, revolutionizing trade and commerce between the East Coast and the Midwest.
An elevation change of 605 feet required the canal to have 74 locks, 11 aqueducts, and over 240 culverts. The Paw Paw Tunnel, a feat of engineering that’s over 3,000 feet long, saved stonemasons and other laborers from having to build 6 miles of canal. Construction was slow, with many setbacks and changes in ownership, but the canal was finally opened in 1850.
At its peak in the 1870s, the C&O Canal was a bustling hub for transporting coal, agricultural products, and more. But it took mules about a week to pull boats laden with tons of cargo from Cumberland to Washington, D.C.—so with the advent of speedy railroads and highways, the canal’s importance declined until it was officially closed in 1924.
The Great Falls of the Potomac is one of the steepest and most dramatic rapids of any river in the eastern U.S.
Countryside Artisans open their studios for art tours and visits throughout the year. Visit countrysideartisans.com to learn more about this select group of artists.
Located in western Montgomery County, the quaint canal town of Poolesville is rich in Colonial and Civil War history, agritourism, eclectic shopping, dining, and more.
A hike or bike ride along the C&O Canal offers picturesque views of the Potomac River with historic landmarks along the way.
Exploring Historic Sites
Today, the C&O Canal is a National Historic Park, with many sections restored and open to visitors. It boasts over 1,000 historic structures, including locks, aqueducts, the ruins of a gold mine, and a ferry that ran from the early 1800s until 2020. Seven visitor centers offer displays and exhibits on the history of the canal; free motorcoach parking is available at the Carderock Recreation Area, as well as at Riley’s Lock and Seneca Aqueduct.
As groups explore the park, they may stumble upon a series of historic lockhouses, each one a testament to the canal’s industrial past. These rustic structures, once used to control the water level and facilitate boat traffic, now serve as visitor centers, museums, and even overnight accommodations for individuals, according to Aynae Simmons, communications coordinator for Visit Montgomery.
History buffs will also be interested in the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda. This former plantation property—about 20 minutes from Great Falls—is where famous abolitionist, author, and preacher Josiah Henson was enslaved. Henson was the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which inspired the abolitionist movement around that time and may have helped to set off the Civil War. Groups can visit the original home of former plantation owner Isaac Riley, which features museum exhibits telling the story of Henson’s life.
Tickets for the museum cost from $4-$5, and parking is available 1.5 blocks away at the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center.
The C&O Canal Transportation Scholarship program helps fund student bus trips to the park. For more details and to apply, visit home.nps.gov/choh/learn/education/classrooms/busscholarship.htm.
Appreciating the View
With diverse ecosystems spread over 20,000 acres of land, the C&O Canal National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, botanists, and wildlife enthusiasts. Groups might spot deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks—as well as bright butterflies, beautiful birds, or any one of over 113 rare and threatened species of plants and animals. (Threatened species are those that are likely to become endangered soon throughout most of their range.)
The park also offers a variety of activities to suit all ages and abilities. Groups can hike the towpath or local trails—the towpath is flat, and most of the hiking trails are relatively gentle—taking in stunning vistas and historic landmarks along the way. Alternatively, they can rent a bike and pedal along the canal. For those seeking a more leisurely pace, there are plenty of picnic spots, camping areas, and scenic overlooks to take in the views.
If the best view is what you are after, Simmons recommends the Great Falls Overlook, which features rapids that tumble dramatically over rocks. “There’s an island you can access via a footbridge, so you can see both the Maryland side and the Virginia side,” she says. The area is also wheelchair accessible, and the park has wheelchairs available.
After viewing the rapids, groups might head to the Great Falls Tavern—a lockhouse that was expanded into a hotel and later turned into a visitor center with interpretive displays and a bookshop.
The Great Falls area is the only part of the C&O Canal Park that’s not free; fees vary for groups, says Simmons, depending on how many seats are on the motorcoach. You can park at the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, just be sure to download your pass before entering the park (there is limited cell service) and be ready with a credit card or other form of contactless payment.
The C&O Canal National Park has something for everyone, from its rich industrial past to its stunning natural beauty. “Visit Montgomery welcomes ABA tour operators and groups to explore Montgomery County and the historical C&O Canal,” says Simmons. “There’s so much exploring, shopping, dining, and learning for groups to experience in Maryland’s Cultural Capital.”
Visit Montgomery, Maryland | visitmontgomery.com | (240) 641-6749
Linda Formichelli is a freelance writer in Raleigh, N.C.
Photo credits: Visit Montgomery; Pam Heemskerk.
