When President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in 1961, he sought to preserve an essential part of the United States' development. The park covers nearly 20,000 acres over a stretch of 184.5 miles alongside the Potomac River. Initially, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was constructed to facilitate barges carrying raw materials from the country's interior to the eastern seaboard. The project's target was Pittsburgh, PA, but the development and improvement of trains ended the canal's expansion at Cumberland, MD. Restaurants and shops grew alongside the park, which draws in over five million people per year.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is ideal for users of RVs as vacation vehicles. With an RV, campers can enjoy every terrain by parking in an RV campground, exploring the area, and then picking up stakes to move to the next landscape. With virtually no campgrounds for RVs inside the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, campers depend on boondocking or organized campgrounds that sprang up after the park began attracting potential customers. To rent an RV in the area, visit one of the RVshare sites above.
RV Rentals Near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Things To Do Near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
With the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park running through large and small communities, there are several opportunities to visit unique shops and restaurants while walking through or alongside the park. In addition, several hiking and biking trails run through sections of the park. Fishing opportunities abound as lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks wind their way through one area or another of this park.
Hiking Trails
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Paw Paw Tunnel Trail
This trail leads from the trailhead near Oldtown, MD, to the famous Paw Paw Tunnel. Along the way, hikers get to stop and experience incredible views of the Potomac River. Some inclines elevate the trail as much as 856 feet with dips afterward.
Location
Oldtown, MD
Length
6.4 Miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Great Falls Overlook Trail
The Great Falls Overlook Trail lies just outside the city limits of Potomac, MD. Many local hikers use this trail for their daily exercise. The trail only elevates 89 feet over its entire length. Most of the pathway is under tree cover, but, at times, the trees open to frame amazing views of the Potomac River.
Location
Potomac, MD
Length
1.3 Miles
Intensity
Easy
Sightseeing
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Dumbarton Oaks Garden
On the highest hill in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., there is a 53-acre area dedicated to the study of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian history and garden and landscape design. The garden is famous for its attention to detail and elegant landscape statements. The views from this garden include the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Location
1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
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George Washington's Headquarters
Located at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal's western terminus, George Washington's Headquarters was constructed by men under General Braddock during the French and Indian War to be the office for Colonel George Washington. Washington again used the office in 1794 as a headquarters during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Location
38 Green Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
Museums
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The Mansion on O Street
There are not many museums like The Mansion on O Street. The agenda covers all the arts through every age, from classical to modern. Whether a visitor is looking for memorabilia about Native Americans or wishes to attend a Cole Porter creations concert, this is the place to visit.
Location
2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
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Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum, education, and research complex in the world. Exhibits at the Smithsonian are in constant flux. Visiting this museum exposes visitors to subjects from the birth of the sun to space flight.
Location
1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Pillar and Post
One of the finest gift shops in the country and a great place to check out British antiquities is the Pillar and Post in Georgetown. You find those items like exotic-aroma candles, theme-based coffee mugs, and Christmas tea towels at this shop.
Location
1647 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007
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Walmart Supercenter
When you reach the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal's western terminus in Cumberland, MD, you find a Walmart Supercenter. At these stores, visitors to the park find all the essentials they need to continue to hike through the area, including groceries, shoes, apparel, and medicines.
Location
12500 Country Club Mall Road, Lavale, MD 21502
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Ristorante Ottaviani
For a fine Italian meal, visit the Ristorante Ottaviani in Cumberland, MD. The menu at this restaurant includes old family recipes from Italy. The garlic bread is hand-raised, baked fresh each day, and coated with plenty of butter and garlic.
Location
25 North Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
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Brassiere Liberte
For some of the finest French cuisine you will enjoy in America, try the Brassiere Liberte. At this restaurant, you discover how French cooking is supposed to taste. Try the coq au vin or the loup de mir to enjoy the subtleties that only French cuisine can provide.
Location
3251 Prospect Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
How To Get To Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
When a park covers 184.5 miles, there are multiple directions from which to reach it. To explore the park, you must travel from the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, MD, or vice-versa. To get from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, get onto Interstate 270 North (I-270 N) and drive for 30 miles. Take the ramp to the right toward Hagerstown to get onto Interstate 70 West (I-70 W). Drive for 52.8 miles, then take the left ramp to get onto United State Highway 40 (US-40). Go for 36 miles on US-40 to enter Cumberland, MD.
Along the drive between Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, MD, there are several outlets where visitors find campgrounds near the park. Taking any or all these outlets grants easy access to one of the most visited canals constructed in the United States.
Address
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Fee: Entry Fee (Per Person)
There is no entry fee.
Americans visiting Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park enjoy some of the Potomac River's finest views found anywhere along its length. When using an RV, these visitors have the chance to stop along the roadside to enjoy these views. They also can camp in several locations along the road that follows the canal. By visiting RVshare to rent an RV, campers expand their horizons and create a series of memories that will last a lifetime.