Skip to main content

Protecting the Canal since 1954

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association is an independent, all-volunteer citizens organization established in 1954 to help conserve the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The association works with the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve and promote the 184-mile towpath.
Learn More
Join us

Upcoming Events (see full calendar)

News

Bench installers

Volunteering to help the park: A work crew installs a bench near Great Falls in 2016.

Catoctin Aqueduct after collapse

Supporting park projects: Catoctin Aqueduct after collapse in 1973

Catoctin Aqueduct restored

Supporting park projects: Catoctin Aqueduct after restoration effort in 2011

Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct

Exploring history and nature: Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct as viewed from the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Picketing on towpath

Protecting the canal since 1954: The association opposes Georgetown University’s plan to build a large boathouse in the park

Bicyclist examines banner

Protecting the canal since 1954: The association opposes Georgetown University’s plan to build a large boathouse in the park

Group ready to hike

Exploring history and nature: Hikers gather at Fifteen Mile Creek Aqueduct in 2018.

Hikers sitting on lock gate

Protecting the canal since 1954: Justice Douglas and eight others pause during their famous hike, which publicized the canal in 1954

Stone Cutting Mill Interpretation

Exploring history and nature: Ranger provides interpretation for hikers at Seneca Stone Cutting Mill in 2020.

Hikers embrace a tree

Exploring history and nature: Hikers marvel at a large specimen during a tree identification walk in 2012

Volunteer attaches plaque to bench

Volunteering to help the park: Association volunteer attaches plaque to newly installed bench in 2018.

Hikers near Great Falls Tavern

Exploring history and nature: Association members participate in the last day of the 2009 Thru Hike at Great Falls

Installing a sign

Volunteering to help the park: Association member helps install an identification sign at Landers in 2011

Hikers at Dam 5

Exploring history and nature: Hikers gather at Dam 5 in 2019.

Protesting along the canal

Protecting the canal since 1954: Justice Douglas and others rally against replacing the canal with a highway.

Painting a table

Volunteering to help the park: Association members repaint picnic tables at Swains Lock

Volunteers assemble picnic table

Volunteering to help the park: Association volunteers assemble picnic table in 2018.