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Welcome to the audio-described version of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park's official print brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos, illustrations, and maps, this version interprets the two-sided color brochure that Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park visitors receive. The brochure explores the history of the park, some of its highlights, and information for planning your visit. This audio version lasts just over 1 hour which we have divided into 29 sections, as a way to improve the listening experience.
Three sections, including this one, provide a general overview of this audio-description experience, an overview of the park, and accessibility information.
Eleven sections, from Overview: Front Side of the Brochure to Map: Roads, cover the front of the brochure. The front of the brochure includes information regarding the park's history, things to do in the park, and visitor centers as well as a detailed map of the section of the park near Washington, DC.
Eighteen sections, from Overview: Back Side of the Brochure to Map: Swains Lock to Georgetown Visitor Center, cover the back of the brochure. The back of the brochure consists of a large wayfinding map detailing the entire 184.5 miles of the park.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (called the C and O Canal) is part of the National Park Service, within the Department of the Interior. Located in Maryland, Washington, DC, and West Virginia along the northeast side of the Potomac River, the 20,000 acre park stretches 184.5 miles from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland. This park, established in 1971, preserves America's early transportation history and protects a historic canal. Built in 1828 to transport coal, lumber, and agricultural products to market, the C and O Canal operated for nearly 100 years providing a lifeline to communities along the Potomac River. Today, visitors enjoy walking or biking the towpath that runs the entire 184.5 mile length of the canal.
To find out more about what resources might be available or to contact the park directly, visit the "Accessibility" and "More Information" sections at the end of this audio-described brochure.
From the brochure: We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check the park website.
The front side of the brochure contains visitor information and a brief history of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It features two historical photos, large sections of text, and a detailed map of the section of the canal near Washington, DC. The text briefly describes the waterway's history, towpath, canal information, and all the park visitor centers. The photos, text, and map descriptions are all presented under different sections.
Describing.
A black bar with white text and a color NPS logo.
Synopsis.
This is a black horizontal bar that runs along the entire top of the brochure. White text inside the black bar names the park and a color National Park Service logo lets you know which agency manages the park.
In-depth description.
This is a black horizontal bar that spans the entire top edge of the C and O Canal brochure. Within the black bar is white text and a color version of the National Park Service (NPS) logo. On the left of the bar is white text that reads "Chesapeake and Ohio Canal." On the right of the black bar are the small white words: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Historical Park, Maryland/ Washington, DC/ West Virginia. On the far right of the black bar is a logo composed of the outline of an arrowhead enclosing an image of a tall conifer on the left side, a bison in the lower center, and a large mountain in the background. The words “National Park Service" sit above the peak of the mountain.
Describing.
A horizontal black and white photo of a historic cargo boat in the canal.
Synopsis.
A historic black and white photo of a long wooden boat sitting in still water beside a large building. The large wooden building behind the boat has six open windows and one open doorway. Nine people stand in the photo: four on the boat, two in the building, and three to the left of the building. In the background to the right of the building are a small house and large tree in front of a blurred hillside.
In-depth description.
The long white cargo boat with dark painted trim stretches almost the entire length of the photo and is slightly reflected in the still canal water below it. The back of the boat is facing the camera. There is a narrow rectangular sign with illegible wording on the back of the boat. The boat has three cabin buildings - one in the back, one in the middle, and one in the front of the boat. The white cabin in the back has four windows and one low doorway. The white cabin the middle is the smallest and is obscured by a man standing in front of it. The white front cabin has only one low doorway. Stacked on top of the back and front cabins are large slightly curved wood sections meant to cover the cargo when the boat is full. A man wearing a hat, jacket, and dark trousers stands at the back of the boat beside the cabin. Another man wearing a hat and work jacket stands in the middle of the empty boat. Behind him two men wearing suspenders and dark colored trousers stand near the front of the boat.
Behind the boat near the edge of the canal is a large wood paneled warehouse building with a single large open doorway in the front. A man stands in this doorway wearing a vest and trousers with his hands behind his back. The building also has six windows along the front, each with one a rectangular wooden shutter. Four of the front windows are open and a long, rectangular grain chute extends from one of the open windows. The partially visible side of the building has two open windows, with another grain chute extending from one window to the ground outside the building. Two people wearing hats sit near the grain chute and a third person stands behind them. A small raised sidewalk runs between the front of the building and the boat. A person wearing work clothing walks along this sidewalk near the right side of the building.
In the background to the right of the warehouse building and behind the back of the boat is a wooden crane with a diagonal arm for loading. Behind the pole is a large pile of debris and a round tree. In the distance to the right of the tree is a blurred hillside. In front of the hillside on the far right of the photo is a small house with two windows and a fence around its small yard.
Caption.
Cargo boat on the canal at Darby Mill in Williamsport, MD, about 1895.
Credit.
NPS.
Related Text.
The Chesapeake and Ohio (C and O) Canal began as a dream of passage to wealth in the West. Operating for nearly 100 years, it was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today the canal endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.
Describing.
A black and white landscape photograph of a leisure boat and mules exiting the downstream portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel on the C and O Canal and towpath.
Synopsis.
A landscape black and white photograph taken between the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds.
A parallel wood planked towpath on the left of the image with a wooden railing runs along the waterline of the narrow canal on the right of the image. The towpath and canal transit routes emerge from a white stone tunnel in the left background of the image, and widen as they reach the foreground. The canal and towpath are located spatially within a steep rocky cliffside with sparse vegetation on the left and right sides of the image.
In the mid-ground by the tunnel is a wooden, double decked, leisure boat in the canal. The leisure boat has a striped awning over the top deck with 7 tourists standing overlooking the canal and 3 crew members sitting below on the deck of the bow of the boat.
On the towpath emerging from the tunnel along the left cliffside are two tan mules.
In-depth description.
A landscape black and white photograph of a double decked leisure boat and two mules exiting the downstream portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel on the C and O Canal and towpath. The photograph was taken between the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds, when the Paw Paw Tunnel was in operation.
The towpath and canal emerge from rocky cliffs through the arched, white stone, Paw Paw tunnel in the left background of the image. The towpath is a light colored wood planked path with a wooden railing and runs parallel to the water line of the narrow section of the C and O Canal on the right of the image. Both transit routes widen as they reach the foreground of the image and are located spatially within a steep rocky cliffside with sparse vegetation on the left and right sides of the image. The canal is narrow with calm, specular reflective water.
On the right in the mid-ground of the image, hugging the towpath railing past the tunnel, is a mid-tone wooden, double decked, leisure boat in the canal. The leisure boat is taller than it is wide, fitting approximately seven people shoulder to shoulder across the width of the boat. The top deck is covered by a vertical striped light and mid-toned squared awning. A wooden horizontal slatted railing surrounds the entire upper deck. Several people are seen from a distance on the boat.
Approximately seven, light-skinned tourists stand and sit along the front top railing overlooking the canal. The tourists, women and a child, are dressed in formal day wear, dresses and outer coats. The women have their hair pinned up in buns and three wear loose brimmed white hats. The male child is wearing a matching mid-toned coat and pants with a front brimmed hat.
Three male light-skinned crew members sit below on wooden platform boxes on the deck of the bow of the boat. From left to right, one crew member sits on the left facing forward with his knees spread and hands clasped between his legs. He is wearing a very dark colored turtleneck, pants, leather boots, and a light colored wide front brimmed captains hat. The next crew member to the right is casually seated, with his legs crossed and facing towards the left. His upper body is open towards the camera and he is leaning back on his left hand. He is more formally dressed in a dark suit uniform, with a matching jacket, vest, and pants, and dark front brimmed captain's hat with an emblem on the front. The third crew member is standing casually on the far right of the deck leaning with his right elbow against the wooden platform box and facing towards the left with his upper body open towards the camera. He is wearing a very dark turtleneck, dark pants, and a very dark beret sailor’s hat.
On the towpath road emerging from the tunnel along the left cliffside are two tan mules looking towards the camera. The mules are lean and strong with long pointed faces and big almond shaped ears pointing up and out. The mules are outfitted in dark leather harnesses. The harness is wide around their necks and then attaches around their torso behind the front legs and in front of the back legs. The harnesses are connected to tow lines that follow behind them into the Paw Paw Tunnel.
Related Text.
Describing.
Several paragraphs of text under a tan rectangle containing the white lettered words "Historic Waterway to the West".
Text.
The goal was ambitious: to improve on nature with a navigable waterway from tidewater at Georgetown in Washington, DC, to the Ohio River. In 1828, amid Fourth of July fanfare and canal fever across the nation, ground was broken for the C and O Canal. While in operation, the C and O Canal witnessed a race west by transportation giants, the growth and decline of communities and businesses along the banks of the Potomac River, fierce battles between a divided nation, and technological improvements that eventually made business on the canal obsolete.
In the span of a lifetime, canals faded from beacons of a dawning age to quaint reminders of a bygone era. From 1828 to 1850 thousands of immigrants found work—and hope for a new life— building the canal. Families worked and lived on the long, narrow boats, and children often tended the mules.
The C and O Canal closed in 1924. It sat mostly unused for 30 years, its physical features surviving, until it became a national historical park in 1971. Eventually the canal took on a new role, serving as a window to the past and witness to the resilience of nature.
Today the nearly level towpath runs 184.5 miles along the Potomac River and serves as the spine of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Hikers, campers, bikers, and others can experience the history, wildlife, and geology of the Potomac valley. In sections with water, the canal accommodates paddlers, boaters, and anglers. Explore canal history on ranger- and volunteer-led programs.
Describing.
Several paragraphs of text under a tan rectangle containing the white lettered words "Enjoy the Towpath and Canal".
Text.
The C and O Canal runs along the Potomac River from the mouth of Rock Creek at Georgetown in Washington, DC, to Cumberland, MD. Its 74 lift locks raised canal boats from near sea level to 605 feet of elevation at Cumberland. The towpath, built 12 feet wide as a mule path, is now a nearly level byway where hikers and bikers can enjoy the canal’s quiet beauty.
Hiking and Biking Brown mileposts mark every mile along the towpath. Bikers must observe these regulations: Do not exceed 15 mph. Sound your bell or horn approaching others. Ride single-file. Stay to the right. Yield to pedestrians, horses, and mules. Wear a helmet, as required by law. Walk bikes across aqueducts.
Ranger-Led Programs The park offers talks, walks, and other programs in multiple locations. For information and schedules check the park website or the official NPS App.
Camping Camp only in designated sites. Reservations are required for sites reachable by car and for group campsites; reserve at www.recreation.gov. Hiker-biker tent sites along the towpath every 5- 7 miles are free; first-come, first-served; and limited to one night. Pack out all trash. For more information check the park website. To stay overnight in a historic lockhouse, visit www.canaltrust.org/quarters.
On the Canal Paddling and non-motorized boating are possible in sections of the canal with water from Georgetown to Milepost 22 and for short stretches above that. You must carry watercraft around each lock. Motorized craft are generally prohibited. Swimming and wading in the canal are prohibited. Follow state or Washington, DC, fishing regulations.
The Potomac River is always extremely dangerous. Currents are very strong, deceptive, and unpredictable. Do not swim in the river.
Describing.
Several paragraphs of text under a tan rectangle containing the white lettered words "Visitor Centers".
Text.
Canal information and history are available at visitor centers and seasonal contact stations (maps at right and on other side). Hours and days vary by season; for schedules check the park website or call 301-739-4200.
Georgetown Visitor Center 1057 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington, DC. Located in an urban canal setting. Exhibits on canal history.
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD. Originally a lockkeeper’s house and later expanded. Exhibits on canal and area history.
Brunswick Visitor Center 40 W. Potomac St., Brunswick, MD. Exhibits highlight the town’s transportation history from early ferry service to the canal and the railroad.
Williamsport Visitor Center 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD. Explore this canal town’s history at the Cushwa warehouse and basin. Exhibits on canal and area history.
Cumberland Visitor Center Western Maryland Railway Station, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD. Exhibits on the canal and its western terminus.
Other Facilities Park staff and partners open historic buildings to the public on occasion. Contact the park for a seasonal schedule.
Regulations Federal laws protect all natural and cultural features in the park. Hunting, trapping, metal detectors, and relic hunting are prohibited. Check the park website for firearms, drones, and other regulations.
This is a trash-free park. Take your trash with you when you leave.
Text.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
National Historical Park
142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD 21795.
301-739-4200
www.nps.gov/choh
Follow us on social media. Use the official NPS App to guide your visit; select ”save this park” to use offline. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is one of over 425 parks in the National Park System. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
National Park Foundation
Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org
IGPO:2024—427-086/84067 Last updated 2024
Describing.
A vertical color map titled "Georgetown to Swains Lock" of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal).
Synopsis.
This wayfinding map is a larger scale version of the fifth section of the map on the back side of this brochure. The map highlights landmarks and key amenities along this crowded section of the map. The route loosely resembles the letter S, curvier at the top bend and tapering almost straight at the bottom. The map also includes some natural history features. The canal map is oriented northwest, with Swains Lock, in Maryland, at the top and Georgetown, in Washington, DC, at the bottom. The entire length of the canal boarders the Potomac River. Maryland boarders the northwest of the C and O Canal and Potomac River, Washington, DC boarders the northeast, and Virginia boarders the south.
In-depth description.
The C and O Canal shoulders the Potomac River from the top on the map and flows southeast down from Maryland to Washington, DC. The Potomac River contains two falls: Great Falls near the top half of the map and Little Falls sitting close to the bottom half. Note: there are many rapids and hazardous areas in this section of the Potomac River.
There are two visitor centers: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and Georgetown Visitor Center. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center includes an accessible area, restroom, snack bar, picnic area, and parking. Georgetown Visitor Center does not list any amenities.
Various trails connect to the canal and towpath, including Gold Mine Trail, Billy Goat Trail A, B and C, and the Capital Crescent Trail.
Other points of interest include a hiker-biker campsite at Swains Lock and a fee campground at Marsden Tract. Note that Marsden Tract campgrounds require group reservations. Bikes, canoes, and boats are available to rent at Fletchers Cove. Near the C and O National Historical Park, you will also find Clara Barton Parkway, Clara Barton National Historic Site, Glen Echo Park, and Rock Creek Park.
Describing.
The scale and legend connected to the large scale Georgetown to Swains Lock portion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Scale:
The legend and scale are under the map along the bottom of the brochure.
The map is oriented northeast, with a scale showing 1, 5, and 10 kilometers and miles based in centimeters and inches.
Legend:
There are twelve icons. Four wayfinding icons depicted by colored or dashed lines and eight amenities icons that are silhouetted white or black images on contrasted backgrounds in small square boxes with rounded corners.
They are as follows:
The page ends with a black border.
Roads.
Several major routes are depicted on this map, as well as smaller streets to assist with traveling within the area.
Amenities.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of the map.
This section of the canal has two visitor centers, three wheelchair accessible areas, four picnic areas, one fee campground, one hiker-biker campsite, and three Canal Quarters. There are also 21 locks, 4 trails, and three dams.
All sites are along the towpath unless otherwise indicated. Stops and visitor services from Georgetown to Swains Lock are:
Between the top of the map and Mile marker 15 there is:
Between Mile marker 15 and Mile marker 10 there is:
Between Mile marker 10 and Mile marker 5 there is:
Between Mile marker 5 and Milepost 0 there is:
Below Milepost 0 there is:
Describing.
A large color wayfinding map, that covers the entire back of the brochure for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (called the C and O Canal).
Synopsis.
National Park Service Park Wayfinding Map of the C and O Canal National Historical Park. The map extends from Canal Mile marker 184.5 in Cumberland, Maryland to Mile marker 0 in Georgetown, Washington, DC. The Map is oriented northeast, with north facing the upper right side of the map. The map is described from the top down and is broken up into six sections.
The thick green line marks the park's towpath and follows the bends of the light blue Potomac River down the center of the vertical page. The towpath is to the right of the Potomac River. Red lines mark the multiple roads on the map that crisscross this area occasionally crossing the river and towpath. City boundaries are marked in yellow splotches to the right and left of the river and towpath and directly over them in the Washington, DC area.
The entire C and O Canal towpath is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
The map includes National Park Service Visitor Centers:
In Depth Map and Legend Description.
A detailed, soft colored wayfinding National Park Service Map of the C and O Canal National Historical Park, from mile marker 184.5 in Cumberland, Maryland at the top of the map to mile marker 0 in Georgetown, Washington, DC at the bottom of the map.
The map is oriented north east, with a scale showing kilometers and miles in centimeters and inches. As the map is not oriented North-South, descriptions will be made based on where they are in the map from the top-down. This park is long and narrow, and the map spans the entire back of the park brochure.
The C and O Canal towpath is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail that spans several states: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
The map is softly colored by state showing Maryland in a light orange, Pennsylvania in a light tan color, West Virginia in light green, Virginia in a light cream color, and the Washington DC in a light yellow color. Other metropolitan areas are also highlighted in overlaying yellow. State lines are marked with thick white lines labeled with the states on either side of the line. Thick red lines indicating roads and highways intersecting and running parallel to the path can be seen branching out. The map contains no labeled topographic information, but underlays minor textures to suggest some topographic features.
The highlight of this map is the C and O Canal and towpath, marked in a thick teal-green line. C and O Canal towpath, starts at the North Branch Potomac River on the north west (top right) corner of the map. Distance is marked every 5 miles on the towpath with a thin fuchsia-pink line, and every 10 miles labeled with a fuchsia-pink bold number from zero to one-hundred and eighty. Along the canal, there are 74 locks and 11 historic aqueducts with varied spacing and labeled in a small black text.
The Potomac River flows down the map parallel to the C and O Canal and Towpath ending at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers in Washington, DC. Many tributaries of the Potomac River are marked along this map with thin aquamarine blue lines.
In addition to C and O Canal National Historical Park, the map includes other National Park Service sites and other public lands in a pea-green. Highlighted sites from top to bottom on this map are:
C and O Canal visitor centers, marked prominently in green boxes with white bold text (from top to bottom) include:
There are five Fee Campgrounds along the C and O Canal from top to bottom:
Additionally, there is a hiker-biker campsite approximately every 6 to 8 miles, 31 in total.
Describing.
The scale and legend connected to the National Park Service Map of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Scale.
The legend and scale are in the top right of the map.
The map is oriented northeast, with a scale showing 1, 5, and 10 kilometers and miles based in centimeters and inches.
Legend.
The legend shows symbols for amenities, wayfinding, historical, and ecological information. There are twelve icons. Five wayfinding icons depicted by a colored or dashed lines and seven amenities icons that are silhouetted white or black images on contrast backgrounds in small square boxes with small rounded corners.
Highlighted amenities, and wayfinding symbols on the map legend are:
Listed below the legend, green bold text states that: "The entire C and O Canal towpath is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail."
Describing.
Top section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal) between the Cumberland Visitor Center and canal Mile marker 140.
Synopsis.
The 45 mile portion of this wayfinding map starts above the Cumberland Visitor Center at the top, and ends at mile marker 140. The North Branch of the Potomac River flows in from the left, paralleling the canal near the Visitor Center. The canal towpath then parallels the course of the river on the right. Interstate 68 provides access to the Visitor Center at exit 43C, then continues down to parallel the canal on the right. Approximately halfway through this section the South Branch of the Potomac River flows in from the left to join the North Branch and forms the Potomac River.
In-Depth Description.
This portion of the map is colored by state showing West Virginia in light green on the left, Maryland in a light orange in the center, and Pennsylvania in gray on the right. The Potomac River is marked in blue and is the border between West Virginia and Maryland. It has several deep bends in this section of the map. The C and O Canal is marked in a thick teal-green line. Distance is marked every 5 miles on the towpath with a thin fuchsia-pink line, and every 10 miles labeled with a fuchsia-pink bold number from 100 to 60.
This detailed informational map, designed primarily for orientation, highlights key amenities & landmarks along the C and O Canal. It covers the section from Cumberland to mile marker 140. The map is oriented northeast and since the map is not oriented North-South, descriptions will be made based on where they are positioned in the map when viewing. To provide broader regional context, this multi-color map also depicts local urban areas, different state jurisdictions, and natural terrain features.
The city of Cumberland is marked with a yellow splotch surrounding the terminus of the canal at the top of the map. Smaller communities are marked with yellow dots.
Near the Cumberland Visitor Center, the North Branch of the Potomac River is joined in Cumberland by Wills Creek and Evitts Creek flowing from Pennsylvania through Maryland on the right. Patterson Creek flows into the North Branch from Virginia on the left.
Flowing from the Visitor Center, the river makes two sharp leftward curves, then continues down in a slight leftward curve. The South Branch of the Potomac flows from West Virginia to join the North Branch near mile marker 165. The river continues to flow down until just after mile 160 the river when it curves gently to the right, paralleling the bottom of the page. Just past mile marker 155 are two upward curves with a sharp downward curve between them that looks like the letter “M”. Town Creek and Fifteenmile Creek flow into the Potomac River from Pennsylvania through Maryland on either side of the "M".
Rocky Gap State Park covers the area in Maryland between I-68 the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. Green Ridge State Forest covers most of the lower third of this section of the canal, bounded by the towpath on the left, and I-68 on the right.
Between Cumberland and Mile marker 140, there is a complex network of roads along the C and O Canal that support its use and access including, from top to bottom:
Amenities.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of the map.
This section of the canal has one visitor center, two wheelchair accessible areas, four picnic areas, three fee campgrounds, six hiker-biker campsites, and two boat ramps. There are also 11 locks, one lockhouse, one tunnel, one feeder dam, and one guard lock.
All sites are along the towpath unless otherwise indicated. Stops and visitor services from the Cumberland Visitor Center at the top of the map to Mile Marker 140 at the bottom include:
Above Mile marker 180 (All are accessed from Interstate 68 at exit 43C):
Below the Visitor Center and Before Mile marker 180:
Between Mile marker 180 to 170:
Between Mile Marker 170 and 160:
Between Mile Marker 160 and 150:
Between Mile Marker 150 and 140:
Describing.
Second section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal) between canal Mile marker 140 to the Williamsport Visitor Center.
Synopsis.
This section of the wayfinding map covers an area from canal Mile marker 140 at the top of this section to the Williamsport Visitor Center near canal mile marker 100 at the bottom of the section. There are numerous landmarks and C and O canal visitor amenities on the map which include a fee campground, eight hiker biker campsites, thirteen locks, four aqueducts, three boat launch sites, three picnic areas, two wheelchair accessible locations, two dams, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, and a Visitor Center. The map includes nearby natural terrain features such as mountains, hills, rivers, and creeks. The map also provides detailed road network information, including interstate highways, state roads, and state highways along the canal and towpath at various locations.
In-Depth Description.
Portions of three nearby states are included on this section of the map including Virginia to the left, Maryland on C and O Canal's right, and Pennsylvania located to the far right of the map.
There are four primary waterways in addition to the Potomac River. At the top of this section, coming from the right, Sideling Hill Creek joins the Potomac River between canal mile markers 140 and 130 just above the Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct. Below Sideling Hill Creek, the Cacapon River also meets the Potomac River between mile markers 140 and 130 connecting just below Dam 6. In the bottom portion of the map, Back Creek connects to the Potomac River from the left between canal mile markers 120 and 110. At the very bottom, Conococheague Creek flows into the Potomac River from the Pennsylvania on the far right near the Williamsport Visitor Center just below canal mile marker 100.
There are four substantial urban areas within this segment of the map.
There are two additional landmarks within this map section.
Roads.
Between canal mile marker 140 and the Williamsport Visitor Center, there is a complex network of roads along the C and O Canal that support its use and access including, from top to bottom:
1. Interstate 70 travels from the right in Pennsylvania, travels through Hancock, Maryland towards the bottom of the map. It parallels the Potomac River and the C and O canal from approximately canal mile marker 123 to 113, then veers right slightly away from the river, following the general direction of the Potomac River on its way towards Williamsport, Maryland and off the bottom of the map.
2. Pennsylvania State Route 522 is co-located with Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania.
3. Interstate 68 connects to Interstate 70 just above Hancock, Maryland. It travels up and off the map.
4. Interstate 81 travels left to right along the bottom portion of the map from Virginia, into West Virginia. It crosses the Potomac River and the C and O canal just below canal mile marker 100, then moves downward off the map at Williamsport, Maryland.
5. State Route 11 parallels Interstate 81 from left to right along the bottom portion of the Map from far Virginia into West Virginia. It crosses the Potomac River and the C and O canal just below canal mile marker 100, then moves downward off the map at Williamsport, Maryland.
6. Maryland State Route 40 connects with Interstate 70 at exit 9 near Licking Creek hiker biker campsite. It travels down through Clear Spring, Maryland paralleling Interstate 70 then off the map to the right of Williamsport, Maryland.
7. State Road 56 connects with Interstate 70 below Exit 9. It runs down to Fort Frederick State Park, generally following the Potomac River and parallel to Interstate 70 providing access to additional landmarks and amenities along the C and O canal including Four Locks and Dam 5. It connects with State Road 68 below Dam 5.
8. State Road 68 connects to State Route 40 in the town of Clear Spring. It provides access to State Route 56 as it runs down through Williamsport, Maryland and the off the bottom of the map.
Amenities.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of this section of the map.
This section of the canal has one visitor center, two wheelchair accessible areas, four picnic areas, three fee campgrounds, six hiker-biker campsites, and two boat ramps. There are also thirteen locks, four aqueducts, and one dam.
All sites are along the towpath unless otherwise indicated. Stops and visitor services from Mile marker 140 at the top of this section to the Williamsport Visitor Center at the bottom of this section include:
Between Mile marker 140 and Mile marker 130:
Between Mile marker 130 and Mile marker 120:
Describing.
Third section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal) between canal Mile marker 100 to Mile marker 60.
Synopsis.
The canal and towpath closely follow the Maryland bank on the right side of the Potomac River, which has several deep bends in this section. The left side of the Potomac River in this section is West Virginia. This section of the canal has one visitor center, three wheelchair-accessible areas, three picnic areas, one fee campground, six hiker-biker campsites, and four boat ramps. There are also twenty three locks, three dams, and one guard lock. It also provides detailed road network information, including interstate highways, state roads, and state highways intersecting the canal and towpath at various locations along with various amenities.
This section of the map also shows Antietam National Battlefield, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
In Depth Description.
Portions of three states are included on this section of the map including a small part of Virginia to the far left, West Virginia to the left of the Potomac River and most of this section, and Maryland on the right side of the Potomac River and towpath.
Cities are marked by yellow splotches on both sides of the river. On the left side of the river, in Virginia, is Berryville. It is at the intersections of horizontal US route 340 and vertical State route 7. Also, on the left side of the river, in West Virginia, is Charles Town. It is at the intersections of horizontal US route 340 and vertical State route 9. The cities of Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry are near the towpath at Locks 32 and 38 respectively. On the right side of the river, in Maryland, is Hagerstown between Interstate 81 and 70. Boonsboro, in Maryland, is along alternate US route 40 between State routes 34 and 67. Sharpsburg, in Maryland, is along State route 65 near the towpath at Lock 39.
At Harpers Ferry, the towpath intersects with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Shenandoah River flows into the Potomac River.
There are two areas of the Potomac River colored purple on the map, indicating rapids and hazardous river conditions. These areas are:
There are many unlabeled roads shown on this section of the map to assist with accessing different areas of the C and O Canal. Along with these, between canal Mile marker 100 and Mile Marker 60, there is a complex network of roads along the C and O Canal that support its use and access including, from top to bottom:
1. Interstate 81 and US 11 cross through the park near the Williamsport Visitor Center area, travelling north and south.
2. Interstate 81 and Interstate 70 meet nearby in Hagerstown, Maryland.
3. Maryland Route 65 approaches the park from the upper right, starting in Hagerstown, Maryland and intersecting with Interstate 70. It nears the park near the Horseshoe Bend hiker biker campsite at canal mile marker 80, continues down through Antietam National Battlefield at Sharpsburg, Maryland, and dead ends into Maryland Route 34.
4. Maryland Route 34 approaches the park from the lower right. It begins at Alternate Highway 40 in Boonsboro, Maryland, up past the spot where Maryland Route 65 ends, and Harpers Ferry Road begins, then crosses the river at Ferry Hill at Lock 38. On the left side of the river it ends at West Virginia Route 45 in the town of Shepherdstown. In Shepherdstown, Route 45 can be taken down to the Pack Horse Ford historical marker at Lock 38, or up to eventually meet Highway 11. Highway 11 can be taken right to the Williamsport Visitor Center at Cushwa Basin, or left towards Martinsburg, West Virginia.
5. Harpers Ferry Road. This small road begins near where Maryland Route 65 ends at Route 34 and continues down to the town of Antietam. At this point the road provides access to Antietam Creek Aqueduct and Antietam Creek wheelchair accessible campground. From Antietam, Harpers Ferry Road continues down, roughly parallel to the river, until it approaches the Harpers Ferry area on the Maryland side (right) of the river.
6. A High Water Detour is marked in light blue on the map in this area and directs viewers to take non-park roads - Avis Mill Road and Dellinger Road - away from the Canal/River and then follow Dam #4 Road roughly parallel to the C and O Canal and Potomac River until it reconnects with the towpath at Dam 4.
Amenities.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of the map.
This section of the canal has one visitor center, three wheelchair-accessible areas, three picnic areas, one fee campground, six hiker-biker campsites, and four boat ramps. There are also twenty three locks, three dams, and one guard lock.
All sites are along the towpath unless otherwise indicated. Stops and visitor services from Mile marker 100 at the top of this section to Mile marker 60 at the bottom of this section include:
Between the Williamsport Visitor Center and Mile marker 90 there is:
Between Mile marker 90 and Mile marker 80 there is:
Between Mile marker 80 and Mile marker 70 there is:
Between Mile marker 70 and Mile marker 60 there is:
Describing.
Fourth (and second to bottom) section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal) between canal Mile marker 60 to Swains Lock.
Synopsis.
This section of the wayfinding map covers an area from canal Mile marker 60, just below Harpers Ferry at the top of this section, to Swains Lock, just below Mile marker 20 at the bottom of this section. The Potomac River and towpath in this section is slightly curved to the right of the map until Monocacy Aqueduct where there is a sharp bend to the left. After there is a gentler bend continuing towards the left until about Edwards Ferry where the path starts to bend to the right of the map again. There are hazardous river conditions along the Potomac River, noted by a purple color of riverway, then again from below Dam 2 to approximately canal mile marker 21.
In-depth Description.
Portions of two states are included on this section of the map including Virginia to the left of the Potomac River and Maryland, which is most of this section, on the right side of the Potomac River and towpath. The West Virginia border ended at Harpers Ferry in the previous map section.
This map is colored by state showing Maryland in a light orange on the right and West Virginia in light green on the left. It contains no labeled topographic information, but underlays minor color variations to suggest some topographic features. The Potomac River is marked in blue and is the border between West Virginia and Maryland. It has several very deep bends at the beginning of this section. The Potomac River is colored light blue, and the C and O canal and towpath is marked in a thick teal-green line that closely follows the river in this section. Distance is marked every 5 miles on the towpath with a thin fuchsia-pink line, and every 10 miles with a fuchsia-pink bold number from 60 to 20.
This detailed informational map, designed primarily for orientation, highlights key amenities & landmarks along the C and O Canal. It covers the section from mile marker 60 to Swains Lock. The map is oriented northeast and since the map is not oriented North-South, descriptions are made based on where they are positioned in the map when viewing. To provide broader regional context, this map also depicts small towns and larger urban areas, roads and highways, and creeks and rivers that empty into the larger Potomac River.
Cities are marked by yellow splotches on both sides of the river. On the left side of the river, in Virginia, is Purcellville and Hamilton located left of the vertical State route 7. Leesburg, in Virginia, is located at the intersections of State routes 15 and 7. Sterling Park, Herndon, and Reston, in Virginia, are located near the Washington Dulles International Airport at the intersections of State routes 28 and 287 and left of State route 7. On the right side of the river, in Maryland, are Brunswick located near Lock 30 on the towpath. Middletown, in Maryland, is located along vertical alternate US route 40 and horizontal State route 17, Frederick is a large yellow splotch in Maryland surrounding I 70, US route 340, and I 270. Poolesville is located between State route 109 and 107. Gaithersburg is located along I 270 and Mount Airy is located along 1 70, furthest from the towpath.
Nearby points of interest are Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Mckee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area.
The Potomac River is joined in this section by the Monocacy River flowing in from Maryland, Goose Creek flowing in from Virginia, and Seneca Creek also flowing in from Maryland.
There are two areas of the Potomac River colored purple on the map, indicating rapids and hazardous river conditions. These areas are:
Roads.
Between Harpers Ferry and Swains Lock, there is a complex network of roads along the C and O Canal that support its use and access including, from top to bottom:
1. Virginia State Route 287 comes from the left and intersects the C and O Canal at Lock 30 and turns into Maryland State Route 17 heading toward the right of the map.
2.Lander Road provides access at canal mile marker 50 from the right of the map.
3. U.S. Route 15/ Highway 340 intersects the canal at Point of Rocks, Maryland running from the left of the map from Leesburg, Virginia to the right of the map at Frederick, Maryland.
4. At Point of Rocks Maryland State oute 28 provides access to the canal.
5. New Design Road provides access to the C & O canal at Noland’s Ferry.
6. At Monocacy Aqueduct there is a road providing access to the canal off of State route 28 and from Dickerson, Maryland.
7. At Whites Ferry, Maryland State route 107 interests the canal.
8. At Edwards Ferry there is a road providing access to the canal off of West Williard Road.
9. At McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area West Willard Road intersects with River Road and provides access to the canal.
10. At Rielys Lock Maryland State route 112 provides access to the canal.
Amenities.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of the map.
This section of the canal has one visitor center, one wheelchair accessible area, three canal quarters, seven boat ramps, six hiker-biker camp sites, two picnic areas, and three restrooms.
All sites are along the towpath unless otherwise indicated. Stops and visitor services from Mile marker 60 at the top of the map to Swains Lock at the bottom include:
Between Mile marker 60 and Mile marker 50 there is:
Between Mile marker 50 and Mile marker 40 there is:
Between Mile marker 40 and Mile marker 30 there is:
Between Mile marker 30 and Mile marker 20 there is:
Between Mile marker 20 and Swains Lock there is:
Describing.
Fifth and bottom section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park brochure map (called the C and O Canal). This area starts with a red box with white letters saying "Georgetown to Swains Lock. See detailed map on other side." Then, proceeds down to Georgetown Visitor Center at Milepost 0.
Synopsis.
This section of the wayfinding map follows the bends of the Potomac River from Swains Lock between canal Mile marker 20 and 10 to the Georgetown Visitor Center at canal Mile marker 0. This section of the map contains multiple recreation areas and is described in detail on the front of the brochure. This section of the park borders the states of Virginia and Maryland, as well as Washington, DC. Multiple cities border this section of the park, and multiple roads cross this section of the map including Interstates 66, 95, 270, 395, and 495.
In-depth description.
The thick blue line of the Potomac River widens as it travels downstream toward the bottom of the map. It is surrounded by many cities marked by yellow splotches on both sides of the river, which literally looks like one giant yellow area on both sides of the towpath. On the left side of the river, in Virginia, are multiple cities. From top to bottom they are Vienna, Fairfax, McLean, Falls Church, Arlington, Annandale, and Alexandria.
On the right side of the river, in Maryland, are also multiple cities. From top to bottom they are Potomac, Rockville, Wheaton, Silver Spring, and College Park. Washington DC is also located on the left side of the river near the bottom of the map below Milepost 0, equidistant to Alexandria on the Virginia side.
Green spaces mark parks on the map. Winding along the right side of the river in Washington, DC and Maryland is a thick green line marking the C and O Canal. In Washington, DC on the right of the river is Rock Creek Park. To the left of the river in Virginia are Great Falls Park and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
Between Swains Lock and Georgetown Visitor Center, there is a complex network of roads along the C and O Canal that support its use and access including, from top to bottom:
1. Interstate 495 crosses the Potomac River just below Mile marker 10 with exits 41, 40, and 39 providing access to roads that lead to the C and O Canal in Maryland.
2.State road 267 intersects with I 495 between exits 45 and 46 in Virginia. State road 267 is the Dulles Airport Access Road and Toll Road that leads to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and Washington Dulles International Airport.
3. Interstate 270 intersects with I 495 between exits 35 and 38 in Maryland. I 270 becomes I 70 and travels the vertical length of the C and O Canal.
Amenities are listed by location. Amenities will be listed from the top to the bottom of this section of the map.
Between Swains Lock and Mile marker 10 there is:
Between Mile marker 10 and Georgetown Visitor Center there is: