National GeographicAug 14, 2026
This National Park Will Let You Spend the Night in a 200-Year-Old Lockhouse
Hugging the Potomac from D.C. to the Appalachian foothills, the C&O Canal is best experienced by bicycle and capped off with a night in a historic lockhouse.
21 things in this story
- C&O CanalTrailWashington, United States184.5-mile towpath trail from D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland
- Potomac RiverSightWashington, United Stateswater-powered commerce channel dreamed of in the 1770s
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkParkWashington, United States150-mile towpath trail from Georgetown to the Ohio River
- Great Allegheny PassageTrailWashington, United Statesbike trail that picks up where the C&O towpath ends
- Wheelzup AdventuresPlaceCumberland, United Statesbike outfitter located along the towpath in Cumberland
- Locals Farm MarketRestaurantPoolesville, United Statesoffers a mouthwatering lunch in Poolesville
- Brunswick Heritage MuseumMuseumBrunswick, United Statesfeatures an impressive model railroad floor
- Railroad View ParkParkBrunswick, United Statestwo-story observation deck where B&O workers once overlooked the train yard
- Beans in the BelfryCaféBrunswick, United Statesoffers live music
- O’Hurley’s General StoreMarketShepherdstown, United States100-year-old store with weekly old-time music circles
- Alma BeaRestaurantShepherdstown, United StatesAppalachian bistro led by a James Beard-nominated chef
- AntietamSightSharpsburg, United Statessite of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles
- Cushwa BasinSightWilliamsport, United Statesspot canal infrastructure like a lockhouse and turning basin
- Paw Paw TunnelSightPaw Paw, United Stateshalf-mile-long, nearly pitch-black tunnel to walk bicycles through
- DelFestFestivalCumberland, United Stateslongstanding bluegrass festival in Cumberland
- The Wills HotelHotelCumberland, United States20-room boutique stay on Baltimore Street
- Canal Quarters ProgramPlaceWashington, United Stateshistoric lockhouses available for overnight stays
- Lockhouse 22HotelWashington, United Statesnicknamed 'Pennyfield', evokes the canal's earliest days
- Swains LockHotelWashington, United StatesLockhouse 21, reflects a modern take on the 1920s
- Lockhouse 6HotelWashington, United Statesaka 'Brookmont', styled like the 1950s
- Lockhouse 49HotelWashington, United Stateshas 'half amenities' like an outdoor water pump