C&O Canal Towpath - Georgetown to Angler's Inn

The Potomac Conservancy's favorite C&O spot, the River Center at Lockhouse 8, plays host to a National Trails Day event. Register here with REI Bailey's Crossroads.

Forget triathlons, how about an adventure quintathlon on the C&O Canal? It's not a stretch - we count no less than five outdoor activities favored by park users: jogging/running, biking, kayaking/canoeing, rock climbing, and fishing (yes, we're counting fishing as a sport). The Georgetown to Anglers Inn Canal corridor is a multi-sport athlete's paradise.

And to think, fifty years ago, our favorite 19th century waterway almost got paved over.

C&O Canal Towpath Georgetown sign

View C&O Canal Towpath - Georgetown to Angler's Inn Images on Flickr

Trail Profile

The C&O Canal Towpath runs 184.5 miles, but for brevity, we'll focus on the Georgetown (mile 0) to Angler's Inn (12.6) section. Continuing west from Anglers Inn, you enter the Great Falls Park area, which features additional natural surface hiking trails (like Billy Goat Section A), and of course, the Falls itself.

This map highlights the Palisades District of the C&O Canal which includes the Georgetown to Angler's Inn section.

Georgetown

If you've set foot in Georgetown within the last 180 years or so you're probably familiar with its unique setting on the Canal. Running parallel to M Street, the Georgetown section of the Canal starts (or ends) at Rock Creek.

Note: Don't plan on racing against the clock through Georgetown. The trail is narrow, heavily used, and crosses several roads.

Highlights: The Georgetown canal boat; Georgetown Visitor Center; views of Key Bridge and Rosslyn 

Fletcher's Boathouse

The crowds can be thick between Georgetown and Fletcher's Boathouse (mile 3.1), a DC landmark and a bustling hub of activity. Many visitors use Fletcher's as the launching point for their hike/bike/paddle/fishing adventure. The Capital Crescent Trail more or less converges with the Towpath near the Boathouse.

Highlights: Kayak/canoe rentals at Fletcher's Boathouse; access to the Capital Crescent Trail

Chain Bridge / Little Falls

Beyond the Capital Crescent Trail trestle (mile 3.6), trail activity quiets down. Wildlife activity, meanwhile, perks up. The Great Blue Heron is a mainstay, but also keep an eye out for box turtles and toads.

Lockhouse 6 (mile 5.4), near the Little Falls Dam, isn't just your everyday run-of-the-mill historic structure. This lockhouse is open for overnight guests thanks to the hard work of the C&O Canal Trust.

Highlights: Chain Bridge bike/ped access; Lockhouse 6 (parking and lodging); Little Falls Dam; Lock 7 (parking); Sycamore Island 

Seven Locks

The Seven Locks section references Locks 8-14, all of which are located within a mile-long stretch of the Canal (mile 8.5-9.5). Engineer-types can spend a day here marveling at the feats of their early 19th century colleagues.

Highlights: Potomac Conservancy River Center at Lock 8; Lock 10 (parking); Lockhouse 11

Carderock

For rock climbers, Carderock (mile 10.4) is your final destination. Some of the best top roping in the DC area is just steps away from the parking lot. Carderock also features large picnic areas and the Billy Goat Trail Section C (not quite as spectacular as Section A but still a hoot).

Highlights: Access to Carderock (parking, restrooms, and water)

Angler's Inn

The Angler's Inn area (mile 12.6) is named for the local cantina / pricey restaurant located directly across MacArthur Boulevard from the main parking lot. This lot is favored by many park users - notably, whitewater kayakers. Our friends at Potomac Paddlesports meet there for lessons 3-4 times a week. Angler's is also a prime base for tackling the Billy Goat Trail Section A. Access to the eastern end of the trail is less than half a mile from the lot.

Highlights: River access / kayak launch; Billy Goat Trail Section A; Old Angler's Inn (restaurant)

C&O Canal Towpath cyclists approaching Chain Bridge

Trail Stewardship

The National Park Service provides numerous opportunities to give back to the park that is loved by millions year after year. The stewardship team at C&O Canal National Historical Park even have their own dedicated website: http://www.chohvip.org/

Two programs, in particular, may catch your eye:

Canal Stewards: This relatively new program offers organizations, businesses, or individuals a chance to "adopt" a section of the park. Your job is then to maintain and enhance that particular area - taking your cue from the Park Service. The North Face, the Potomac Conservancy, and several Brookmont neighbors are already signed up - if you'd like to get involved, contact Rebecca Jameson (Rebecca_Jameson[at]nps.gov).

Bike Patrol: The Bike Patrol is just as it sounds - you cycle along the Towpath providing information for users and first aid when necessary. The Bike Patrol is always looking for new volunteers - Norman Liebow (liebow[at]comcast.net) coordinates the team in the Palisades District of the Canal.

Another good resource for volunteer opportunities is our friends at the C&O Canal Trust. Canal Pride Days (May-June) attracts hundreds of dedicated volunteers each and every year.

Whether you hike, bike, run, climb, kayak, or fish, the C&O Canal Towpath serves as your human-powered highway to local outdoor adventure.

Location / Directions: Georgetown (mile 0)
Trail Distance: 12.6 miles, Georgetown to Angler's Inn
Surface / Difficulty: Hard-packed dirt/gravel; Easy
Trail Map: C&O Canal National Historical Park - Palisades District Map
Administration: National Park Service
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

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