Visitor Center

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail · Potomac · Maryland — managed by National Park Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

The Great Falls Tavern originally functioned as one of the many lockhouses along the canal and serviced thousands of boats that passed through Lock 20 on the way to and from Cumberland, MD and Georgetown in Washington, DC. Today the Great Falls Tavern remains a hub of activity as it acts as one of C&O Canal National Historical Park's visitor centers. Here, visitors can get information about the park's programs, hiking trails, and history. Please check with the park directly for hours and other information.

Getting there

From Washington DC: Take M Street to fork. Follow either MacArthur Blvd, the right fork or take Canal Road, the fork to the left. MacArthur Blvd.: Follow MacArthur until the entrance to the Great Falls section of the park, approximately 8 miles. Canal Road: Follow to Chain Bridge. At stop light continue straight. Canal Road changes into Clara Barton Parkway. Follow Clara Barton Parkway to the end. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Blvd., and follow it for 3.5 miles until it ends at the park.

Directions
Open in Google Maps →

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Maryland camping

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Maryland campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

Browse Maryland camping →

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.