C&O Canal: short towpath return from Great Falls Tavern
Maryland · Greenway
Walk through the busy tavern area to the canal towpath. Ride upstream up to one mile and retrace, staying beside the canal. Do not ride the Olmsted Island overlook boardwalk or Billy Goat hiking trails.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Potomac · Maryland
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Improved gravel canal towpath; local surface varies
- Road crossings
- Walk through the busy tavern area to the canal towpath. Ride upstream up to one mile and retrace, staying beside the canal. Do not ride the Olmsted Island overlook boardwalk or Billy Goat hiking trails.
- Elevation
- Canal-grade outing with lock-area transitions; expect bumps, roots and puddles rather than a smooth asphalt ride.
- Starting location
- Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; turn earlier at barriers, crossings or unsuitable tread. The parking/access walk is additional and unmeasured.
Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center facility reference; approximate planning point, not a surveyed entrance or parking stall.
C&O Canal: short towpath return from Great Falls Tavern — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Walk through the busy tavern area to the canal towpath. Ride upstream up to one mile and retrace, staying beside the canal. Do not ride the Olmsted Island overlook boardwalk or Billy Goat hiking trails.
Start and parking approach
Start: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD
Use only open designated public visitor parking. Walk through parking aisles and the final access connection; never use private lots without permission. If no lawful open arrival is available, postpone or arrive by transit/foot.
Distance and route
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Chosen cap of 1 mile(s) outward and the same distance back; turn earlier at barriers, crossings or unsuitable tread. The parking/access walk is additional and unmeasured.
Walk through the busy tavern area to the canal towpath. Ride upstream up to one mile and retrace, staying beside the canal. Do not ride the Olmsted Island overlook boardwalk or Billy Goat hiking trails.
Surface and effort
Surface: Improved gravel canal towpath; local surface varies. Canal-grade outing with lock-area transitions; expect bumps, roots and puddles rather than a smooth asphalt ride. No surveyed maximum slope or accessibility certification is supplied.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to pedestrians, use the signed bicycle/shared-use route, slow at crossings and blind bends, and walk uncomfortable ramps. Authorized maintenance or emergency vehicles may appear. The written route defines the separated portion; nearby roads and unmarked walking or technical trails are excluded. Check current device rules before bringing an e-bike.
Hours, costs and access
Choose daylight and follow current posted park, trail and parking hours. Seasonal facilities and temporary closures can differ. Entrance fees are collected at the Great Falls Tavern area; confirm current park/pass terms.
Reviewed October 21, 2026. Great Falls entrance fees apply. Check NPS towpath conditions for flood damage or work. Dismount in signed pedestrian areas; this is Maryland's canal side, not Virginia's Great Falls Park. This is source-based planning, not a field inspection or a guarantee of present-day conditions. Stop at closures; do not improvise a traffic-road bypass.
Map location
The marker is a labeled planning reference, not a surveyed parking space, bicycle entrance or navigable route line. Use the written start and current on-site signs for the final approach.