Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Visitor Center · Maryland ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (National Historical Park) · Restricted Access
- 166 ft
- Elevation
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.
39.00028, -77.24814 · 39°0'1.0"N 77°14'53.3"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Can you reserve a site at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?
- No. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion 3.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC) 11.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Great Falls Park Visitor Center 0.4 mi · Facility
- Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite 2.1 mi · Campground
- Ranger Station 4.5 mi · Facility
- Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite 9.4 mi · Campground
- Nature Center 10.9 mi · Facility
- Cold War Museum 10.9 mi · Facility
- Old Stone House 12 mi · Facility
- Georgetown Visitor Center 12.1 mi · Visitor Center
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 12.3 mi · Facility
Contact
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-04.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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