Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is a popular destination for outdoor recreation averaging approximately 4 million visits each year.

• A total of 4,421,276 people visited the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP 2024, indicating a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.
• In 2023, the park recorded 4,470,592 visitors, a 4.3% increase compared to 2022.
• 4,286,185 visited the park in 2022, marking a 27% increase from the pandemic-influenced numbers of 2019.
• In 2019, 3,374,865 visitors were recorded.

How much do visitors spend on Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park each year?

Tourism revenue at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP averaged $95 million each year.

• In 2023, visitor spending generated $96.01 million in direct revenue. Tourist spending in 2022 was $90.74 million, a 6% increase in 2023.
• Pre-pandemic revenue recorded in 2019 totalled $98.44 million.
• Revenue peaked in 2021 at $104.46 million, aligning with increased outdoor activity post-pandemic.

In 2024, 4,421,276 people visited the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park representing a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.

The peak season at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP aligns with the warmer months, from spring through summer.

• April to August sees consistently strong visitor numbers (above 400k monthly in recent years)
• The absolute peak is around September/October

• The C&O Canal NHP is among the most visited national historical parks in the U.S. and consistently ranking in the top 20 most visited national historical parks annually.

• The park spans 184.5 miles from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland.
• It was established in 1971 as a national historical park.
• The C&O Canal Towpath is one of the longest hiking/biking trails in the U.S.
• The park preserves over 1,300 historic structures.