Bike Washington’s  C&O Canal Bicycling Guide

Mile 50 thru 70

Trip Planning From which end should I start? Where can I leave my car? How many days to ride the entire trail? How do I get back to my car? Where can I stay overnight? Where can I camp along the trail? Is water available along the trail? Is food available along the trail? What kind of bike tires should I use? Can I rent a bicycle? Any tips for Scout leaders? What should I bring along? Trip Planning Mile-by-Mile Mileposts 0-10 Mileposts 10-25 Mileposts 25-40 Mileposts 40-50 Mileposts 50-70 Mileposts 70-82 Mileposts 82-106 Mileposts 106-116 Mileposts 116-130 Mileposts 130-150 Mileposts 150-168 Mileposts 168-184 Mile-by-Mile Trip Reports 2007 2004 2003 1995 Trip Reports Info-to-Go Print to Go Download GPS Waypoints Download to Phone/PDA Info-to-Go

Mile 62.9 - The Huckleberry Hill Hiker/Biker campsite

Mile 60.5 - A view of Hilltop House from the towpath.

Mile 60.2 - Downtown Harpers Ferry, WV

Mile 60.2 - Footbridge to Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights cliffs

Mile 58 - Lockhouse 33 marks the Appalachian Trail intersection

Mile 55 - The rail station at Brunswick, MD

After about 30 miles of "remote" wilderness, things start to get crowded as the canal enters the Appalachian Mountains. In the narrow valleys, river, canal, railroad, and highway must compete for limited real estate. During the early 1800s, the canal and railroad companies were constantly involved in legal battles surrounding these right-of-ways. In some of the tighter sections, you will note that the railroad has since taken over the abandoned canal bed.

Mile 51.5 is the site of the Catoctin Creek Aqueduct. This aqueduct completely collapsed several years ago and has since been replaced by a footbridge. A few miles past, you enter the Brunswick, MD area. This town contains a small railroad yard and an RV campground along the river.

The towpath is typically quite bumpy here, since traffic uses it to access the campground. Route 17/287 also crosses the Potomac here at mile 55. This road runs south to Purcellville, VA (via Lovettsville) where you can catch the western terminus of the W&OD Trail. However, Route 287 is not very cyclist friendly (fast traffic and no shoulder). Instead, I recommend you use one of the very nice country roads to the east or west of Route 287. Look for the State Road 663 intersection, about 1 mile south of the river.

The highlight in this section is the town of Harpers Ferry, located at the fork of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. This town, now a National Historic Park, has a long history of floods and wars. A walkway along one of the railroad bridges provides easy access from the canal. On both trips, I stayed at the Hilltop House, which has a restaurant and a wonderful view of the valley. (only some rooms have TVs, so specify if you would like one). The less expensive alternative is the Comfort Inn.

The ten mile section upstream of Harpers Ferry is one of my favorite sections. This area played a big part in Civil War history. The John Brown abolitionist revolt at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal was credited as one of the major events leading to the Civil War. Several years later, the Union and Confederate armies fought the bloodiest battle of the war at Antietam Creek just outside Sharpsburg, MD.

This section makes a great day trip for the whole family. It is only about an hour drive from Washington. The towpath here is typically in good shape. After biking for a few miles, you can march over the river and check out the historic section of Harpers Ferry. This is also a nice hiking trail to the top of the Maryland Heights cliffs overlooking the town.
To reach this area from Washington, DC:

• Take I-270 North to Frederick.
• At Frederick, follow Route 340 South toward Harpers Ferry.
  • 55.0: Brunswick, MD.
    • After about 10 miles on Route 340, take the Route 17 Exit for Brunswick.
    • Route 17 will bear right at a traffic light.
    • Upon entering the town, follow the traffic circle almost all the way around. Exit at "A-Street"
    • Once on "A-Street", bear to the right and cross over both sets of railroad tracks.
    • The towpath access point is directly under the Route 17/287 bridge (you can't miss it!)
    • Parking is available under the bridge, or back in the large commuter lot located between the railroad tracks.
  • 60.2: Sandy Hook, MD.
    • Where Route 340 becomes two lanes, look for left turn onto Keep Tryst Road (just prior to Potomac Crossing).
    • This is followed by a quick left and right on to Sandy Hook Road. (Youth Hostel ahead on Left)
    • Follow Sandy Hook Road down the hill, under Route 340, and past the town.
    • Small parking areas are available just past the railroad bridges/tunnel, across the river from Harpers Ferry.
    • Note: Parking here is very limited. Arrive early
  • 64.9: Dargan Bend Recreation Area.
    • Continue to the end of Sandy Hook Road. Becomes Harpers Ferry Road at sharp up-hill turn.
    • After about 1.5 miles, make a left onto Shinham/Back Road.
  • 67.0: Mountain Lock Recreation Area.
    • Continue along Harpers Ferry Road, passing Shinham/Back Road.
    • At Chestnut Grove / Hoffmaster Road intersection, bear left to remain on Harpers Ferry Road.
    • At bottom of second hill, make right onto Limekiln Road.
    • Parking area is at bottom of hill.
  • 69.4: Antietam Creek Campground.
    • Continue along Harpers Ferry Road, passing Limekiln Road.
    • Soon after crossing narrow stone bridge, make right onto Canal Road.
    • Parking area is about 0.25 miles off Harpers Ferry Road.

Towpath Map - Mile 50 thru 70

Mile	Name	Info
50.3	Bald Eagle Island H/B	0.5 miles from vehicle access at mile 50.8 Located near busy railroad. Subject to noise.		X	X
50.8	Lock 29	Access from Lander Road					X
51.5	Catoctin Creek Aqueduct (Ruins)
54.0	Brunswick Family Campground (map)	301.834.8050: Private Campground - Showers. Located between Towpath and River, with Shower Facilities. Appears to be VERY popular but expect railroad noise.			X
55.0	Brunswick, MD	Ample parking. A couple of restaurants, but no easily accessible convenience stores. Access to Virginia via route 17/287					X
55.0	Brunswick Railroad Museum (map)	301.834.7100: 1/4 mile from canal in downtown Brunswick (about 1 block past the railroad station). Also houses the Brunswick C&O Visitor Center
55.0	Georges Mill Farm B&B	540.822.5224: Lovettsville, VA - about 5 miles south along Route 287.				X
55.0	C&O Canal Bicycling (map)	301.834.5180: Bike Rentals. Three blocks from towpath, next to Railroad and Canal Museums.
55.0	Beans in the Belfry (map)	301.834.7178: Coffee shop & meeting place located 0.3 miles from towpath. Cyber cafe offering Sandwiches, soups, salads. 122 West Potomac St	X
55.0	Brunswick Visitor Center (map)	301.834.7100: 40 West Potomac Street, with railroad Museum
58.0	River & Trail Outfitters (map)	888.446.7529 : Bike Rentals and other recreation services
58.0	Appalachian Trail joins towpath						X
58.0	Harpers Ferry Hostel (map)	301.834.7652: On Maryland side across from Harpers Ferry. Cross RR Tracks and make first left. One mile up hill to corner of Keep Tryst and Sandy Hook Roads.			X	X
60.2	Sandy Hook, MD
60.7	Harpers Ferry, WV	Access via footbridge. National Historic Park. AMTRAK Station. Snack Bar (summer only, closes at 5:00p). Restaurant at Hilltop House.	X	X			X
60.7	Hilltop House (map)	304.535.2132: Harpers Ferry, WV - about 1 mile from towpath. (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL 2011)				X
60.7	Comfort Inn (map)	304.535.6391: Harpers Ferry, WV - about 1.5 miles from towpath				X
60.7	River Riders	800.326.7238: Harpers Ferry, WV - half day bike rentals for $25. Also offers multiday tour packages
61.2	Maryland Heights Hiking Trail	Use footbridge over canal - Hiking trail to top of cliffs overlooking Harpers Ferry					X
61.5	Harpers Ferry Road Access	Very small parking lot. No parking on weekends (raft access only)		X			X
62.9	Huckleberry Hill H/B	Remote Campsite - No vehicle access		X	X
64.9	Dargan Bend Recreation Area	Large Parking Area (40-50 vehicles) - Access from Back Rd					X
67.1	Mountain Lock Recreation Area	Parking Area (10-15 vehicles) - Access from Limekiln Rd, just down hill from Harpers Ferry Rd					X
69.3	Antietam Aqueduct
69.4	Antietam Creek Recreation Area (map)	Easy vehicle access - 20 Campsites - Fee Area: $10/Night		X	X		X