Bike Washington’sC&O Canal Bicycling Guide | Overnight Lodging |
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Where can I stay overnight? If (after miles of rough ridin' and dust eatin') you prefer a hot shower, hot food, and a soft bed, then you can use the many motels and B&B scattered along the canal.
Major stops are conveniently provided every 30 miles or so. When we used the three day "econo" option, our overnight stops were at miles 61 and 124. Mile 61 is Harper's Ferry, WV, where we stayed at the now closed Hilltop House, which is sad because this was a neat old Hotel that provided a great view of the valley. However, there are several alternative options in town now, most of which are located at the top of a very large hill. Please check the list below for the most up-to-date information.
The towpath is located along Harpers Ferry Rd, just across the river from town. You can reach the town via a pedestrian walkway along one of the railroad crossing. If you wish to bring your bike an gear over to town, you will need to haul it up a staircase. However, racks are available to lock you bike if you just wish to walk over.
The second overnight stop was in Hancock, Md at mile 124. Here we stayed at Econo Lodge (now a Super 8 Motel 301-678-6101). This was a fine motel at the time, but I have not seen many favorable reviews as of late. They offer a continental breakfast, but no other food. There are several restaurant choices in town for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The following table lists all known Lodging choices along the towpath. Most are
within a short bicycle distance from the towpath, but some will probably require
a shuttle service. Also, keep in mind that during peak periods (like mid-October
during the color change) hotels will book up fast.
| Mile | Name | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Hotel Lombardy (map) | 800.424.5486: Foggy Bottom Area, 2019 Pennsylvania Ave, NW |
| 0.1 | Tabard Inn (map) | 202.785.1277: Located in Dupont Circle Area. 1739 N Street, NW |
| 0.1 | Washington DC Hostel (map) | 202.737.2333: Located at 11th and K Streets, NW (near the Convention Center). |
| 1.0 | The Inn of Rosslyn (map) | 703-524-3400: Inexpensive motel, access via Key Bridge. 1601 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA |
| 5.4 | Lockhouse 6 | New lodging option. Stay overnight in a real lock house. |
| 12.4 | Rockwood Manor (map) | 301.299.5026: County operated conference center with overnight accommodations for large groups (up to 100 persons). About one half mile up the hill from Angler's Inn. |
| 19.7 | Lockhouse 22 | New lodging option. Stay overnight in a real lock house. |
| 35.5 | Norris House Inn (map) | 800.644.1806: Leesburg: 108 Loudoun St SW. Accessible via Ferry and Business Route 15. Shuttle Available |
| 35.5 | Best Western (map) | 703.777.9400: Leesburg: 726 E Market St |
| 35.5 | The Leesburg Colonial Inn (map) | 800.392.1332: Leesburg: 19 South King St. A 10-room Bed-and-Breakfast, centrally located in downtown Leesburg, VA. Two blocks from the W&OD trail, and many nearby restaurants. |
| 49.0 | Lockhouse 28 | New for 2011. Stay in a real lockhouse. Very rustic conditions and close proximity to active railroad. |
| 55.0 | Georges Mill Farm B&B (map) | 540.822.5224: Lovettsville, VA - about 5 miles south along Route 287. |
| 55.0 | Linden Hall Farm (map) | 540-822-5010: B&B located about 1.5 miles south of Brunswick, MD, just off VA Route 287. Pick-up available. |
| 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. |
| 60.7 | Comfort Inn (map) | 304.535.6391: 25 Union Street, Harpers Ferry, WV - about 1.5 miles from towpath. From the historic area, follow Shenandoah St to Rt 340, then go right on the wide shoulder for about 100 yards. Hotel will be on the right. This avoids the hill on Washington St. |
| 60.7 | The Town's Inn (map) | 877.489.2447: This recently renovated inn is the only lodging in Lower Town Harpers Ferry, and closest option to the Towpath. 21 beds in 7 rooms. 179 High Street, Harper's Ferry, WV |
| 60.7 | Teahorse Hostel (map) | 304-535-6848: Located 1 mile from the Towpath. Price includes breakfast. Locked storage for bikes. 1312 West Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV. |
| 60.7 | Harpers Ferry Guest House (map) | 304.535.2101: Serving hikers and cycles for nearly 20 years. Indoor bicycle storage. Located at the top of the hill. 800 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV |
| 72.8 | Bavarian Inn (map) | 304.876.2551: Directly across river via Route 34 Bridge. Probably one of the nicest places to stay along the towpath. |
| 72.8 | Thomas Shepherd Inn (map) | 888.889.8952: Cross Route 34 Bridge. About 1/2 Mile past Bavarian Inn |
| 72.8 | Clarion Hotel (map) | 304.876.7000: On the far side of town, past the Thomas Shepherd Inn. |
| 72.8 | Comfort Inn (map) | 304.876.3160: Cross Route 34 Bridge. Right onto Route 45. Located on right at 2001 Maddex Square Drive. |
| 72.8 | Cottage at Cress Creek (map) | 304.876.2544 x205: 604 South Hills Drive Shepherdstown, WV - Can sleep up to 16 people. Indoor parking for bikes and a hot tub. Less then one mile from the towpath. |
| 76.8 | Jacob Rohrbach Inn (map) | 877.839.4242: A Bed and Breakfast in Sharpsburg, MD - About 1 mile from trail, near Antietam Battlefield. 138 W. Main St. |
| 76.8 | Antietam Guest House (map) | 301.992.9767: Quiet location in Sharpsburg, just one block off Main Street. Locked bike store. Great food nearby |
| 76.8 | Inn at Red Hill (map) | 301.730.2620: Located about 6 miles from the canal, not far from Antietam National Battlefield. Shuttle service available. 4936 Red Hill Road, Keedysville, MD. |
| 99.4 | Red Roof Inn (map) | 301.582.3500: Williamsport, MD - Located about 1 Mile from the towpath, along Potomac Street (Route 11) |
| 99.4 | Candlelight Inn Bed and Breakfast (map) | 301-223-7376: Located in downtown Williamsport, just two blocks from the towpath. 14 N Conococheague St. |
| 108.7 | Lockhouse 49 | New lodging option. Stay overnight in a real lock house. |
| 124.1 | 1828 Trail Inn (map) | 301.678.7227: Hancock, MD - Bed and Breakfast located just one block from the trail. 10 West Main Street. |
| 124.1 | Riverrun B&B (map) | 301.678.6150: Probably one of the closest accommodations to the towpath, and several recommendations from 2010 travelers. 7 South Taney Street. |
| 124.4 | Super 8 Motel (map) | 301.678.6101: Hancock, MD - Travel one block away from river and turn left on Main Street. Hotel is located on far side of overpass. |
| 124.4 | Hancock Budget Motel (map) | 301.678.7351: Hancock, MD |
| 124.4 | C&O Bicycle (map) | 301.678.6665: Hancock, MD - Full Service Bike Shop, right next to the towpath on Penn Ave. Also offers overnight bunk house. Closed Tuesday. |
| 140.8 | Town Hill Hotel B&B (map) | 877.696.2794: Located several miles from the Towpath on top of Town Hill Mt. A shuttle service is available, with multiple pickup points |
| 140.8 | Little Orleans Lodge (map) | 301.478.2102: Under New Management! Only 1/2 mile from towpath on Appel Road. Includes breakfast, and free WiFi. |
| 140.9 | Buck Valley Ranch (map) | 717.294.3759: Offers a free shuttle to and from the towpath. Includes dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch. |
| 184.5 | Holiday Inn Cumberland (map) | 301.724.8800: Conveniently located near the C&O and GAP trail heads. Bicycle friendly. Check webpage for package deals. 100 South George Street |
| 184.5 | The Inn on Decatur (map) | 301.722.4887: Operated by the folks at Mountainside Bike Tours. Only 3 blocks from downtown. 108 Decatur Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 |
| 184.5 | Fairfield Inn (map) | 301.722.0340: Located right next to the trail, just south of the interstate. |