C&O Canal Trust

Founded in 2007, the C&O Canal Trust is the official non-profit partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. We work in partnership with the National Park Service and local communities to raise funds to preserve the Park for future generations and to broaden support through programs that highlight the Park’s historical, natural, and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities.

Volunteers play a critical role in the maintenance and preservation of the Park’s natural, cultural, historical, and recreational assets. They remove trash and debris from the towpath and picnic spaces. They paint fences, trim branches, and wash signs. They take care of our seven rehabilitated historical lockhouses, available for guests to spend the night in. And they help underprivileged young people explore the park in ways they might not otherwise get to experience.