Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Scenic Byway

Frederick County, Maryland

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Scenic Byway is your path to the great outdoors in Frederick County, Maryland.

Following the Potomac River, this historic corridor traces the route of the 19th century Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, built to transport coal, lumber, and agricultural goods between Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and Cumberland, Maryland. Today, the canal is preserved as the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the 184-mile towpath serves as one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the National Park system.

Monocacy Aqueduct is the longest "water bridge" along the C&O Canal's 184 mile path. 

In Frederick County, the C&O Canal Scenic Byway connects river towns, hiking trails, cycling routes, and wide-open views along the Potomac. The designated Canal Town of Brunswick sits just steps from the towpath, offering small-town charm, local shops, and easy access to the river. 

Brunswick is located along the C&O Canal and the historic tracks of the B&O Railroad with access to the Appalachian Trail only three miles away to the west

Outdoor adventure defines this byway. Bike for miles along the flat, crushed-stone towpath. Paddle the Potomac River. Fish, hike, or climb to scenic overlooks like Weverton Cliffs, where the Appalachian Trail descends from the crest of South Mountain. Interpretive signs along the route tell stories of canal workers, lockkeepers, and the fierce rivalry between the canal and the railroad.

Along the way, family-owned farms, ice cream stops, and local outfitters make it easy to turn a simple drive into a full day outdoors. Whether you’re cycling through fall foliage, kayaking in summer, or walking beneath bare winter trees with river views stretching toward West Virginia, the experience is grounded in both nature and history.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Scenic Byway is one of the best ways to experience Frederick County’s rivers, trails, and timeless landscapes.

Load up the car, bring your outdoor gear, and follow the river.