C&O Canal: Nolands Ferry
My most recent stop on the C&O Canal is Nolands Ferry. For background on what I am doing with the C&O please look at this post.
Location – Nolands Ferry
Mile Marker – 44.6
Historical Comments -The reported location Martha Washington crossed the Potomac River on the way to visit George Washington at Valley Forge.
Nolands Ferry is also a Paleo-Indian period archeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More information on the archeological site can be found here.
Ride to Site – Getting to Nolands Ferry requires you ride through abundant farm land. Be on the lookout for slow moving farm equipment. Pay attention as well for deer and other wildlife crossing the road.
Amenities – picnic tables, boat ramp, restrooms
Road Conditions (from main road) – First half paved, second half hard packed gravel/cinder
Railway Situation – Underpass
Parking Lot Conditions – Hard packed gravel and cinder, use a kickstand puck.
Main Attraction – Boat ramp
My Thoughts –This site is primarily a boat access point for the Potomac River and a rest stop for those using the C&O trail. It is interesting in that the road to the amenities passes through what, I think, is the remains of the canal and lock.
Map
The area around Nolands Ferry
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- River Dead Ahead!
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- Parked where the water once flowed in the canal
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- Railroad overpass
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- Should I pick up a passenger?
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 
We at the C&O Canal Trust, the official nonprofit partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, enjoyed reading about your ride to the Canal. Thanks for sharing! The Trust’s website also has information about sites to see along the Canal. http://www.canaltrust.org/discoveries/places-to-discover.php You may want to consider staying overnight in one of the restored lockhouses in our “Canal Quarters” program too. Visit http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/
Thanks for the information. I will check out the Canal Quarters program, sounds like a great way to get to no the canal.