Comment Period #2 - Great Falls DCP Management Concepts

Visitation across Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has steadily risen from approximately 3 to 5 million annual visitors over the past 15 years. The Great Falls (Maryland) area is the most heavily visited site within the park, reaching approximately 800,000 annual visitors. The Billy Goat Trail Section A can draw more than 2,000 visitors daily during the peak season and approximately 150,000 visitors annually.

This area of the park also contains more than 100 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, making this area one of the most biologically diverse in the national park system. Erosion and resource damage from flooding and high visitation can impact these important natural resources and significant cultural resources, including Native American petroglyphs, within the Potomac River Gorge.

Owing to the steep terrain, proximity of fast-moving river conditions, and high visitor use, the trail system in this area sees approximately 150 trail evacuations and approximately 50-75 medical calls per year, in addition to over two dozen fatalities since 2001.

The surge in visitors has created both opportunities and challenges. While the growing popularity brings potential for new, engaging public activities like hiking etiquette or astronomy classes, it also strains the park's natural, cultural, and staffing resources. The increase in visitation affects the quality of experience for visitors on trails, towpaths, and recreational areas, while also harming sensitive ecosystems and historical sites.

To address challenges, the park has initiated a development concept plan (DCP). The DCP aims to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, while also protecting the park's resources. The DCP includes identifying tactics to increase safety and improve recreational opportunities, increase participation by people with disabilities and accessibility needs, establish ways to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources, and preserve historic structures. The DCP will include guidelines to manage high visitation and preserve endangered plant species and historical sites.

Your feedback is vital! Comment on the Help shape the park's future by sharing your input. We encourage you to provide your feedback on proposed strategies for managing the Great Falls area. The comment period will be open from June 26 to July 28, 2025.

Topic Questions:

1. Billy Goat Trail Section A - Do you have comments, concerns, or preferences related to management strategies proposed along Billy Goat Trail Section A?

2. River Access - Which locations in the project area do you currently use or would you like to use to access the Potomac River?

3. General - Do you have other thoughts you would like to share with the project team?

Document Content:

June 26, 2025_Great Falls Area DCP Public Meeting Presentation_508.pdf   (4.6 MB, PDF file) June 26, 2025_Video Webinar Great Falls Area DCP    Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.