National Parks Along the Potomac River

Four Mile History Hike from the Carousel in Glen Echo Park to the C&O Canal National Historical Park to the Union Arch Bridge and finally, the Clara Barton NHS

This two hour, four mile guided hike starts at the Carousel in Glen Echo Park. We will walk through the park and uncover the story of what was once Washington’s premiere amusement park. Next, we will walk a downhill trail and cross over the C&O Canal where we will learn about George Pointer and the canal’s storied history. We will walk up-stream before crossing the canal again and ascending the hill to the Union Arch Bridge, part of the Washington Aqueduct. Finally, we will stroll through the town of Glen Echo to Clara Barton National Historic Site where we will discover the history of the house and the story of its famous resident, the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton.

This four mile hike is for the physically fit walker. There is some elevation change between MacArthur Blvd. and the C&O Canal. Some sections of unpaved trail are uneven with rocks and tree roots. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Please call, 301-320-1400, if you have any questions.