Hancock Maryland
“A Trail Town Community”
Town of Hancock MD
Hancock, Maryland is nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Western Maryland along the banks of the Potomac River, and border Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Hancock is a unique town in the Western Maryland mountains with views of the entire area. Hancock is only a short drive from Morgantown, Pittsburgh, and the DC-Baltimore Metropolitan Areas. Hancock Maryland is part of the distinction that U.S. Route 40 has been given as the “All-American Road.”
Hancock, Maryland has something for everyone, whether your interests are shopping, outdoor recreation or relaxation, Hancock Maryland is also home to a huge indoor antique store and flea market and have renowned family owned restaurants that have been in business for decades. Hancock, Maryland is situated along the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park where bikers and hikers are welcome every day of the year. Bicyclists, skaters, walkers, joggers, and natures lovers utilize the C&O Canal towpath and the Western Maryland Rail Trail, for bicycling with level black top pavement stretching for 21 miles that is fun and safe for children, adults, and seniors. Camping, horseback riding, and boating also lend to Hancock’s reputation for year round outdoor recreational experiences.
History of Hancock MD
Hancock Maryland is one of the oldest settlements in Western Maryland. The town got its name from Edward Hancock Jr. whose family was instrumental operating the ferry at the northernmost point of the Potomac River. Edward Hancock also fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolution.
Hancock was an outpost on the frontier, the area known as “Tonoloway Settlement” was subject to the ravages of Indian raids. Maryland Provincial Governor Horatio Sharpe ordered a series of forts to be built along the Potomac. In 1755, Lt. Thomas Stoddert, was sent out to build a stockade fort in the “Tonoloways” (now Hancock).
As the National Pike (National Road) was extended westward in 1818, the town boomed as stagecoach inns, liveries, and blacksmith shops dotted the Main Street. The Barton House, had such notables as Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and Davy Crockett.
The next growth spurt for Hancock came with the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which ran from Georgetown in Washington D.C. to Cumberland, MD, a total of 184.5 miles. It reached Hancock by 1839. With the completion of the canal Hancock boasted two business districts, one on Main Street (or Baltimore Street) and the other on Water Street.
After the Civil War in 1886, E.P. Cohill began planting orchards on the hills surrounding Hancock. As thousands of acres were cultivated, Hancock became a “fruit basket for the nation” and flourished well into the 1970’s.
Hancock was home to “The Hunting Club of the Presidents”, called Woodmont Hunting Club. Situated on a high hill along the Potomac west of town it is now the property of the Maryland State Dept. of Natural Resources and is open to the public once a year.
Hancock MD Highlights
- Bowles House
- C & O Canal
- Rails & Trails
- Museum & Visitors Center
- Tonoloway Baptist Church
- Hancock Tollhouse
- Historical Society Museum in Town Hall
- Fort Frederick
- Woodmont Rod & Gun Club
- Sideling Hill Cut
- St Thomas Episcopal Church
- Hancock Antique Mall
- Widmeyer Park / Veterans War Memorial
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Hancock MD Tourism Listings
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for guests to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park which features 243 acre, Lake Habeeb.
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for guests to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park which features 243 acre, Lake Habeeb. The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds its way through an impressive mile-long gap displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks, and a hemlock forest dense with rhododendron.
Overlooking the lake is Evitt’s Mountain, named for an early settler in Allegany County, Maryland. Rocky Gap Campground offers 278 individual campsites (including 30 equipped with 30 amp electric hook-ups, Mini Cabin and Yurt Options), a family group site and two youth group camping areas.
The campground also features a dump station, bathhouses with hot water in each loop, the Scales & Tales Aviary, canoe/kayak/SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), a nature center, a private swimming beach, a playground, trail access, Snack Shack and a camp store.
Pets are allowed in Camp Loops Ash, Birch, Chestnut, Dogwood, and Elm (Sites 1- 143). Alcohol is only permitted inside personal motorhomes. Check-in for campsites is 3:00 pm and check-out is 1:00 pm.
The Family Group Site offers space for up to 40 people to camp together. The group site includes a two-story Mini Cabin with electric, as well as six 30 amp electric hookups and a group fire ring. Bathhouses are located in the adjacent camp loops.
There are 15 Mini Cabins located throughout the exterior of the Easter Hill Chalet campground. They sleep either four or six people. The Yurt accommodates 8 people and has an adjoining camp pad to increase the total site capacity to 15 people. Each has electricity (no water) and beds. Users must provide their own linens. Air conditioning and heat are not available. Check-in for Mini Cabins and the Yurt is 3:00 pm and check-out is 12:00 pm.
The Super 8 Motel in Hancock, MD is centrally located at the intersection of I-68, I-70 and SR 522. There are so many things to do, you’ll need more then one night. Enjoy Whitetail Resort for skiing, snow boarding and fly fishing you will enjoy hiking or biking on C&O Canal/Rails and Trails, stroll through the antique shop downtown while choosing which restaurant to dine in. No matter your interest, everyone is sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery especially during the fall season. Children under 18 years old stay for free.
July 13 – 20, 2019
Sharpsburg Pike, MD
The Washington County Ag Expo and Fair provides fun for the whole family! Come out for the day or take advantage of our passes. The Gate & Events Pass offers unlimited access to the fair and track events all week. Parking is free.
All Gate Admission Passes include Open Class and 4-H/FFA exhibits and shows, Live Bands, Machinery and Equipment displays, Business displays, and many weekly activities! Carnival rides not included in general admission.
Features 80 RV sites, 17 cabins, 2 lodges At this KOA, you can take a lazy canoe ride under a bright canopy of leaves. Great fishing and canoeing in the creek. Meander along winding paths through extensive, lush rock gardens. Relax in the gazebo surrounded by flowers and herbs. Enjoy mini golf, a playground, an outdoor theater, game room, swimming pool and oversized chess and checkers. Participate in themed weekends during the summer. Check out the Haunted House in October, a chilling experience. On weekends, stop by KOA’s nostalgic Remember When Diner. Enjoy hamburgers and fries, pizza or a crab cake dinner, as well as a full breakfast menu. Indulge in the soda fountain’s old-fashioned malts, shakes and floats. With this KOA as your home base, visit Antietam, Gettysburg and Harper’s Ferry battlegrounds. It’s a great place for Scouts, church groups and family reunions. Pool: Memorial Weekend – Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 60 feet. Your hosts: the Durham family. March-November
Enjoy a unique sandwich made with fresh ingredients and carefully selected wine and beer pairings. Live music on huge deck by the C&O Canal. Browse three floors of antiques! American cuisne.
Days Open: No disappointment with three floors of antiques, unique finds and BuddyLou’s Bargains! Enjoy a drink, sandwich and music on our deck by the C&O Canal.
Hours: Sun, Tues-Sat. 10am-8pm
Historic Town Hill Hotel B&B is located in the scenic mountains of western Maryland. Originally built in early 1916 as a fruit stand, by 1920, it had become a bustling restaurant and hotel. Town Hill was “the first tourist hotel built in the state of Maryland to accommodate the automobile traveler.” Its scenic overlook with an amazing view of three states and seven counties soon became known as the “Beauty Spot of Maryland.” Even after extensive remodeling, the Inn still retains the look of yesteryear with its 10 foot ceilings, original woodwork, and furnishings.
Town Hill Bed & Breakfast is proud to announce its 19th year anniversary. Some days it seems like a hundred years, other days it seems like just yesterday that we bought this old, abandoned building on top of a mountain in western Maryland. Much love, toil, and sweat has transformed it into our beautiful country inn. The hard part is now completed, and we look forward to welcoming all of our friends and acquaintances back.
Located only 5 miles from both West Virginia and Pennsylvania at the narrowest point of Maryland. This charming, quaint, newly remodeled 22-guest rooms Inn is positioned on one of the picturesque hills of the Appalachian Mountains, near the banks of the Potomac River. Our Guest rooms offer amenities that include cable TV, complimentary local calls, a work station, complimentary continental breakfast is available in the lobby. handicap accessible, internet access, pets allowed.
The 1828 Trail Inn overlooks the historic C&O Canal. Rail Trail and the Potomac River from the wrap-around porch or back deck. Be greeted with afternoon refreshments, settle into your comfortable room, walk to restaurants, and wake up to coffee and a full chef’s choice breakfast.
Hagerstown’s first full production brewery. Tour our state of the art facility and unwind in our gorgeous tasting room or outdoor patio. Award winning, traditional brews and seasonal varieties available daily.
Our brand new hotel is conveniently located near Interstate 70 with attractions such as Whitetail Ski Resort, Hagerstown Speedway, Fort Frederick State Park and Antietam National Battlefield nearby. Unwind and enjoy our indoor pool and spa, complimentary deluxe hot breakfast, free WiFi, guest laundry facilities, exercise room and so much more. Come and be our guest today! For groups of 10 or more please contact Lauren Pahl at lpahl@glfhospitalitygroup.com or 856-393-8817 for Special Group Rates.
Little Orleans Campground is located on 222 acres of beautiful woodlands in the Upper Potomac River valley in Western Maryland and provides a total camping experience. There is always something to see and do regardless of the season! The tent and RV campsites are spaciously located within the forest area for your nature enjoyment. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table, and each RV site has electric, water, and sewer. Full-service cabins are also available for rental. The Chespeake & Ohio Canal is located beside the Potomac River 1/2 mile to the south for additional hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There is also a boat ramp at that point on the river that is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and other small craft. Both large and small group camping areas available.
Originally a one-room schoolhouse, the Little Orleans Lodge has been serving the hiker-biker community and outdoor enthusiast since 2001. Nestled between Green Ridge State Forest and the C & O Canal National Historical Park (Mile Marker 141 on the towpath at Fifteen Mile Campground and just five miles west of the Western Maryland Rail Trail.) Little Orleans is the only stopover between Hancock and Cumberland, Maryland. Little Orleans Lodge is located only 1/2 mile from the C & O Canal Towpath and offers a variety of rooms to accommodate all visitors, from the solo hiker-biker to any large group.
American history from the colonial period to the present can be discovered at Fort Frederick State Park. Our 585 acre park features a unique stone fort that served as Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War.
The park borders the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal passes through the park. The park also features a boat launch, campsites, camp store, fishing, flat water canoeing, a hiking trail, interpretive and educational programs, picnicking, a playground, and a shelter.
Days Open: Open year-round on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and 2nd and 4th Sundays
Hours: 1-5 PM
Museum has thousands of items pertaining to Hancock, thousands of antiques, transportation museum pertaining to C & O Canal, National Pike, and Western Maryland Railroad. We also have many, many antique tools. We have a library for research of many historical buildings, businesses, clubs and churches. We have a complete listing of cemeteries in an around Hancock, also a great place for genealogy research.
Located in the award-winning Rocky Gap Casino Resort, A Little Munch offers tasty baked goods, a variety of sandwiches, and a full-service bar. Enjoy specialty coffee and a pastry, grab a sandwich and a beer or have a cocktail while playing at Rocky Gap Casino Resort’s video poker bar. A Little Munch at Rocky Gap Casino Resort offers tasty baked goods, a variety of sandwiches and a full-service bar. Stop by the lobby and grab a bite, your stomach will thank you.
