La Vale: History, Narrows and Train Rides

La Vale offers several distinct points of interest for planning a trip: a preserved toll house on the National Road, long-distance trails, the landscape of the Narrows and train rides between Cumberland and Frostburg. If you’re looking for a hotel, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay—such as architectural history, traveling along a long route or taking a train ride. The distinctions below make it easier to sort sights and activities according to your travel interests.

National Road and Local Culture

The La Vale Toll Gate House was built in 1835–1836 as a two-story, seven-sided brick building. It is the only surviving toll house on the National Road in Maryland and was the first toll house of its kind to be built. The building thus connects a specific architectural form with the history of the road. During the 2026 season, it can be visited free of charge and without a reservation; check the details for your visit before you arrive.

The Five Mile House is also connected with the history of the National Road: it is one of the eleven Maryland inns along this road listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The LaVale Library’s public art project offers a different perspective on culture. It features works by local artists Steven Fiscus and Jeff Dardozzi. In this way, historic buildings and a contemporary art project offer distinct cultural themes.

The Narrows, Long-Distance Trails and Landscape

The National Road passes through the Narrows in La Vale, a 1,000-foot-wide gap between Wills Mountain and Haystack Mountain. Regionally, Allegany County’s Historic National Road Byway is part of Maryland’s 170-mile Historic National Road Scenic Byway. For a trip focused on road and architectural history, this lets you connect a specific landscape with a longer route through the state.

The C&O Canal towpath also runs through the area around La Vale for 184.5 miles from Cumberland to Washington, D.C. It can be used on foot or by bicycle. The Great Allegheny Passage runs through the Cumberland Narrows. The two routes offer different points of reference: the C&O Canal highlights the long distance, its endpoints and travel on foot or by bicycle; for the Great Allegheny Passage, its route through the Narrows shapes the connection to the landscape.

At the Great Allegheny Passage in La Vale, there is the Cash Valley Road Parking lot at trail mile marker 5.2. The address is 11250 Cash Valley Road NW, LaVale, Maryland. Parking details may change, so check the latest information before heading there.

Train Rides and Visits to Cumberland

The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers a round trip between Cumberland and Frostburg, on either a historic steam locomotive or a diesel locomotive. This is a different way to experience the region than traveling the towpath on foot or by bicycle: here, the trip between the two cities and the locomotive itself shape the outing. Check the schedule before your trip.

The Frostburg Flyer route passes through the Narrows, around Helmstetter’s Curve and through the historic Brush Tunnel, which is 916 feet long. Specific excursion details may vary, so it’s worth checking the ride information when planning. The Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center has interactive exhibits about the history of the C&O Canal and Cumberland. Check current operating details before your visit.

Above all, compare the specific sights and activities you’d like to include in your plans, and check the information provided for each time-sensitive visit.

Explore more destinations: Barton, Cumberland, Frostburg

For the broader travel overview: Allegany.