Lock Keepers Cottage on C&O Canal/Potomac River

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Entire home·Private host

Choose dates to view prices

Dates

December 2024

January 2025

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

Parking available

Washer

Barbecue grill

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Fireplace

Explore the area

Sharpsburg, MD

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
1 min walk
Antietam National Battlefield
21 min drive
Antietam National Cemetery
23 min drive
Hagerstown, MD (HGR-Hagerstown Regional)
31 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Parking available

for 1 night

includes taxes & fees

9 Dec - 10 Dec

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

for 1 night

includes taxes & fees

9 Dec - 10 Dec

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Located just steps away from Dam #4 on the C&O Canal / Potomac River. (C&O mile marker 84.6) Perfect for a getaway or romantic weekend. You can hike/bike the C&O Canal, bring your kayak/canoe/bikes, fish or swim in the river. Sit on the porch and listen to the rumble of the water falling over the dam. Local lore is this was the home of a canal lock keeper or the gate house keeper. For history buffs, there was a small skirmish when Lee’s army attempted to cross dam.

JANUARY -MARCH 2025 - 1 week minimum booking required. If over 28 days, a separate lease agreement will be required. 1 week minimum might change, you can inquire if you are looking for specific dates.

THIS IS NOT A PARTY HOUSE, OWNER ON SITE IN GARAGE APARTMENT.

The house is a historic house built in 1841 and remodeled sometime in the early 1900's. Please be aware, the steps up to the front door and the basement steps are a little steep.

THE FIREPLACE IS NOT TO BE USED, its not in working condition.

FYI - this house is not a Canal Quarters lockhouse operated by the C & O Canal Trust, it is privately owned.

Cell/text service can be sketchy down here at the river, all depends on your carrier/weather conditions, etc. I have no issues, but if you do, wi-if calling works. And the internet works great!

Roku for tv. You will need to use your own passwords for Netflix, YouTube, etc. Discovery+ is on the Roku

FYI FOR TIMID DRIVERS : The house is high on a hill above the river, one side of the driveway has a steep drop off down to the road. The driveway is tight, but there is room for 4 cars, you will need to make 3 point turns in order to turn around.

We also have access to a local farm if you wish to stable your horses to ride along the canal or battlefield , I can put you in touch with them to discuss fees. They will allow you to park your trailer at the farm. (you need permission/permit for the battlefield)

Public boat ramp a few miles farther down the road. Because of steep/tight driveway, there is no room for boat/jet ski trailers. You can keep them overnight at the horse farm for a small fee.

During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. Enjoy your stay with amenities like free WiFi and a kitchen in the cottage.

Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and fireplace
Free WiFi
Steps from Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

This cottage offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Sharpsburg cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Rorke Eichholz

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

Cross-country skiing and snowboarding nearby

Internet

Free WiFi

Parking and transport

On-site parking
Car required

Kitchen

Fridge
Stovetop
Microwave
Oven
Dishwasher
Toaster
Electric kettle
Coffee/tea maker
Spices

Dining

Dining table

Bedrooms

3 bedrooms
Bed sheets provided
Sofa bed

Bathrooms

1 bathroom
Bath or shower
Shampoo
Towels provided
Hairdryer
Toilet paper
Soap

Living spaces

Fireplace
Living room
Dining room

Entertainment

TV with cable/satellite service
Books
Games

Outdoor areas

Patio
Barbecue
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Firepit

Laundry

Washing machine and dryer
Near a laundromat

Work spaces

Desk

Comfort

Air conditioning
Heating

Pets

No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

On the river
In a rural location
Near a hospital
Near outlet shopping

Things to do

Fitness facilities nearby
Kayaking on site
Cycling on site
Rafting nearby
Swimming nearby
Cave exploring nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Hiking nearby
Winery tours nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby

Safety features

Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM

Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome.

Note from host: younger ones s/b supervised, lots of small items

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Long-term renters welcome

Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

Lock Keepers Cottage on the Potomac River / C&O Canal Cottage

Lock Keepers Cottage on the Potomac River / C&O Canal Sharpsburg

Lock Keepers Cottage on C&O Canal/Potomac River Reviews

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10 Excellent

Karen V.

11 Nov 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Cool history

We had a great time. Very comfortable like home.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie S.

16 Oct 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

A Weekend Well Worth the Drive.

Peaceful, tranquil and so much to explore right outside the door. The front porch is the perfect location for meals and reading. I absolutely loved riding my bike on the C&O canal towpath. The cottage is beautiful and well decorated with lots of details. Can’t wait to come back!

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark D.

28 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Biking the C and O Canal

My brother and I used this wonderful historic home as a base camp for several days of biking the C and O. We did 142 miles of the 180. Dam#4 on the Potomic, across the road, is just this side of heaven. Go here. You won't regret it.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

kathleen m., PA

12 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Cottage

The location of the cottage was perfect for our bike trip. Just across the street was the entrance to the towpath with wonderful views of the Potomac. The cottage itself was very cool even with the hot humid weather. Very interesting decor. The slate steps to the cottage are steep and have no railing which may be a problem for some people. You definitely need a car but we found restaurants and other things to do within 30 minutes.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

AMY W., Fremont, Ohio

15 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful relaxing stay

Looking for something unique and historical -this is the place. Great home base to visit Harper’s Ferry and Antietam. Wish we could have stayed longer!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin H.

3 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Great cottage

We had a great time exploring the area , seeing lots of wildlife, we just must of have misunderstood about the river but overall we had a wonderful time

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert T.

15 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Great vacation spot! Loved every bit of this cottage!

Our stay was simply amazing! The home was very clean and inviting. You can here the sound of the water as it rolls over the dam from the the front porch. The sounds of the birds chirping right outside is the best sound. We loved this place and will be back. Rorke is especially nice and was very easy to communicate with. 5 Stars easy!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Doug F., Loganville, Pennsylvania, USA

30 Mar 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Springtime delight

Loved this property and location. Cozy, comfortable accommodations; all the necessities worked well.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S., Annapolis

29 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Serene

Loved our stay…beautiful home, peaceful setting, lots of nature and historical sites/towns to explore.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ray T.

11 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Better than described!!

Excellent property, even better than described. Unique decorations and amenities make it feel like home. Highly reccomend.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris Z.

9 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

A relaxing getaway

We loved staying here. The cottage is charming and comfortable. While most of the the structure, and furnishings, are vintage, the kitchen is updated and thoughtfully stocked.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy T.

27 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy cottage!

A very cozy cottage! Host had nice amenities and great info on the area. Beautiful location along the Potomac River. Good for long walks, bike rides and enjoying the area. Some steep steps inside and out, so need to be nimble.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

cindy54 T.

24 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy, Quaint Cottage

Historical cozy and quaint cottage nestled among the woods and the rustle of the dam waters. Very peaceful yet fairly close to attractions. Splendid!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erik S.

28 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Enchanting

We had a wonderful time staying at this very comfortable and cozy cottage. Our stay was only 3 days so we didnt get to do everything we wanted to do in area. We would very much like to come back again, maybe next year.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott L.

8 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Just what we needed!

It was what we needed. It was quiet and it was peaceful and we really loved it. We didn't want to go! having morning coffee on the porch to sitting out on the patio in the Evening having a night cap. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect place to getaway too.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Alvin S.

6 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Rustic Seclusion

Nice stay. Was looking for a get-away yet not too far away. Rustic setting next to the C&O Canal and Potomac Dam #4. Great hiking, quiet setting, and good visits to Harpers Ferry and Shepherds Town, WV. Enjoyed our time at the cottage.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Don F., Schuylkill Haven, USA

17 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful and Relaxing

Can't say enough good things about this place. The setting is superb- from the sights and sounds as you relax on the porch looking at and listening to the waterfall, to the wonderfully decorated and comfortable interior. Really enjoyed just relaxing here. Next time I'll be sure to bring my bike to explore the C&O trail.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Regina P.

3 Jan 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Great escape

Overall great property and location. Rorke was incredible. She was incredibly friendly and communicative. This is a great place to veg out with your family and explore nature!

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly H.

4 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect fall getaway

Beautiful property and beautiful location. Owner has tended thoughtfully to all the details.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stacie L.

6 Nov 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect weekend trip

5 of us came down from outside of Philly for our son’s football game at nearby St James. This was the perfect place to stay and explore over the weekend. Because his football game took most of the day on Saturday, we did not get as much time to explore as would have liked. We will definitely be back for another weekend getaway as soon as possible. The cottage was beautifully decorated and Rorke was the best hostess who answered any questions we had almost instantaneously. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

mark c.

9 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

MRC

Loved the house, location and ease of process. Host was very accommodating and communative.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan P.

8 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Charming and Cozy Getaway

This lovely cottage overlooking the C&O Canal/Potomac evokes the feel of simpler days gone by. From the charming and lovely decor/antiques to the pleasure of sipping coffee on the front porch while listening to the nearby waterfall, we didn’t even need to leave the cottage to have a wonderful vacation. Nonetheless, we toured nearby Harpers Ferry, rode bikes on the canal towpath, and attended a wedding in lovely Shepherdstown, WV. Rorke was such a thoughtful hostess, leaving on the lights for our late arrival, and providing all the necessary amenities for a wonderful stay. Hope to return someday.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

LIsa C.

18 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely

It was just as it was pictured online! We loved it and the host was so thoughtful about what we might need, the way she labeled things and her decorating was very nicely done!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Denise A.

31 Jul 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Remote and relaxing

The cottage is cozy and has all the things you need for your stay and more. We biked the C&O and it was a little rough at spots (we are used to biking the Pine Creek Trail in PA which is very well maintained), but it was still a pleasant ride. Next time we may bike other sections of the trail that are less remote. The road past the cottage leads to a boat access to the river so beware of the trucks towing boats to the access. The area is a little off the beaten path and going out to get food was at least 20 minutes but there are many really great restaurants to choose from in Shepardstown, Williamsport and Sharpsburg. We did enjoy relaxing on the very large porch listening to the water going over the dam. You are not able to see the river due to leaves on the trees in the summer. We would recommend staying at the lock keepers house, it was lovely.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022