Perched above the Potomac River, this 1841 historic home offers a serene retreat. Listen to the soothing sound of water falling over Dam #4 on the C&O Canal as you sit on the porch or explore nearby hiking and biking trails. Enjoy fishing, swimming, or kayaking in the river with access to a local farm for horseback riding along scenic routes.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage
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.
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 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 and text works. And the internet works great!
Roku for tv. You will need to use your own passwords for Netflix, YouTube, etc.
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.
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a hospital
Near an outlet shopping centre
On a river
Things to do
Bicycles
Kayak
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Rafting nearby
Spelunking nearby
Swimming nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: younger ones s/b supervised, lots of small items
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that 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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Sharpsburg, this cottage is in a rural area and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Greenbrier State Park and Washington Monument State Park, while Hagerstown Model Railroad Museum at Antietam Station and Pry House Field Hospital Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Ram Stadium or Hagerstown Field House. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cave exploring and cycling nearby. Visit our Sharpsburg travel guide
Martinsburg, WV (MRB-Eastern West Virginia Regional)
43 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's
30 min drive
Blue Moon Cafe
29 min drive
King's Pizza
30 min drive
Press Room
29 min drive
Domino's Pizza
29 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage located?
Situated on a river, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and Potomac River. Antietam National Battlefield and Williamsport City Hall are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
C&O Canal Potomac River Cottage Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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!!
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
We absolutely LOVED the cabin! It was so cozy and charming. The owners were very responsive and helpful. The cabin was stocked with all things needed. This has been our favorite vrbo thus far!!!
The place was perfect. A cozy “cottage” with so much character. It was exactly what we needed. Our grown kids came each day and we were very pleased at the amount of utensils, pans, dishes etc for cooking. We spent most of our time just being together. The hosts were very responsive to any questions. And take great care of the place!
The Host was wonderful. Responded quickly to questions before we got there. The place was BEAUTIFUL! We hosted a get together dinner for my son, his wife and her family with our family. There was plenty of room, the kitchen perfect for preparing a Ham dinner. We had 11 people there. Christmas morning, my daughter and I sat on the porch, ate breakfast and read. The beds very comfy, and the views of the Potomac as well as the walking trail inviting. I would go back.
The cottage was very comfortable and cozy and had many amenities and special touches to make it very welcoming. It was quiet and peaceful and located within short drives to the Antietam Battlefield and Shepherdstown where we rented bikes for a nice day of biking on the C&O Canal, the focus of our long weekend. We enjoyed the sounds of the Potomac River at the dam and the birds while relaxing on the porch.
We loved this incredible location just off of dam number 4. There is beautiful hiking along the river within a stone’s throw of the porch and the house itself is like a grandmother’s hug.
This house and visit overall was spectacular. Rorke was incredibly responsive, the house was very clean, there were many helpful little notes about the quirks of the house, and the location right on the river could not be more peaceful and ideal.
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.
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!
Our host was amazing. Such a beautiful cottage. Very peaceful and Rourke made our stay so enjoyable. Every amenity you can think of was provided. Thank you!