Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park | LOCK 47

Downstream view of Lock 47 at Mile 108.8 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Downstream view of Lock 47 at Mile 108.8 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath


Lock 47 is located at Mile 108.8 on the C&O Canal towpath. It is a short walk from the parking area at Lock and Lockhouse 49. See the Locks and Lockhouses web page for an interactive location map.


Lock 47 is one of the Four Locks on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal that are located near Clear Spring, Maryland. It and Locks 50, 49, and 48 are all within a short walk of each other. In fact, all four locks can be seen from Lockhouse 49. There is a small parking area at the house, but keep in mind that this lockhouse can be rented for overnight stays, so these spots may be taken by guests. There is a larger parking lot at the end of Starliper Road that is used for the adjacent Four Locks Picnic Area and Boat Ramp.

The construction of the Four Locks allowed the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to cut across a peninsula of land called Prather’s Neck instead of following the Potomac River, a savings of roughly 3.5 miles. Just picture the state of Florida, and instead of following the entire coast to get from Tampa to Jacksonville, you cut straight across the interior of the state.

Downstream end of Lock 47 at Mile 108.8 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

Downstream end of Lock 47 at Mile 108.8 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

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Last updated on June 20, 2024
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