Facility Overview

Situated along Mile Marker 108.9 of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Four Locks Parking serves as a primary recreational and heritage gateway in rural Clear Spring, Maryland. This open-air surface parking facility accommodates outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and boaters seeking direct access to the historic C&O Canal towpath and the upper Potomac River. The lot features an open gravel-and-paved footprint adjacent to the riverbank and the preserved 19th-century canal structures. Standard passenger vehicles, crossover SUVs, and pickup trucks can maneuver through the area without issue. However, drivers of high-profile vehicles, motorhomes, lifted overland rigs, and large fifth-wheel trailers must exercise caution: access via Starliper Road routes through a historic stone culvert underpass with an approximate 10-foot vertical clearance limit and a sharp turn approach, making it unsuitable for oversized commercial haulers and extra-tall recreational vehicles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Four Locks Parking is nestled directly within the Four Locks Historic District, a unique stretch where Locks 47, 48, 49, and 50 were constructed closely together between 1836 and 1839 to cut across Prather's Neck and bypass an extensive bend in the Potomac River. Notable destinations directly accessible on foot or by short vehicle trip include:

• C&O Canal Towpath & Locks 47–50: Located immediate steps from the parking lot, visitors can walk among the preserved limestone lock walls, historic mule barn remnants, and the canal watch house.
• Lockhouse 49 (Canal Quarters): Positioned approximately 0.1 miles from the lot, this restored historic lockhouse offers visitors a living-history glimpse and overnight stays through the C&O Canal Trust Canal Quarters program.
• Four Locks Boat Ramp & Potomac River: Directly adjacent to the parking area, providing a public launch point for kayaks, canoes, jon boats, and fishing vessels exploring the tranquil waters of the Potomac.
• Four Locks Picnic Grounds: Situated within 100 yards, featuring shaded picnic tables, charcoal grills, and serene riverbank vistas.
• Dam No. 5 & Fort Frederick State Park: Located a brief drive or bike ride away (Dam No. 5 is near Mile 106, while Fort Frederick State Park's stone fort is reachable around Mile 112 via the towpath or MD-56).
• Town of Clear Spring: Approximately 5 miles north via Big Spring Road (MD-56), offering local diners, gas stations, country grocers, and convenience shopping.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Reaching Four Locks Parking is straightforward from regional highway arteries. Motorists typically travel along Interstate 70, taking Exit 18 for MD-68 toward Clear Spring, transitioning onto MD-56 West (Big Spring Road), turning onto Four Locks Road, and bearing right onto Starliper Road. Starliper Road directs vehicles through the narrow culvert tunnel beneath the canal embankment straight into the riverfront parking turnaround. Ingress and egress are generally calm and uncrowded, though sunny summer weekends and peak fishing periods can see increased traffic near the boat slip. Public mass transit is not available in this secluded rural pocket; private personal vehicles, bicycles, and trail transit are the standard modes of arrival.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Lot: Level ground layout with ample space for standard personal cars, SUVs, and boat trailers.
• Potomac River Boat Ramp: Modern reinforced boat ramp with an ADA-accessible floating dock for seamless watercraft launching.
• On-Site Restroom: Permanent chemical vault toilet facilities accessible year-round adjacent to the lot.
• Picnic Infrastructure: Multiple outdoor picnic tables and fixed park grills scattered along shaded riverbank lawns.
• Direct Trail Connections: Immediate step-free access to the C&O Canal Towpath multi-use trail for long-distance hikers and gravel cyclists.
• Public Free Access: Maintained under National Park Service jurisdiction with no daily entrance or parking pass fees required.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces near the river launch and primary amenities.

Ideal For

• C&O Canal Thru-Hikers & Cyclists: Excellent staging and trailhead location for short loops or extended multi-day touring along the towpath.
• Boaters, Kayakers & Anglers: Prime launching location for small powerboats, kayaks, and canoes seeking bass and catfish fishing on the upper Potomac River.
• Heritage & Architecture Enthusiasts: Convenient parking for visitors exploring the limestone engineering of Locks 47 through 50 and the rural canal hamlet ruins.
• Families & Day Picnickers: Relaxing scenic grounds offering shaded tables and open water views for casual afternoon gatherings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Before traveling to Four Locks Parking, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Check the 10-Foot Culvert Clearance: Ensure your vehicle, roof racks, and trailered watercraft can safely clear the 10-foot underpass tunnel on Starliper Road before committing to the approach, as turning around on the narrow approach road is difficult.
• Mind Overnight Towpath Regulations: National Park Service guidelines permit overnight parking in designated lots along the canal; travelers leaving vehicles for multi-day bike treks should leave contact and trip details visible or notify park dispatch if planning extended stays.
• Practice Leave No Trace: Four Locks is a trash-free, pack-it-in, pack-it-out park area. Bring disposal bags to carry all refuse back with you.
• Seasonal Conditions: The Potomac River can experience seasonal cresting and debris build-up after heavy regional rainfall; inspect river conditions and the National Park Service alerts page before launching watercraft.