Great place to walk, bike or go birding. Great for individuals, groups and families. This is also known to me as Violettes Lock.

Wide gravel path that can accomodate walkers and bikers. Lots of great views of the river, opposite shoreline and plenty of places to go off trail down to the rivers edge.

A few porta-potties are located in the parking lot with approximately 20 or so spaces to park. Cross over the bridge and you can either go left (towards DC) or right (upstream to Riley's Lock.) Going left you will parallel the canal which is great for migratory birds, but not as much for viewing the river. Going right allows you to have multiple views of the river on your left.

If you are driving in from River Road, be careful as there is a blind hill you go over on the entrance road and it can be quite narrow. You cannot see traffic coming from the other direction. Additionally, warm weather will bring out lots of bikers, so if you are walking, just be cognizent of them on the path as well.

It's a great walk, lots to see, enjoy!

The parking lot for this Lock is smaller than that for Seneca Creek Aqueduct (Riley's Lockhouse), but not as torn up. Two poorly maintained Porta Potties and no water fountain, but far easier access to the towpath. It is here that the surface changed from packed, crushed granite (westward) to the original, poorer surface (eastward). You can't lose going either direction! Going East gives you scenes of an almost full canal and the rapids on the Potomac River. To the West, denser forest.

Great views of Potomac river and its bird life, and easy access to C&O tow path. The lock itself is well restored. There are paths alongside the trail to peaceful picnic sites by the rocks. We saw a great blue heron and (we think) a turkey vulture.

Nice walking and biking trails along the Potomac. There are also benches along the way so you can sit and enjoy some water views. Make sure you.have bug spray.

I absolutely love this place. My fiance and I come here to fish mostly but it's got some great places to explore off the trails and it's just a really beautiful and peaceful place to visit. People are always friendly and courteous of what the others are doing. Rather it be bike riding, bird watching or fishing you will definitely enjoy your time spent here.