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This is a great camping trip because of the “hiker-biker” campsites along the C&O canal and the primitive camping at several points along the GAP. These trailside sites offer primitive camping (pump, chemical toilet, picnic table) shared with other hikers and bikers. They are located about every 5 to 10 miles from Swains Lock (C&O 16.7) to Cumberland (C&O 184.5) and at a few locations on the GAP. Water is from wells; at the Hiker-Biker sites, if the weekly test is suspect the NPS removes the pump handle, so carry plenty of water. These campsites are not accessible by car. Do not plan to use them unless you’re carrying all your camping gear on your bikes. If you have more than 6-8 people or 4 tents in your party, don’t count on using C&O Hiker-Bikers.
There are also car-accessible sites. The C&O canal offers primitive drive-in and walk-in sites (some without water). The walk-in sites are close to parking areas. In addition to the C&O sites, there are public campgrounds at Ft Frederick (C&O 112) and Confluence (Yough Dam Outflow, GAP 62). Several commercial campgrounds are located near the trail. Get directions to the campground when you make reservations. Be sure to ask for directions for biking from the trail, not for driving directions from the highway.
Our focus is on self-supported camping; these campgrounds are within easy biking distance of the trail (or the winter Savage Tunnel detour). Some are seasonal, others may be temporarily closed, so check on availability while you’re planning. Campsites marked “primitive, no cars” have no automobile access; these are for self-contained touring only. Numerous other campgrounds offer facilities for people who’re driving, but our emphasis here is on self-supported camping. We are not personally familiar with most of the campgrounds. We present this information as a service; it is not a review or recommendation.
For current, more detailed information see the
Allegheny Trail Alliance
website
.
|
Trail, MP |
Name |
Dist From Tr |
Type |
Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C&O 11.5 | Marsden Tract Group Camp | Beside trail | Primitive | 301-767-3731 |
| C&O 16.6 | Swains Lock Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 26.0 | Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 30.5 | Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 34.4 | Turtle Run Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 38.2 | Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 42.4 | Indian Flats Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 47.6 | Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 50.3 | Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 54.0 | Brunswick Family Campground | Beside trail | Public developed | 301-834-8050 |
| C&O 59.6 | Harpers Ferry Hostel (uphill) | 0.3 mi SE | Tents at hostel | 301-834-7652 |
| C&O 62.9 | Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 69.4 | Antietam Walk-in Camp | Beside trail | NPS primitive | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 75.3 | Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 79.9 | Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 82.5 | Big Woods Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 88.1 | McMahon’s Mill Campground | On detour | Commercial | 301-223-8778 |
| C&O 90.9 | Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 95.2 | Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 99.4 | Yogi Bear Jellystone Ground | 3 mi SE | Commercial | 800-421-7116 |
| C&O 99.4 | KOA Snug Harbor | 2.5 mi NE | Commercial | 301-223-7571 |
| C&O 101.3 | Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 110.0 | North Mountain Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 110.4 | McCoy’s Ferry Drive-in Camp | 0.1 mi | NPS primitive | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 112.4 | Ft Frederick State Park | 0.25 mi W | Public developed | 301-842-2155 |
| C&O 116.0 | Licking Creek Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 120.4 | Little Pool Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 126.4 | White Rock Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 129.2 | Happy Hills Campground (steep) | 1 mi N | Commercial | 301-678-7760 |
| C&O 129.8 | Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 133.6 | Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 139.2 | Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 140.8 | Little Orleans Campground | 1.5 mi W | Commercial | 301-478-2325 |
| C&O 140.8 | 15 Mile Ck Drive-in & grp tent | Beside trail | NPS primitive | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 144.5 | Devils Alley Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 149.4 | Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 154.1 | Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 156.2 | Paw Paw Walk-in Camp | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 156.9 | Purslane Run Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 162.1 | Town Creek Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 164.8 | Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 169.2 | Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 173.3 | Spring Gap Drive-in Camp | Beside trail | NPS primitive | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 175.4 | Iron Mountain Hiker-Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| C&O 180.0 | Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker (noise) | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 301-739-4200 |
| GAP 0 | Cumberland YMCA (train noise) | 1.1 Mile N | Commercial | 301 777-9622 |
| GAP 15 | Trail Inn Campground | Up to F’bg | Commercial | 301-689-6466 |
| GAP 24 | Mason-Dixon Campground | On detour | Commercial | 814-634-5982 |
| GAP 43 | Husky Haven Campground | Beside trail | Commercial | 814-926-2024 |
| GAP 62 | Outflow Camping @ Yough Dam | 0.2 mi S | Hiker-biker area | 814-395-3944 |
| GAP 62 | Paddler’s Lane Camp | 2 mi N | Commercial | 814-395-9555 |
| GAP 62 | Suder’s Family Campground | 2 mi S | Commercial | 814-926-5396 |
| GAP 72 | Ohiopyle State Pk (up big hill) | Above trail | Public developed | 724-329-8591 |
| GAP 88 | Connellsville North Trailhead | Beside trail | Primitive | |
| GAP 92 | Rivers Edge Campground | Beside trail | Commercial | 724-628-4880 |
| GAP 100 | Round Bottom Hiker Biker | Beside trail | Primitive, no cars | 724-872-5586 |
| GAP 101 | Hazelbaker’s Campground | 1 mi X river | Commercial, primitive | 724-736-8155 |
| GAP 110 | Cedar Creek Hiker Biker | Beside trail | Primitive | 724-872-5586 |
| GAP 122 | Dravo's Landing Camping | 0.1 mi | Primitive, no cars | 724-872-5586 |
Organized Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups (only) may get permits to camp in town parks at Williamsport, MD (C&O 100, call 301-223-7711) and Hancock MD (C&O 124, call 301-678-5622).
Organized groups sponsored by nonprofit organizations may get permits to camp at the Marsden Tract (C&O 11.6, call 301-767-3731) and at Cedar Creek Park (GAP 110, call 724-830-3950).
Group camping at Dravo's Landing (GAP 122) and Round Bottom (GAP 100) requires permit (free, call 724-872-5586).
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