Campsites along the C&O/GAP

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 information on the campsites on the GAP trail, see Great Allegheny Passage.
For current, more information on the campsites on the C&O, see National Park Service. For an interactive map and historical information about each site, see C & O Canal Trust.

trail MP  Distance  Name  Type  Phone 
C&O 169.2 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit Pigmans Ferry Hiker Biker   Primitive  301 739-4200 
C&O 173.3 fix milepost  384 ft   edit service map Edit Spring Gap Hiker Biker   Comm   
C&O 175.3 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit Irons Mountain Campsite   Comm  301 739-4200 
C&O 179.9 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit Evitts Creek Campsite   Comm   
C&O 182.8 fix milepost  0.7 mi   edit service map Edit Rivers edge campground on the Potomac   Comm   
C&O 182.8 fix milepost  3.1 mi   edit service map Edit Rivers Edge on the Potomac Campground   Comm   
C&O 183.4 fix milepost  near Trail   edit service map Edit (1) HILLCREST RIVER CAMPGROUND (2) CANAL TUNNEL RIVER CAMPGROUND   Comm  301 777-3472 
C&O 185.0 fix milepost  2.8 mi   edit service map Edit Hillcrest campground area 1   Comm  301 707-7098 
C&O 185.0 fix milepost  6.2 mi   edit service map Edit Union Grove Campground   Comm  301 777-0024 
GAP 0.1 fix milepost  1.1 mi   edit service map Edit Cumberland YMCA (Riverside) (train noise)   Comm  301 777-9622 
GAP 14.5 fix milepost  6.5 mi   edit service map Edit Indian Creek Camplands Inc   Comm  724 455-7900 
GAP 15.5 fix milepost  near Trail   edit service map Edit Trail Inn Lodging & Campground   Comm  301 689-6466 
GAP 15.5 fix milepost  9.5 mi   edit service map Edit Dan's Mountain Campground   Comm   
GAP 20.6 fix milepost  3.3 mi   edit service map Edit Mason-Dixon Campground   Comm  814 634-5982 
GAP 31.9 fix milepost  0.4 mi   edit service map Edit Festival Park Campground   Comm  814 634-0213 
GAP 36.6 fix milepost  9.3 mi   edit service map Edit Forbes State Forest Motorized Site 6   Comm  724 238-1200 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  2.4 mi   edit service map Edit Paddler's Lane Retreat   Comm  814 964-0410 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  2.4 mi   edit service map Edit Paddler's Lane Campground   Comm  814 964-0410 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  2.8 mi   edit service map Edit Scottyland   Comm  814 926-3200 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  3.5 mi   edit service map Edit Posey Corners Campground   Comm  814 442-1281 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  3.8 mi   edit service map Edit Camp T. Frank Soles   Unkown  412 213-5321 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  4.7 mi   edit service map Edit Hickory Hollow Campground   Comm  814 926-4636 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  5.4 mi   edit service map Edit Lost Mountain Campground   Comm  814 352-7310 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  6.6 mi   edit service map Edit Laurel Hill State Park Campground   Comm  814 445-7725 
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  7.3 mi   edit service map Edit Laurel Hill State Park, Group Camp 1   Comm   
GAP 61.3 fix milepost  8.0 mi   edit service map Edit Camp Ground   Comm   
GAP 61.4 fix milepost  489 ft   edit service map Edit Outflow Campground   Comm  814 395-3944 
GAP 61.4 fix milepost  8.2 mi   edit service map Edit Somerfield Beach Campground (seasonal - no weekly / weekend rentals)   Comm  814 395-3528 
GAP 61.5 fix milepost  0.3 mi   edit service map Edit Wendy World Campground   Comm  814 395-2474 
GAP 61.5 fix milepost  5.1 mi   edit service map Edit Yough Lake Campground   Comm  800 472-3846 
GAP 71.9 fix milepost  5.7 mi   edit service map Edit Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground   Comm  724 329-4097 
GAP 71.9 fix milepost  8.6 mi   edit service map Edit Tall Oaks Campground   Comm  724 329-4777 
GAP 71.9 fix milepost  8.7 mi   edit service map Edit Conservatory Tent   Comm   
GAP 72.1 fix milepost  2.4 mi   edit service map Edit Scarlett Knob Campground Inc   Comm  724 329-5200 
GAP 89.0 fix milepost  10.0 mi   edit service map Edit Mill Run Recreation Area   Comm   
GAP 89.4 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit Stewart's Crossing Campground & Adirondack Shelters   Primitive   
GAP 92.2 fix milepost  479 ft   edit service map Edit Uniontown / Adelaide KOA Campground   Comm  724 628-4880 
GAP 92.2 fix milepost  0.1 mi   edit service map Edit The Blue Canoe RV Resort   Comm  724 628-4880 
GAP 99.6 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit RoundBottom hiker-biker Campground   Primitive  724 872-5586 
GAP 110.2 fix milepost  on Trail   edit service map Edit Cedar Creek Trekker Campground   Comm  724-830-3000 
GAP 110.3 fix milepost  223 ft   edit service map Edit Cedar Creek Park Scout Camping Area   Comm   
GAP 114.1 fix milepost  7.0 mi   edit service map Edit Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA Journey   Comm  724 722-4444 
GAP 114.3 fix milepost  0.3 mi   edit service map Edit Gap Trail Campground LLC   Comm   
GAP 122.4 fix milepost  near Trail   edit service map Edit Dravo's Landing Camping Area   Primitive  724-872-5586 
GAP 122.4 fix milepost  194 ft   edit service map Edit Queen Aliquippa Camp   Comm