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 0.0 fix milepost' | 6.8 mi |
service
Fort Circle Park Hiker Biker Trail | Primitive | ||||||
| C&O 8.4 fix milepost' | 5.6 mi |
service
Robert C Mc Donell Campground | Comm | 301 495-2525 | |||||
| C&O 10.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Marsden Tract Group Campground | Group | 301-299-3613 | |||||
| C&O 16.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Swains Lock Hiker Biker | Drive-in | 301 739-4200 | |||||
| C&O 26.1 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Horsepen Branch Hiker Biker | Comm | 301 739-4200 | |||||
| C&O 30.5 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Chisel Branch Hiker Biker | Primitive | ||||||
| C&O 34.4 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Turtle Run Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 35.7 fix milepost' | 8.4 mi |
service
Jack Mehlberg Playing Space | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 38.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Marble Quarry Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 42.5 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Indian Flats Hiker Biker | Primitive | 301 714-2201 | |||||
| C&O 47.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Calico Rocks Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 48.2 fix milepost' | 5.9 mi |
service
Frederick County 4-H Camp & Activities Center, Inc. | Comm | 301 662-0929 | |||||
| C&O 50.3 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Bald Eagle Island Hiker Biker | Comm | 301 767-3714 | |||||
| C&O 53.9 fix milepost' | 0.1 mi |
service
Brunswick Family Campground | Comm | 301 834-9952 | |||||
| C&O 55.0 fix milepost' | 3.7 mi |
service
Camp Loudoun | Comm | 703 431-9449 | |||||
| C&O 58.1 fix milepost' | 2.5 mi |
service
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center | Comm | 540 668-9007 | |||||
| C&O 58.1 fix milepost' | 4.5 mi |
service
Blue Ridge Center For Environmental Stewardship | Comm | 540 668-7640 | |||||
| C&O 60.7 fix milepost' | 3.1 mi |
service
Harpers Ferry KOA | Comm | 800 562-9497 | |||||
| C&O 60.7 fix milepost' | 4.4 mi |
service
AT Campsite | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 60.7 fix milepost' | 9.4 mi |
service
David Lesser Memorial Shelter | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 61.0 fix milepost' | 2.5 mi |
service
Harpers Ferry Campground | Comm | 304 535-2663 | |||||
| C&O 61.0 fix milepost' | 4.7 mi |
service
River Riders | Primitive | 304 535-2663 | |||||
| C&O 62.9 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Huckleberry Hill Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 69.4 fix milepost' | 7.9 mi |
service
Greener Pastures Family Farm | Comm | 240 447-5115 | |||||
| C&O 69.6 fix milepost' | 0.3 mi |
service
Antietam Creek Hiker Biker | Drive-in | 301 432-6110 | |||||
| C&O 69.6 fix milepost' | 8.9 mi |
service
Treehouse Camp At Maple Tree | Comm | 301 432-5585 | |||||
| C&O 72.8 fix milepost' | 6.4 mi |
service
The Compound: Historic Nature Preserve Park | Comm | 304 279-9299 | |||||
| C&O 75.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Killiansburg Cave Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 76.8 fix milepost' | 3.2 mi |
service
Rohrbach Scout Campground | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 79.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Horseshoe Bend Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 80.9 fix milepost' | 4.8 mi |
service
Woodmen of the World Campground Lodge # 1 | Comm | 301 582-3447 | |||||
| C&O 82.7 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Big Woods Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 88.0 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
C.O Canal Kiwiet | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 88.0 fix milepost' | 0.4 mi |
service
Mulehalla | Comm | 301 582-2800 | |||||
| C&O 90.9 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Opequon Junction Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 94.8 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Cumberland Valley Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 98.9 fix milepost' | 2.1 mi |
service
Yogi Bear | Comm | 301 223-7117 | |||||
| C&O 98.9 fix milepost' | 2.5 mi |
service
Safari Campground | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 99.5 fix milepost' | 4.0 mi |
service
Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA Holiday | Comm | 301 223-7571 | |||||
| C&O 99.5 fix milepost' | 6.9 mi |
service
River Bend Membership Corporation | Comm | 304 274-2811 | |||||
| C&O 99.7 fix milepost' | 5.1 mi |
service
Leatherman's/Falling Waters Campsite | Comm | 304 274-2791 | |||||
| C&O 99.7 fix milepost' | 5.1 mi |
service
Hitch USA | Comm | 304 274-0600 | |||||
| C&O 99.7 fix milepost' | 5.3 mi |
service
Falling Waters River Lots | Comm | 304 676-1000 | |||||
| C&O 101.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Jordan Junction Hiker Biker Campsite | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 109.9 fix milepost' | 226 ft |
service
McCoys Ferry Campground | Drive-in | ||||||
| C&O 110.0 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
North Mountain Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 111.9 fix milepost' | 0.6 mi |
service
Fort Fredrick Campground | Drive-in | ||||||
| C&O 116.0 fix milepost' | 144 ft |
service
Licking Creek Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 120.6 fix milepost' | 0.3 mi |
service
Little Pool Hiker Biker | Comm | 301 739-4200 | |||||
| C&O 124.0 fix milepost' | 0.5 mi |
service
C&O Bicycle & Bunkhouse | Comm | 301 678-6665 | |||||
| C&O 124.4 fix milepost' | 6.7 mi |
service
Happy Hills Campground | Comm | 301 678-7760 | |||||
| C&O 126.4 fix milepost' | 0.5 mi |
service
White Rock Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 129.9 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Leopards Mill Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 133.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Cacapon Junction Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 139.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Indigo Neck Hiker Biker | Comm | 301 739-4200 | |||||
| C&O 140.8 fix milepost' | 1.0 mi |
service
Little Orleans Campground | Comm | 301 478-2325 | |||||
| C&O 140.8 fix milepost' | 9.9 mi |
service
Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary | Comm | 814 784-3080 | |||||
| C&O 141.0 fix milepost' | 312 ft |
service
15 Mile Creek Campground | Drive-in | ||||||
| C&O 143.4 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Devils Alley Campground | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 149.4 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Stickpile Hill Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 150.0 fix milepost' | 0.1 mi |
service
Bond's Landing | Drive-in | ||||||
| C&O 150.0 fix milepost' | 5.0 mi |
service
Green Ridge Forest Site 66 | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 154.1 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Sorrel Ridge Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 155.8 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Paw Paw Tunnel Campground | Drive-in | ||||||
| C&O 156.2 fix milepost' | 8.2 mi |
service
Avalon Resort | Comm | 304 947-5600 | |||||
| C&O 156.2 fix milepost' | 8.6 mi |
service
Stoney Creek Country Store | Comm | 304 947-5152 | |||||
| C&O 156.2 fix milepost' | 8.6 mi |
service
Stoney Creek Campground | Comm | 703 229-1139 | |||||
| C&O 157.4 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Purslane Run Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 162.1 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Town Creek Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 164.8 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Potomac Forks Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 166.7 fix milepost' | 0.3 mi |
service
Schoolhouse Kitchen | Primitive | 301 478-5189 | |||||
| C&O 169.2 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Pigmans Ferry Hiker Biker | Primitive | 301 739-4200 | |||||
| C&O 173.3 fix milepost' | near Trail |
service
Spring Gap Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 175.3 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Irons Mountain Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 180.1 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Evitts Creek Hiker Biker | Comm | ||||||
| C&O 182.6 fix milepost' | 8.7 mi |
service
Eagle's Nest Campground | Comm | 304 298-4380 | |||||
| C&O 182.9 fix milepost' | near Trail |
service
Hillcrest River Kampground | Comm | 301 777-3472 | |||||
| GAP 0.1 fix milepost' | 6.2 mi |
service
Union Grove Campground | Comm | 301 777-0024 | |||||
| GAP 0.7 fix milepost' | 1.1 mi |
service
Cumberland YMCA (Riverside) (train noise) | 301 777-9622 | ||||||
| GAP 20.6 fix milepost' | near Trail |
service
Trail Inn Lodging & Campground | Comm | 301 689-6466 | |||||
| GAP 24.0 fix milepost' | 3.3 mi |
service
Mason Dixon Campground | Comm | 814 634-5982 | |||||
| GAP 31.9 fix milepost' | 0.4 mi |
service
Festival Park Campground | Comm | 814 634-0213 | |||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 4.5 mi |
service
Hickory Hollow Campground | Comm | 814 926-4636 | |||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 5.0 mi |
service
Posey Corners Campground | Comm | 814 442-1281 | |||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 6.6 mi |
service
Lost Mountain Campground | Comm | 814 352-7310 | |||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 7.7 mi |
service
Laurel Hill State Park Camp Ground | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 8.5 mi |
service
Laurel Hills State Park, Group Camps | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 43.8 fix milepost' | 9.7 mi |
service
Pioneer Park Campground | Comm | 814 445-6348 | |||||
| GAP 43.9 fix milepost' | 6.9 mi |
service
Scottyland Camping Resort Center | Comm | 814 926-3200 | |||||
| GAP 43.9 fix milepost' | 7.0 mi |
service
Scottyland Campground | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 59.0 fix milepost' | 7.2 mi |
service
Somerfield Beach Campground (seasonal - no weekly / weekend rentals) | Comm | 814 395-3528 | |||||
| GAP 61.2 fix milepost' | 2.3 mi |
service
Paddler's Lane Retreat B&B | Comm | 814 964-0410 | |||||
| GAP 61.4 fix milepost' | 525 ft |
service
Outflow Camping Area | Comm | 814 395-3944 | |||||
| GAP 61.7 fix milepost' | 440 ft |
service
Wendy world Bunkhouse | Comm | 814 395-2474 | |||||
| GAP 65.9 fix milepost' | 0.8 mi |
service
Yough Lake Campground | Comm | 800 472-3846 | |||||
| GAP 71.9 fix milepost' | 2.5 mi |
service
Scarlett Knob Campground | Comm | 724 329-5200 | |||||
| GAP 71.9 fix milepost' | 5.7 mi |
service
Benner's Meadow Run Camping & Cabins | Comm | 724 329-4097 | |||||
| GAP 71.9 fix milepost' | 6.9 mi |
service
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ | Comm | 724 455-2929 | |||||
| GAP 71.9 fix milepost' | 8.6 mi |
service
Tall Oaks Campground | Comm | 724 329-4777 | |||||
| GAP 71.9 fix milepost' | 8.8 mi |
service
Camp Christian | Group | 724 455-2700 | |||||
| GAP 88.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Connellsville Adirondack shelters | Primitive | ||||||
| GAP 88.7 fix milepost' | 8.3 mi |
service
Indian Creek Camplands Inc | Comm | 724 455-7900 | |||||
| GAP 88.7 fix milepost' | 9.7 mi |
service
Hemlock Hideaway Campground | Comm | 724 455-7700 | |||||
| GAP 92.2 fix milepost' | 479 ft |
service
Uniontown / Adelaide KOA Campground | Comm | 724 628-4880 | |||||
| GAP 99.6 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Roundbottom Primative Camping area | Comm | 724 872-5586 | |||||
| GAP 109.9 fix milepost' | on Trail |
service
Cedar Creek Trekker Campground | Comm | 724-830-3000 | |||||
| GAP 110.3 fix milepost' | 223 ft |
service
Cedar Creek Park Scout Camping Area | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 114.0 fix milepost' | 0.2 mi |
service
Gap Trail Campground LLC | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 114.1 fix milepost' | 8.0 mi |
service
Madison / Pittsburgh S.E. KOA | Comm | 724 722-4444 | |||||
| GAP 121.6 fix milepost' | near Trail |
service
Dravo landing / Apache Springs Campground | Primitive | 724-872-5586 | |||||
| GAP 121.6 fix milepost' | 194 ft |
service
Queen Aliquippa Camp | Comm | ||||||
| GAP 128.3 fix milepost' | 0.3 mi |
service
Yough Shore Inn | Comm | 412 754-0440 |