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