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 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Primitive | 301 739-4200 | |||||
C&O 173.3 fix milepost | 384 ft |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
C&O 175.3 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 739-4200 | |||||
C&O 179.9 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
C&O 182.8 fix milepost | 0.7 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
C&O 182.8 fix milepost | 3.1 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
C&O 183.4 fix milepost | near Trail |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 777-3472 | |||||
C&O 185.0 fix milepost | 2.8 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 707-7098 | |||||
C&O 185.0 fix milepost | 6.2 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 777-0024 | |||||
GAP 0.1 fix milepost | 1.1 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 777-9622 | |||||
GAP 14.5 fix milepost | 6.5 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 455-7900 | |||||
GAP 15.5 fix milepost | near Trail |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 301 689-6466 | |||||
GAP 15.5 fix milepost | 9.5 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 20.6 fix milepost | 3.3 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 634-5982 | |||||
GAP 31.9 fix milepost | 0.4 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 634-0213 | |||||
GAP 36.6 fix milepost | 9.3 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 238-1200 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 2.4 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 964-0410 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 2.4 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 964-0410 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 2.8 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 926-3200 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 3.5 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 442-1281 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 3.8 mi |
![]() ![]() | Unkown | 412 213-5321 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 4.7 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 926-4636 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 5.4 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 352-7310 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 6.6 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 445-7725 | |||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 7.3 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 61.3 fix milepost | 8.0 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 61.4 fix milepost | 489 ft |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 395-3944 | |||||
GAP 61.4 fix milepost | 8.2 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 395-3528 | |||||
GAP 61.5 fix milepost | 0.3 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 814 395-2474 | |||||
GAP 61.5 fix milepost | 5.1 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 800 472-3846 | |||||
GAP 71.9 fix milepost | 5.7 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 329-4097 | |||||
GAP 71.9 fix milepost | 8.6 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 329-4777 | |||||
GAP 71.9 fix milepost | 8.7 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 72.1 fix milepost | 2.4 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 329-5200 | |||||
GAP 89.0 fix milepost | 10.0 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 89.4 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Primitive | ||||||
GAP 92.2 fix milepost | 479 ft |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 628-4880 | |||||
GAP 92.2 fix milepost | 0.1 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 628-4880 | |||||
GAP 99.6 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Primitive | 724 872-5586 | |||||
GAP 110.2 fix milepost | on Trail |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724-830-3000 | |||||
GAP 110.3 fix milepost | 223 ft |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 114.1 fix milepost | 7.0 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | 724 722-4444 | |||||
GAP 114.3 fix milepost | 0.3 mi |
![]() ![]() | Comm | ||||||
GAP 122.4 fix milepost | near Trail |
![]() ![]() | Primitive | 724-872-5586 | |||||
GAP 122.4 fix milepost | 194 ft |
![]() ![]() | Comm |