Camping is allowed only in designated sites. All of our campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis, except for Marsden Tract Camping, which is a reservation only group campsite.  One family or camping unit is allowed for each site. The park defines family as one head of household and immediate family. A camping unit consists of a non-family group of up to eight people. Campsites (except Marsden Tract) may not be reserved in any manner. Abandoned or unattended personal property may be impounded. Campsites and/or camping facilities may not be transferred to another person or group. When a camper or group leaves the camping area, all equipment must be removed. Parking trailers and pitching tents or other equipment are permitted only at designated sites. Trailer length in drive-in campgrounds may not exceed 20 feet. All wheeled vehicles, except wheelchairs and bikes, must be kept off the grass. As in all park areas, pets at campsites must be on a leash or under other physical control at all times. For the comfort of others, quiet is required in campgrounds between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Fires are restricted to the grills and fire rings provided or to portable grills positioned off the ground. Coals must be extinguished and removed from the park. Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground but for use in campgrounds only. Do not remove wood from the campground. Chain saws, lawn mowers, and other portable engines may not be used in the park except by permit. For the protection of drinking water, campers may not wash dishes, bathe, or clean fish near wells. Draining or dumping refuse or body wastes from trailers or other vehicles is prohibited. Water is turned off from November 15 to April 10 each year.

Hiker-Biker Campgrounds (No fee charged)

There are 30 hiker-biker campgrounds located along the canal. There is no fee charged for use of these campsites. Stay is limited to one night per site, per trip. All sites have a chemical toilet, water, a picnic table, and grill.  Please Note: Potable water may not be available at each campsite.  Please plan to have water purification tablets with you.

Mile 16.6 Swains Lock
Mile 26.1 Horsepen Branch
Mile 30.5 Chisel Branch
Mile 34.4 Turtle run
Mile 38.2 Marble Quarry
Mile 42.5 Indian Flats
Mile 47.6 Calico Rocks
Mile 50.3 Bald eagle Island
Mile 62.9 Huckleberry Hill
Mile 75.2 Killiansburg Cave
Mile 79.2 Horseshoe Bend
Mile 82.7 Big Woods
Mile 90.9 Opequon Junction
Mile 95.2 Cumberland Valley
Mile 101.2 Jordan Junction
Mile 110 North Mountain
Mile 116 Licking Creek
Mile 120.6 Little Pool
Mile 129.9 Leopards Mill
Mile 133.6 Cacapon Junction
Mile 139.2 Indigo Neck
Mile 144.5 Devils Alley
Mile 149.4 Stickpile Hill
Mile 154.1 Sorrel Ridge
Mile 157.4 Purslane Run
Mile 162.1 Town Creek
Mile 164.8 Potomac Forks
Mile 169.1 Pigmans Ferry
Mile 175.3 Irons Mountain
Mile 180.1 Evitts Creek

Drive-in Campgrounds (Fee Charged)

There are five drive-in campsites along the C&O Canal. Antietam Creek and Paw Paw have adjacent parking, but visitors cannot park at the actual campsite. Recreational vehicles are allowed only at McCoys Ferry, Fifteen Mile Creek, and Spring Gap campgrounds.

The fee for drive-in campsites is $10 per night. Holders of Golden Access or Golden Age Passports are entitled to a 50% discount. These sites have primitive facilities only. There are no RV hookups. Drive-in campsites are equipped with grills, chemical toilets, and water. Stay is limited to 14 days between May 1 and October 1. Stay is limited to a total of 30 days for the entire calendar year. There is a limit of eight people per site. Groups with more than eight people need to use the group campsites or register for more than one site in the campground.

Drive-in Campgrounds

• Mile 69.7 Antietam creek
• Mile 110.4 McCoys Ferry
• Mile 140.9 Fifteenmile Creek
• Mile 156.1 Paw Paw
• Mile 173.3 Spring Gap

Group Campsites (Fee Charged)

There are two group campsites located along the C&O Canal. These campsites are designed for groups of 35 people or fewer. The fee for a group site is $20 per night.

·      Marsden Tract is located at Mile 11 and is reserved for civic and scout organizations. An advance permit is required. A permit can be obtained by calling the Great Falls Fee Office at (301) 767-3731. There is no parking available at Marsden Tract and overnight parking is permitted ONLY at Great Falls (entrance fee charged), Angler’s Inn or Carderock Recreation Area.

·      The Fifteenmile Creek group campsite is located at Mile 141 and is adjacent to the Fifteenmile Creek Drive-in campground. The group campsite is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Two youth hostels located near the canal provide outdoor travelers with dormitory accommodations and cooking facilities for inexpensive overnight lodging: Mile 0 Washington International Youth Hostel, 250 beds (202)737-2333.  Mile 59 Harpers Ferry Youth Hostel, 40 beds (301)834-7652.