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The best camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park adventure.

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Community favorites near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

96%
(823)

Bears Den Campground

5 sites ¡ Tents66 acres ¡ Bluemont, VA
Set up your tent in our remote but easily accessible campground, 100 yards off the Appalachian Trail. Roast marshmallows by the fire pit and watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley.  Individual site capacities are varied! Please take note of this when selecting your site upon checkout.  Site #1 is on a hilly slope and accommodates 4 campersSite #2 accommodates 8-10 campersSite #3 accommodates 4 campersSite #4 accommodates 6-8 campersSite #5 accommodates 6-8 campers   About the property Located on a 66-acre plot just five miles from the Shenandoah River, our property offers amazing access to hiking and the outdoors while also keeping civilization within striking distance. Bear Chase Brewery is just a half mile walk across the street, and we are 15 miles from Purcellville.  The land and lodge used to be the summer home of a trained opera singer, whose singing could be heard throughout the mountain.  Your Host lives onsite in the stone house that also acts as a hostel for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Built in the 1930's all from locally sourced hand-hammered stone, the house is open every night from 5pm - 9pm.  Note that we offer several campsites relatively close to each other, so you should expect to see and hear other campers on the property during your stay.  About the listing Pitch your tent in a forested area just a short walk up from where you’ll park your car. Enjoy unbeatable proximity to hiking and panoramic views while still having basic amenities that ensure a comfortable stay.  You’ll have access to a composting pit toilet, and can access potable water from the tap in the lodge. That’s also where you can access hot showers. As noted above, we host Appalachian Trail thru hikers on the property, so you may see them hanging around or sleeping in the bunkhouse near the shared facilities.  For meals, we have picnic tables, and you are encouraged to cook over the fire pits that accompany each site. Please practice Leave No Trace practices during your stay, as the property has raccoons and other critters who will be drawn to any food scraps that are left behind.   Pets are allowed! Please keep them on leash during your stay.   Trash can be disposed of in the bins onsite.  Additional details to note Expect to see and hear other campers on the property during your stay. No kitchen equipment is provided, so campers must bring their own supplies if they'd like to cook. We do not offer WiFi, but there is good cell reception for all common carriers.
from 
$9
 / night
98%
(88)

Taylors Landing Camping Club

9 sites ¡ RVs, Tents42 acres ¡ Sharpsburg, MD
UPON BOOKING PLEASE READ ARRIVAL INSTRUSTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW TO A T ON ARRIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Experience the beauty of this historic property, featuring a mix of woodland, grassy hilltops, and clover filled bottomlands. Come and enjoy the near direct access to the CO Canal Historic Park and Towpath and the kid friendly, serene stretch of the Potomac River we border. Choose from 7 similar sites available for your camping pleasure as well as our Hilltop site for maximum privacy and star gazing potential. The natural Shade/Privacy nooks will keep the midday sun off of tents and the surrounding old growth forest makes for a great hike up to a very accessible and kid friendly cave to explore. Whether you stay for a day or a month, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the tranquil waters of the Potomac River. Throughout the summer, the river offers a user-friendly experience as water levels recede. Embark on float trips, kayaking, excellent fishing, swimming, cave exploring, or visit the historic towns and the Antietam Battlefields nearby for a touch of civilization during your stays. PLEASE READ ARRIVAL INSTRUSTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW TO A T!!!! For biking enthusiasts, challenge yourself on the nearly 3 miles of single-track bike trails on the property. Alternatively, explore the endless miles of easy biking, hiking, and horseback riding (byoh) on the CandO Towpath. Whether looking for adventure or just chill down time, this location is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. PLEASE READ ARRIVAL INSTRUSTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW TO A T!!!!
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$55
 / night
99%
(479)

Sacred Roots Herbal Sanctuary

8 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents32 acres ¡ Shepherdstown, WV
Looking for a personal retreat or get away ? Escape to our beautiful, RUSTIC 32 acre wild homestead / farm. What do we mean by "rustic" ? The camping experience we offer is about unplugging from the modern world , getting back to basics, and re-connecting with the land. Campsites are nestled in the woods. So although your vehicle will be parked within 50 ft or so from site, you cannot pull directly up to the site because of the trees. Feel free to wander through the herb gardens, eat your meals in the garden pavilion (we have picnic tables there and hammocks), get your Zen on in the meditation hut , and stroll through the woodland medicine path where we grow endangered and at at risk plant plants. (Please note that the woodland medicine path goes to seed by the Fall and is usually munched down by the deer by then, but is still a nice short stroll in the woods). We love dogs...but please leave them at home.
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$40
 / night
95%
(20)

Tiny House on the Potomac

1 site ¡ Lodging2 acres ¡ Shepherdstown, WV
We have title records going back to Lord Fairfax for this beautiful land on the Potomac River just a mile from Shepherdstown. The Tiny House was a fishing cabin dating to at least the 1940s. The Main house is a historic stone structure dating to 1815.Learn more about this land:Relax and escape to the peace and quiet by the Potomac River, and wake to beautiful romantic views of the river and mountains in this romantic 200-square foot tiny house situated on 2.5 acres, with 450 feet of river front land. Explore and take advantage of all the activities on the river and surrounding area. Fish, bike, kayak, tube, or just sit by the river and watch the birds and wild life. Sit and read by the river or in the quiet comfort of the house with a bottle of wine on us.
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$95
 / night
97%
(954)

Camp Shenandoah Meadows

11 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents40 acres ¡ Woodstock, VA
We welcome you to our view of the great outdoors. We are 30 minutes from the entrance of the well known Skyline Drive, part of the Shenandoah National Park. We are surrounded by multiple hikes, restaurants, breweries and wineries less than a 30 minute trip! Onsite we have numerous amenities open to all camping guests which include, fish stocked pond, large swimming pool, basketball court, and soccer field. We welcome you to stay with us and enjoy our 40 acre view!  This camp was previously operated as a summer camp for large groups, but will now be open to groups of all sizes including campers throughout the year! This is new for the camp and the new owner, but we’re excited about hosting everyone going forward!Welcome!
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$40
 / night

(Dusk To Dawn) Modern Hippie LLC

4 sites ¡ Tents19 acres ¡ Sharpsburg, MD
Probably the best campsite you’re ever gonna find in the area seriously it is convenient located next to the Antietam Creek that turns into the Potomac river one block away. The only way to get in the property is to walk past the national park district during dusk to dawn hours. Please abide by these rules. It makes it safe for the campers, but if you do not comply, you will not be allowed back and you could be arrested because this is the national park District that you walk past. We do have an easement, but that easement is only allowed Daylight hours. Also there’s a huge mountain next to the property which makes it extremely safe for campers please take what you bring and enjoy other nature.
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$40
 / night
97%
(302)

Mulehalla

13 sites ¡ RVs, Tents28 acres ¡ Williamsport, MD
Right off the C&O canal, Mulehalla offers primitive sites that are both beautiful and private with restrooms available. Firewood available for sale as well.
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$38
 / night
100%
(71)

Compound Campgound

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Kearneysville, WV
Once an active limestone quarry. Hollowed out for accessibility and stone extraction. #CompoundHistoricNaturePreserve #CompoundCampGrounds 10 miles from historic Harper's Ferry and Antietam Battlefield. Close to Hollywood casinoes and horseracing a few minutes to hiking and biking trails. Just a few minutes drive to cherry, apple, and peach orchards.
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$75
 / night
97%
(285)

Down by the River!!!

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents1 acres ¡ Harpers Ferry, WV
Beautiful spot on the Shenandoah River....you will see eagles, deer, ospreys, beaver and numerous other critters. Great fishing, boating and swimming not to mention the views. Lots of local cuisine and pubs. Flea markets and BBQ on the roadside and for those who dare the casino and horse racing!!!... Each site has a picnic table, firepit and pavilion canopies for creature comfort. We do have firewood available along with boat rentals. All boat rentals and firewood are cash only. Please limit glass containers.
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$50
 / night
99%
(116)

Willows Farm

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents165 acres ¡ Union Bridge, MD
Willows Farm is a beautiful 165 acre, regenerative, cattle farm, raising 100% grass finished beef and high quality hay. We are excited to announce that we have our first 100% grass finished beef ready and waiting (May 2023) for your purchase here at the farm. Give Curtis a call at 301.252.1122 or visit our website https://willowsfarmbeef.com to see what we have to offer. Our farm is family owned and operated and is located in the beautiful rolling hills of northeast Frederick County in Union Bridge Maryland, just off route 75 on a quiet, country road. Please note the farm entrance address is 11935 Simpsons Mill Road, Keymar, MD, but the farm is technically located in Union Bridge. Enjoy the peace and quiet of nature and relax near the campfire with your wood fired dinner. This site has electric and water hookup and firewood is available for a small fee. The campsite is situated at the highest point of Willows Farm, offering tranquil farm views, gorgeous mountain vistas and spectacular sunsets. Soak up the beautiful countryside during your stay on the farm and hike our 25 acres of wooded property and chase a few bunnies and spot a herd of deer. Take a brisk walk to the cattle pastures and chat with our curious and friendly Black Angus heifers, Eleni, Lola and Maggie and say hi to our horse Albe. All of the fencing at Willows Farm is electric to keep our cattle and horse in and you will get shocked if you touch it. Please be mindful of this with your pets and children. If you are fortunate enough to have the timing right, you can even watch an airplane take off and land on our farm grass strip — "Willows Landing", which is just to the north (cardinal direction) of the campsite. Just 30 minutes to Gettysburg battlefields, historical downtown Frederick, and many other exciting places for exploration, Willows Farm is a great location for fun! Spend an evening watching Bull riding and barrel racing at J Bar W Ranch just a few minutes down the street in Johnsville. If vineyards and breweries are your thing we are just 15 - 30 minutes from many fine establishments. A few of our favorites are Black Ankle Vineyards, Linganore Winecellars and Attaboy Beer. Antique shopping abounds in the nearby charming, little town of New Market. So you're hungry and have a hankering for local cuisine? Take a five minute drive to the quaint downtown of Union Bridge and visit one of the three delicious family run restaurants. You can even take a few minutes to give your truck a bath at the Union Bridge Car Wash in the middle of town. Enjoy your stay and please contact us if we can help with anything.
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$29
 / night
95%
(49)

Smith Ridge Harper's Ferry

5 sites ¡ Tents5 acres ¡ Bolivar, WV
Surrounded by tall Oak and Poplar trees 1mile off the Appalachian trail. Cars do fine driving into the spot to park. There is some wood around to burn to forage for. Lots of trails l, breweries, wineries, rivers and such nearby. This is not good for toddlers but kids 6 and up will be fine. Thank you and enjoy
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$45
 / night
98%
(22)

C and O Camping Club

1 site ¡ Tent8 acres ¡ Williamsport, MD
This beautiful campsite is nestled in the forest and borders the C and O Canal. Located near the midpoint of the canal, it is a great staging area for biking to Harpers Ferry, Shepardstown, or Williamsport. The site is flat and large enough for the whole family. A designated fire pit, picnic table, hand washing station, and portable toilet are on site. The site is a short walk to the Potomac River, it is not directly on the river. We offer cruiser bike rentals for easy riding. For history enthusiasts; we are 28 minutes from Antietam National Battlefield, 30 minutes from Fort Frederick and, 48 minutes from Harpers Ferry. For hiking enthusiasts; in addition to the C and O Canal, we are within 35 minutes of several Appalachian Trail access points and various state and national parks: including Greenbrier, Cunningham Falls, Catoctin, Washington Monument
from 
$50
 / night

The best camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park guide

Overview

About

With over 180 miles of trail to explore, its easy to see why the C&O Canal towpath is a popular destination for local outdoor enthusiasts. Dozens of access points are all along the trail, which follows the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. Many of the original features of the canal, including locks, lock houses, and other structures, are still standing, giving folks a glimpse into the canal's historical role as a major transportation system during the mid-19th century.

If you're interested in a history lesson, make sure you check out the visitors center located at Great Falls Tavern, where you'll hear the tales of those who lived and worked along the C&O Canal. Summertime visitors can even experience living history by travelling the canal on a mule-drawn replica passenger boat and riding through a 19th century lift lock!

There are plenty of ways to traverse the trail, either by hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Most paths are flat, but for those of you looking for a bit of a hiking challenge, check out the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls. You'll quickly see why this trail is named after the nimble goat as you make your way up angled rocks and boulders. Sturdy shoes are a must!

Campers have a multitude of ways to stay overnight, whether by drive-in car camping, hiker-biker campsites or the unique canal quarters experience, where you can sleep in a lock house. No matter how you choose to spend your time along the trail, it's sure to be an amazing adventure.

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