Maryland / Washington County / Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Antietam Creek Campsite

Open — Open year-round for reservations. Operates April 15 through December 31. Potable water pumps are available mid-April through mid-November; bring backup water during winter months.

About

Located at mile 69.4 on the C&O Canal Towpath just south of Sharpsburg, Antietam Creek Campground offers 20 tent-only campsites nestled in the woods between the canal and the Potomac River. Each site accommodates up to eight campers and comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Parking is allowed only on the shoulder of Canal Road, and campers must walk their gear across the towpath to reach the campsites. The campground features pit toilets located between campsites 6 and 7 adjacent to the towpath, with a second set of chemical toilets available further down the path. Potable water is available seasonally from pumps along the towpath, typically from mid-April through mid-November, though pump handles may not be in place during cold winter months. Campers should bring backup water supplies. Antietam Creek is a typically mild, slow-moving stream that feeds into the adjacent Potomac River, though river rise and floods can modify conditions quickly. Fishing and boating are popular activities, with nearby boat ramps at Dargan Bend and Snyders Landing providing motor boat access to the river. Maryland fishing licenses are required for ages 16 and older. The campground is also conveniently located near Antietam National Battlefield, South Mountain State Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park for additional hiking and Civil War history exploration. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited throughout all C&O Canal National Historical Park campgrounds.

Directions

From Hagerstown, take MD-65 to Sharpsburg, right on Main St., left on Harpers Ferry Road. Before crossing Antietam Creek bridge, turn right on Canal Rd. Campsites are across the canal and towpath from Canal Rd. From West Virginia, take WV-480 through Shepherdstown across Potomac River, first right after bridge on Canal Rd. Follow a few miles until campsites appear on right before Antietam Creek.

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