Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served with no reservations. Water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April. Limited to one night per stay.
Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 12:34AM EST until December 30 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 to 50 mph. There may be a lull in the wind gusts between 3 AM and 7 AM, but winds will increase again later Tuesday morning before gradually subsiding during the afternoon. * WHERE...Portions of DC, central, north central, northeast, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia. * WHEN...Until noon EST today. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Closures: Detours; Towpath; Points of Interest
Multiple items are closed due to hazardous conditions or maintenance. See below for more details.
Hiking in Gold Mine Tract
Visitors are restricted to the designated trails within the Gold Mine Tract in the Great Falls area. This location is generally defined as that area bordered by MacArthur Boulevard and Berma Road and depicted on the Great Falls Maryland Hiking Map.
Equestrian Traffic Temporarily Prohibited Milepost 173.37 to 184.5
Horses are prohibited between Spring Gap (mile 173.37) and Cumberland (mile 184.5) due to recent and ongoing towpath resurfacing. See more for details.
Scheduled Closure
From 6/27-7/1, CSX Transportation will close the railroad crossings at Point of Rocks (mile 48.2), Lander (mile 50.8), and Brunswick (mile 55) to perform repairs. Vehicles will be unable to reach the parking lot or boat ramp. The towpath will remain open.
About
Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite sits at mile 26.1 along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath, part of the network of primitive campsites spaced approximately every 5-7 miles for through-hikers and bikers. This free, walk-in site operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required and a one-night stay limit. The campsite provides basic amenities including a chemical toilet available year-round, a picnic table, and a grill for cooking. Located near the Potomac River in Poolesville, the site is subject to flooding after heavy rains. Water is available at the site but is non-potable and not treated, requiring filtration, chemical treatment, or boiling before use. Water is shut off from mid-November to mid-April each year. Fires are restricted to the grill provided or portable grills positioned off the ground. Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground for use at the campsite only. The site is not ADA accessible and offers no cell phone reception during winter months.
Directions
Located at mile 26.1 on the C&O Canal towpath near Poolesville. Access via towpath only on foot or bicycle.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Chisel Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 4.6mi
- Turtle Run Hiker-biker Campsite 7.9mi
- Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Campsite 9.1mi
- Swains Lock Hiker-biker Campsite 8.7mi
- Indian Flats Hiker-biker Campsite 12mi
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite 12mi
- Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion 13mi
- Calico Rocks Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 16mi
- Bald Eagle Island Hiker-biker Campsite 18mi
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| choh_information@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (301) 739-4200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Photos
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