Maryland / Frederick County

Indian Flats Hiker-biker Campsite

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Water is turned off from mid-November through mid-April. Overnight stays are limited to one night.

About

Indian Flats Hiker-Biker Campsite is a primitive camping area situated at milepost 42.5 on the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath in Frederick County, Maryland. Named for early 1700s Indian trading settlements that existed upstream on the Monocacy River, this site serves hikers, bikers, and equestrians traveling the 184.5-mile canal trail. The campsite is accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback and requires campers to travel the towpath to reach it. This free camping area operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Overnight stays are limited to one night per site, and facilities include a portable chemical toilet available year-round, a picnic table, and a grill for cooking. Water is provided seasonally but is non-potable and must be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before use. Water service is turned off from mid-November through mid-April. As a primitive campsite, Indian Flats offers a rustic camping experience without hookups, showers, trash service, or potable water. Fires are restricted to the provided grill or portable grills positioned off the ground, and all coals must be extinguished and removed from the park. Campers should come prepared with all necessary supplies and plan to pack out all trash. The site is part of the National Park Service's network of hiker-biker campsites spaced approximately every five to seven miles along the C&O Canal.

Directions

Located at milepost 42.5 on the C&O Canal towpath near Dickerson, Maryland. Accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback via the towpath.

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