Irons Mountain Hiker-biker Campsite
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. Water is turned off mid-November through mid-April; campers must bring their own water during winter months. Limited to one night per stay.
High Wind Warning issued December 30 at 12:34AM EST until December 30 at 4:00PM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Portions of western Maryland, western Virginia, and eastern West Virginia. * WHEN...Until 4 PM EST this afternoon. The strongest winds are expected through this morning. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
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
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite is located at mile 175.3 along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath in western Maryland, accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback. Part of a network of primitive campsites spaced approximately every 5-7 miles along the canal, this site provides basic amenities for towpath travelers exploring the 184-mile trail. The campsite is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required. Overnight stays are limited to one night to ensure availability for other travelers. Each site includes a portable toilet (available year-round), picnic table, and grill. Non-potable water is available from mid-April through mid-November; during winter months (mid-November to mid-April), water is turned off and campers must bring their own supply. Any water from the campsite must be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before use. The campsite is situated near the Potomac River and may be subject to flooding after heavy rains. Fires are restricted to the provided grill or portable grills positioned off the ground. Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground for use in the campground only. This primitive site offers a peaceful overnight stop for long-distance hikers and cyclists traversing the C&O Canal towpath.
Directions
Located at mile 175.3 on the C&O Canal towpath. Accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback via the towpath.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Spring Gap Campground 1.8mi
- Evitts Creek Hiker-biker Campsite 2.0mi
- Pigmans Ferry Hiker-biker Campsite 5.6mi
- Potomac Forks Hiker-biker Campsite 8.7mi
- Rocky Gap State Park Campground 10mi
- Town Creek Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 11mi
- St. Johns Rock Campground 14mi
- Purslane Run Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 15mi
- Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite 15mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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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