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

North Mountain Hiker-biker Campsite

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Water pumps are turned off from mid-November through mid-April. One-night stay limit per trip.

About

North Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite is a primitive overnight camping area located at mile 110.0 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath near Clear Spring, Maryland. Part of a network of hiker-biker campsites spaced approximately every 5-7 miles along the canal, this site provides basic amenities for cyclists and hikers traveling the historic towpath. The campsite is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Overnight stays are limited to one night per trip to ensure availability for through-travelers. The site includes a chemical toilet (available year-round), picnic table, and fire grill. A hand pump provides non-potable water from mid-April through mid-November, but the water is not treated and must be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before use. No water is available from mid-November through mid-April. Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground for use at the campsite, but fires must be confined to the provided grill or fire ring. Portable grills are permitted if positioned off the ground. The site is located in proximity to the Potomac River and may be subject to flooding after heavy rainfall. This walk-in only site is not accessible to vehicles and is not ADA accessible.

Directions

Located at mile 110.0 on the C&O Canal towpath near Clear Spring, Maryland. Walk-in access only from the towpath.

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