Pigmans Ferry Hiker-biker Campsite
Open — Open year-round, first-come first-served with no reservations. Limited to one-night stays. Non-potable water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April.
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
Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker Campsite is one of 31 primitive campsites spaced approximately every 5 to 7 miles along the 184.5-mile C&O Canal towpath within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Located at mile 169.1 in the upper reaches of the canal near Cumberland, this free campsite is accessible only to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians traveling the towpath. The site provides basic amenities including a portable toilet available year-round, a picnic table, and a grill for cooking. Non-potable water is available from mid-April through mid-November but must be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before consumption as it is untreated. Water is shut off from mid-November to mid-April due to freezing temperatures. Campers must come prepared with their own camping equipment and supplies. Overnight stays are limited to one night per campsite, and no reservations or fees are required. Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Fires are restricted to the provided grills or portable grills positioned off the ground, and all coals must be extinguished and removed from the park. Cell phone reception may be limited or seasonal in this remote location.
Directions
Located at mile 169.1 on the C&O Canal towpath. Accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback. More information at nps.gov/choh.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Potomac Forks Hiker-biker Campsite 3.3mi
- Spring Gap Campground 4.0mi
- Irons Mountain Hiker-biker Campsite 5.6mi
- Town Creek Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 6.0mi
- Evitts Creek Hiker-biker Campsite 6.9mi
- Rocky Gap State Park Campground 12mi
- Purslane Run Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 9.9mi
- Paw Paw Tunnel Campsite 10mi
- Sorrel Ridge Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 11mi
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 | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Photos
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