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

Swains Lock Hiker-biker Campsite

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. One-night limit per stay. Water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April.

About

Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite is one of 31 primitive camping areas distributed along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath, positioned at mile 16.6 near Potomac, Maryland. This free campsite is accessible exclusively to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians traveling the towpath, offering a basic but adequate overnight stop for those exploring the 184.5-mile historic canal corridor. The campsite provides essential amenities including chemical toilets available year-round, picnic tables, and grills for cooking. A water source is available seasonally, though it is non-potable and must be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before use. Water is turned off from mid-November through mid-April each year. The site accommodates up to 5 individual campsites and operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Campers should note that overnight stays are limited to one night only, and the site is located in close proximity to the Potomac River, making it subject to flooding after heavy rains. Fires are restricted to provided grills and fire rings or portable grills positioned off the ground. Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground for use in the campground only, but cannot be brought into the park or removed from the campground. The campsite is not ADA accessible.

Directions

Located at mile 16.6 on the C&O Canal towpath, accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback along the towpath.

Nearby Campgrounds