Turtle Run Hiker-biker Campsite
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April. One night maximum stay.
Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 12:34AM EST until December 30 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 to 50 mph. There may be a lull in the wind gusts between 3 AM and 7 AM, but winds will increase again later Tuesday morning before gradually subsiding during the afternoon. * WHERE...Portions of DC, central, north central, northeast, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia. * WHEN...Until noon EST today. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
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
Turtle Run Hiker-Biker Campsite is part of a network of primitive campsites spaced approximately every 5-7 miles along the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. Located at Mile 34.4 near Poolesville, Maryland, this remote site provides a no-frills overnight option for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians traveling the historic canal corridor. The campsite operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations required or accepted, and there is no fee for use. The site includes basic amenities: a chemical toilet available year-round, a picnic table, and a grill for cooking. From mid-April through mid-November, a water pump provides non-potable water that must be properly treated before consumption through filtering, chemical treatment, or boiling. Water service is shut off during winter months from mid-November to mid-April. Campers should be prepared with their own water supply during the off-season. Fires are restricted to the provided grill or portable grills positioned off the ground, and firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground for use at the campsite only. The campsite is situated in close proximity to the Potomac River and may be subject to flooding after heavy rains. Overnight stays are limited to one night to ensure availability for through-travelers. The site is not ADA accessible and can only be reached by non-motorized travel along the towpath. This primitive camping experience offers solitude and a connection to the natural and historical landscapes of the C&O Canal corridor.
Directions
Located at Mile 34.4 on the C&O Canal towpath near Poolesville, Maryland. Accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horseback along the towpath.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Marble Quarry Hiker-biker Campsite 3.0mi
- Chisel Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 3.4mi
- Indian Flats Hiker-biker Campsite 7.1mi
- Calico Rocks Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 9.2mi
- Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite 7.9mi
- Bald Eagle Island Hiker-biker Campsite 11mi
- Hunts Campground 15mi
- Swains Lock Hiker-biker Campsite 16mi
- Huckleberry Hill Hiker-biker Campsite 19mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Photos
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