Established Camping
Spring Gap Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
About
National Park Service
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Overview
The Spring Gap Campground is located at Mile 173.3 on the C&O Canal Towpath, near the city of Cumberland on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.
Recreation
The most popular activities for Spring Gap campers are hiking the local trails, biking the C&O Canal Towpath, and kayaking or canoeing. The campground has a boat ramp for easy access to the Potomac River for kayakers and fisherman alike. Be sure to acquire a Maryland Fishing License for those age 16 or older.
Facilities
Spring Gap Campground offers 12 single drive-in campsites and two drive-in group sites. Campsites 1, 2, 8, 11 and 13 can fit a single vehicle (i.e., car/pickup/van). Campsites 3-7, 12, 14 can fit a small 20 ft. or less RV/trailer/pop-up. Single sites can accommodate up to eight people. Each single has a picnic table, fire pit and grill. Campsites 9 and 10 are group sites capable of holding 30 people each. The group site has room for two vehicles. The group site has four picnic tables, a fire pit and grill. Pit and portable toilets are available. Hand pump water is available April 15 - November 1.
Natural Features
Tucked in the mountains of Western Maryland and adjacent to Cumberland, MD, experience the history and culture of the area as well as its natural beauty, which is plentiful all times of the year but, especially during autumn.
Nearby Attractions
Cumberland, MD, has a C&O Canal National Historical Park visitor center open seven days a week, the Allegany Museum, Gordon-Roberts House, Gilchrist Gallery and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer.__ __ Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window ___ Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. ___ Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. ___ Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
Nice Riverside Sites
SPRING GAP in early November, 2023.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy.
Overall Rating: 3.5
Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass
Usage during visit: Empty
Site Privacy: There is absolutely no privacy between sites.
Site Spacing: Moderately spaced
Site surface: Grass
Reservations: Yes
Through Traffic in campground: Campground road dead ends, so no reason for there to be through traffic.
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes. Hand pump.
Generators: Allowed.
Bathroom: Chemical toilets - clean.
Showers: No
Setting: Along the Potomac River
Weather: Blue skies , High 60s, lows 30s.
Bugs: Too cold at night.
Solar: Some sites will have some solar during my fall drive through which is just after leaf fall.
Host: No.
Rig size: 20’ maximum.
Sites: 1-8 nice views. Remember, this post is after leaf fall. Views may be more obstructed in the spring. I feel like the views from river sites at McCoy Ferry are broader . 9 is on the river and most private. However, the view is very obstructed by vegetation.
- (7) View All
Nice view of the Potomac River. Long walking trail
Look at YouTube Grammy and pappy at it again. It was only 10 dollars
Beautiful creek side camp, but close to road and train tracks
Pros:
- 12 mile bike ride on the C & O Canal trail into downtown Cumberland, MD
- Beautiful creek-side camping spaces
Cons:
- Close to Route 51, so there is a lot of traffic noise
- Close to train tracks, so there were a few trains passing in the night
Location
Spring Gap Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in Maryland
Directions
From Cumberland, MD: Follow MD-51 S/E Industrial Road for approximately 7 miles. Campground will be directly off 51, on the right side of the road.
Coordinates
39.5646417 N
78.7179139 W