Best Tent Camping near Barnesville, MD
Tent campsites near Barnesville, Maryland cluster primarily along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, offering primitive camping with river views. Antietam Creek Campground accommodates tent campers with boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options from May through October. Gathland State Park Campground provides hike-in tent sites with picnic tables and toilet facilities nearby, while Annapolis Rock Campground along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers free primitive tent sites with a required permit.
Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities focused on primitive camping experiences. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at established sites, though firewood is generally not provided. Sites are typically set on natural surfaces with minimal development. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering drinking water pumps and others requiring campers to carry in their own supply. A review mentioned, "The hiker/biker campgrounds along the C&O Towpath run the gamut from good to great. Some are inspirational locations tucked away on a quiet bend in the river, others just meet the basic need of being flat enough to pitch a tent."
The Potomac River corridor offers particularly scenic tent camping opportunities. Sites along the C&O Canal provide direct river access and are popular with both hikers and cyclists using the towpath. One camper noted, "If you are willing to go you are rewarded by campgrounds every so many miles." Most tent sites remain first-come, first-served, especially at hiker-biker overnight locations. During peak season, arriving early is recommended, particularly at accessible sites like Swains Lock which features five designated tent sites. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers walk-in tent sites with drinking water, fire rings, and toilet facilities nearby. Many tent campers use these sites as basecamp for exploring the extensive regional trail networks, with several reviewers citing the proximity to water as a major draw for overnight tent camping excursions.