Best Tent Camping near Ellerslie, MD
Tent campgrounds surrounding Ellerslie, Maryland offer primitive setups in scenic mountain and forest settings. Big Run State Park Campground provides tent-specific sites along streams and near the Savage River reservoir, while Paw Paw Tunnel Campground in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers basic tent camping near the historic mile-long tunnel. The Lost Land Run area in Potomac-Garrett State Forest provides more remote tent camping options for those seeking additional solitude.
Most primitive tent sites feature minimal amenities and natural surfaces. The campgrounds typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Many locations have pit toilets or portable restrooms that receive varying levels of maintenance. Several tent sites sit adjacent to creeks or rivers, providing both scenic value and water access, though treatment is necessary for drinking. One visitor to Big Run noted, "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," while others appreciated sites positioned along flowing streams.
Areas along the C&O Canal towpath feature numerous hiker-biker overnight campsites that serve tent campers traveling the trail. These primitive tent camping areas often include a water pump, though visitors report handles are sometimes missing. Train noise affects several canal-side locations, particularly those near Cumberland. A reviewer mentioned, "If train noise is a problem for you, there's a bit of it happening here." Sites like Town Creek offer larger spaces with multiple picnic tables, making them suitable for group tent camping. During colder months, mosquitoes are less problematic, but summer visitors should come prepared. Several reviewers noted the peaceful experience of camping with only "birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek."
