The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Clear Spring, MD

941 Reviews

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park corridor near Clear Spring, Maryland offers numerous tent-only camping options along the historic towpath. Jordan Junction and Opequon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsites provide primitive tent camping experiences approximately 15 miles west of Clear Spring in Williamsport. Antietam Creek Campground, located about 20 miles southeast, features walk-in tent sites with Potomac River access. For backcountry tent camping experiences, Annapolis Rock Campground on the Appalachian Trail sits approximately 12 miles east of Clear Spring, offering tent sites at 1,700 feet elevation.

Most tent campsites in the region require minimal hiking to access, typically ranging from 75 feet to one mile from parking areas. Antietam Creek's walk-in tent sites require campers to park on the road and carry equipment a short distance to riverside locations. Sites generally feature basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets or portable facilities. Water availability varies significantly between locations, with some offering hand pumps (often requiring treatment) while others have no potable water. The camping season for most sites runs from May through October, though some primitive tent camping areas remain open year-round with limited winter facilities.

Tent campers frequently mention the peaceful riverside settings as a highlight of the C&O Canal campsites. According to reviews, Antietam Creek offers "flat campsites with fire rings right on the Potomac River," though some note the proximity to train tracks can create noise disturbances. One visitor reported that Town Creek Hiker-biker site provides "enough room for a dozen tents" with "gorgeous riverfront area." The walk-in nature of these tent-only sites creates a more secluded experience than typical campgrounds, though facilities remain basic. Campers should prepare for varying conditions, as one reviewer noted that "several of the hiker/biker camps have missing well pump handles, so always come prepared with water."

Map showing campgrounds near Clear Spring, MarylandExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Clear Spring, Maryland (31)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 31 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Clear Spring Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Clear Spring, MD

33 Photos of 31 Clear Spring Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Clear Spring, MD

941 Reviews of 31 Clear Spring Campgrounds

  • RL
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Great views, primitive camping

    We hiked the one mile into the campground and stayed for a night. It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground. In the campground there is one bathroom facility with two vault toilets (although one of the doors was locked while we were there, which was unpleasant with a full campground). No running water or showers in the bathhouses. Non-potable water pump is near the restroom. Boil water at least three minutes before consuming. There are two areas with firewood (purchase when you check in or pay $6 cash at the kiosk - honor system). Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole. Definitely will be back!

    The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites 🪁💙

  • Lucas B.
    Jul. 2, 2017

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Awesome foray into backpacking

    Came here for the first time in February 2017 to do a shakedown on some new backpacking and camping gear. Super friendly staff and easy check in process. Parking is in a locked lot steps away from trail head which leads to campsites about a mile away. Campsites are in a wooded area of park well away from other park attractions so it's very quiet. Sites are spaced far apart and come with tent pad, picnic table, fire pit and lantern pole. Non potable water is available via hand pump near rest rooms. Rest rooms are very nice and clean. No showers. This was one of my favorite camping experiences ever and I will definitely be back!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Nice hiking opportunities!

    Ranger Review: Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter at Greenbrier State Park

    **Campground Review: **

    We were here one week before this campground closed for the season (open April through October) and it was so quiet that it was hard to imagine what it is like in the summer when the beach is open and the campground is likely full. There are four loops; two with no hookups and no pets allowed, one with no hookups that allow pets and one with electric sites that allow pets. Each site is clearly defined, and the sites all appeared level with gravel pads. The bathrooms were reasonable. There are several trails in the campground plus it is close to several AT day hikes.

    There is a large day-use area and beach with lots of picnic tables. While the beach was closed for swimming, we saw a kayaker and two people fishing from a boat. Many hiking trails and this is an excellent place to camp if you’d like to do AT day hikes.

    ------------------------- 

    Product Review: 

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test products. At this campground, we tested the Firebiner and Fiber Light Fire Starter by Outdoor Elements. I’m reviewing both products since they can be used together, and we had much more luck with one than the other. 

    Upon unpacking my box from Outdoor Elements, my first experience was that it took a sharp knife to free the Firebiner from its cardboard backing, which was not an auspicious start. Once at our campground, we were able to use the safety blade to easily open the plastic packaging on our firewood. Unfortunately, it took several tries by two men trying the Firebiner to get a spark; they had to really crank on it, and it was not enough to light a fire. I’m guessing that with more patience and practice, it would have worked. Admittedly, we are car campers and not backpackers (and have the luxury of being able to carry/use a butane lighter), but I was looking forward to trying a new method. 

    We did use the Fiber Light Fire Starter and using our tried and true fire-starting methods, we got a roaring fire started very quickly. So, we had a 50% success! Packed in a small tin, you only need a pinch to easily get a fire started so we will use this in the future. 

    We also used the cutting tool on the Firebiner a few days later to remove the wristband from an activity we participated in and also used it to hang our lantern on a hook; this little tool is very strong (did not test but appreciate the 100-pound weight limit). I appreciate that it can also be used as a screwdriver, so the Firebiner is truly a multi-use tool!

  • Michelle N.
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    Great Site Along the Potomac River

    Stayed one night on 8/9.

    This is such a nice little spot right along the Potomac River. All sites are walk-in only, which means you park on the street, cross the bridge over the C&O and towpath, and then down a little hill to your site. When my dog and I arrived, someone was still there, but after letting them know I had this spot reserved, they promptly packed out. There were no camp hosts on-site and nowhere to check in. 

    There isn't much privacy between you and your neighbors (or the C&O towpath so be prepared to see bikers, walkers, and runners). Each site has a grill, fire pit, and picnic table. I stayed at Site 11 which had its own path down to the Potomac River. It was quite steep for my bum knees and ankles, but I saw kids easily run up and down it. The Potomac is mostly flat with some "swirlies" for experienced paddlers. I also saw some people tubing. 

    There's one bathroom area- 2 pit toilets and 2 portapotties. There is nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack everything out with you. The sites are fully or mostly shaded. Be prepared to make friends with bugs, but they shouldn't bother you. Also great news- no mosquitoes! 

    I have Verizon and had better service by my car on the road than at the actual campsite. At the site I could make calls but couldn't check the internet. Other than a few check-in calls to family, I was looking to unplug for the night. 

    I ended up not sleeping overnight due to a personal health issue, but I am looking forward to coming back when it's a little cooler.

  • Reba H.
    May. 2, 2023

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Please don't treat this like car camping

    I understand why people are lugging wheeled carts a mile into this campground, but it is technically not allowed. This is a backcountry/backpacking experience. Most of the hike-in is on Hadow Trail, which is dirt, not gravel. It is technically an equestrian trail too, but there's no way a horse could make it without breaking an ankle right now; the trail is so worn down by wheeled cart usage that the park has created a service project on the American Hiking Society's website calling for volunteers to do restoration work on Hadow Trail on this year's upcoming National Trails Day.

    I hiked in while it was raining, and the mud wasn't as bad as I'd feared. However, the worn down parts of the trail attracted rainwater drainage, and the runoff narrowed the trail significantly. When I got to Boston Mill Rd Trail, which is gravel, the hike was easy, until the spur turning into the campground, when the trek goes uphill. If your site is further back, you will be hiking up and down many hills throughout the campground. The hills are fantastic for helping each site feel like a little private oasis. Even if the campground is full, I think most of the sites would still feel shaded and private because of how they're dispersed throughout the hills. 

    My site bordered the buddy site and scout group sites at the beginning of the campground, so there was noise from loud kids but not as bad as I thought it might be. I was still able to enjoy peace and quiet, as the group respected quiet hours and was busy hiking the rest of the state park during the daytime, so don't shy away from this site if it's the only one available. The group sites also have their own latrine at the beginning of the campground, which pleasantly surprised me because this meant there were two latrines fairly close to each other, just to accommodate projected usage. There are many thoughtful details like this throughout the design of the campground facilities. 

    For a backcountry campground, I was SO impressed with how stocked and clean everything was. Firewood is $8 (honor system), but there was some leftover at my site already. My firepit had a quality grill gate too. There are LOTS of bear trash cans available, and having a bear box at my campsite to store my food/trash/toiletries was so much easier than hanging a bear bag. If it hadn't rained, I also would've been able to use the hammock posts at my site (you could use these to hang a clothesline too if you wanted). When I talked over the phone with a ranger, she told me that only a few campsites didn't have hammock stands. If you think a lantern is worth its weight to carry in, there's a lantern post on the tent pad. I loved how level the tent pad was even on a hill. I couldn't figure out how to use the potable water pump, but there are plentiful creeks you can filter water from.

    Overall, this is a fantastic campground for a beginner backpacking experience in the real backcountry. Use the Avenza Maps app that the park has its map uploaded into, and you won't get lost finding the overnight parking/self check-in station like I did. Know the gate code of this area before you go. The gate takes a hard push and pull. If you're prepared for all this, you'll arrive at camp before dusk when the wild animals come out. At night I saw white-tailed deer and heard owls and cattle! During the day I saw/heard SOOO many birds on the South Ridge Trail and found a bear track after the Cpt. Morgan Trail on the creek side of Hadow Trail!! If all this sounds awful rather than exciting to you, just drive in for the day and stick to the historic areas rather than venture into the park's backcountry areas.

  • Amy S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Sky Meadows State Park Campground

    Great hike in campground

    It's about a mile hike in to the campground, which sits in the woods in the park. Firewood is available for sale and there are fire rings with grates and a picnic table. Sites are large enough for three one person tents. Pit toilets, no showers, cell service. Make sure you bring a bear bag or box with you.

  • Nick C.
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Cozy and Clean - Lots of Firewood

    The sites are very clean but close to each Other. You can hear the kids and families and all that. The sites have a nice mulched tent pad, fire ring / grill grate, lantern pole and picnic table. There is a firewood hut at the entrance and you can take what you need - just leAve a donation. The bathrooms are very clean and there’s some trails around the creek (dry creek/ nothing impressive)

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2023

    Owens Creek Campground — Catoctin Mountain Park

    Peaceful w filtered sun

    Owens Creek Campground : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price: $15/night w senior pass Usage during visit: very low including Fri night Site Privacy: understory trees, filter l e of site in many sites. Site Spacing: most very nicely spaced Site surface: blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet Road Noise: Only a bit in first few campsites Through Traffic: no problem Electricity: No Water: Spigots at bathhouses Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: 6 AM to 10 PM Bathroom: Old but very clean.
    Showers: Yes. Double curtains Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (Verizon): Very good Setting: A thick deciduous forest Weather: nice. Cooler because of shade Bugs: A few. Will probably increase as month moves on Solar: Too much shade for fixed solar panels Host: Yes Rig size: Not all sites will accommodate a 22’ trailing. Sites: Pictures are of some of the best sites. My favs: 14 nice woods view , (28 & 29 hear creek,)37. 45, 46

  • Suzy W.
    May. 23, 2018

    Hawk Recreation Area Campground

    A nice spot to get a little off the grid a couple hours outside DC.

    I only stayed one night, but plan to return for a longer stay as it was peaceful and scenic. The campground is free, open from late April through December, and campers may stay up to 21 days. However, there are no online reservations or staff in the area; I would want to have a back-up plan in case all sites are already taken.

    Check-in and check-out are accomplished by filling out a 3 x 5 card at the entrance and placing it in the slot for your campsite. At the end of October, only 4 of the 15 campsites were occupied so I was able to select one spaced out from other campers for privacy.

    The campsites are arranged on the outer perimeter of the loop drive, with a vaulted toilet outhouse and a pump water spigot located within the center island. (I did not use the water, but have read elsewhere that it may come out looking rusty, presumably from the mineral content). Campsites had enough space between them to feel private but close enough to feel that local bears would (hopefully) pass us by. Each campsite has a long parking area (not pull through), a cleared area for tents, a picnic table, and a fire ring and lantern pole. There is no electricity at the campground.

    The road approaching the campground is not comfortably wide enough to pass oncoming cars (though I did not encounter any) so I would take it slow, especially around the many bends. My cellular reception cut out along one of the forest roads well before reaching the campground; I will have a compass and written directions in and out handy when I return.

Guide to Clear Spring

Tent camping near Clear Spring, Maryland offers primitive backcountry experiences along the C&O Canal towpath and Appalachian Trail corridors. The region sits at the convergence of Potomac River watersheds and the western Maryland mountains, with elevations ranging from river level to over 1,700 feet. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from spring through fall, with limited winter facilities available at backcountry sites.

What to do

Potomac River swimming: At Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, campers can cool off after a day of hiking. According to one visitor, "Want to rinse off? Jump into the Potomac for a swim" after enjoying the basic necessities at this primitive site.

Tubing on Antietam Creek: The waterways near Clear Spring provide excellent tubing opportunities. A camper notes that "Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing" for those seeking relaxed water recreation during summer months.

Rock climbing: Annapolis Rock Campground offers established climbing routes for various skill levels. A reviewer confirms that "Rock climbing available" with "all kinds of single pitch climbing" on the cliff faces adjacent to camping areas.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail: The AT runs through the region with multiple access points. One camper describes the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground as a "good stop on the AT" that's "open only to multi-day backpackers" providing a strategic overnight location for through-hikers.

What campers like

Riverside camping spots: The proximity to water ranks highly with visitors. At Opequon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, campers enjoy a "Gorgeous spot just off the trail and 50 meters from the Potomac" according to recent reviews.

Natural springs for water: Several campgrounds feature reliable natural water sources. At Annapolis Rock, one camper mentioned a "Short walk to cold natural spring for water" that provides year-round hydration for backpackers.

Shower access on long hikes: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground stands out for its shower facilities. A hiker explained it was "a welcome relief to get to a spot where I could wash off and have indoor plumbing for a night" while traveling the AT.

Spacious group camping areas: Some sites accommodate larger gatherings. Annapolis Rock offers "about a dozen campsites to choose, and several group sites" with varying levels of privacy according to regular visitors.

What you should know

Tent sites require walking gear in: Most campsites near Clear Spring require some effort to reach. At Antietam Creek Campground, "you have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site" and campers must "carry all your stuff across a bridge and down the path to your site. Could be a very far walk."

Campfire restrictions vary: Fire policies differ between sites. While Antietam Creek allows fires with "each site has a fire ring and a picnic table and grill," Annapolis Rock prohibits them due to "restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past."

Bathroom facilities are basic: Expect primitive facilities at most sites. At Antietam Creek, campers report "the one thing we had to complain about were the bathrooms... by the 3rd night they were really gross" and there was "nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles."

Limited privacy at some locations: Many sites lack separation between campers. Antietam Creek "is just one big field along the canal towpath, so you have no privacy from other campers" and "all the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."

Tips for camping with families

Accessible wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to spot native species. One camper at Annapolis Rock warns to "be careful for the copperheads that come warm up on the rocky overlook" – an educational opportunity with proper caution.

Bring extra water containers: Water sources can be unreliable. Though many sites advertise drinking water, one visitor to Horseshoe Bend Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite noted there's a "water pump" but availability and functionality may vary seasonally.

Consider noise factors: Train tracks and roads can disrupt sleep at some locations. At Antietam Creek, visitors report "a lot of car traffic" and that "the campground itself is just one big field" offering little sound buffering from neighbors or transportation corridors.

Seek social camping experiences: For families who enjoy meeting other outdoor enthusiasts, some sites foster community. Antietam Creek "is nice if you're a social camper, we got to talk to many people and also got to enjoy a nearby camper playing his violin as the sun was setting."

Tips for RVers

Limited RV access: The camping options near Clear Spring focus primarily on tent camping with virtually no RV-specific amenities. The few drive-in campgrounds like Mulehalla offer "tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart" but may not accommodate larger vehicles.

Consider alternative base camps: RVers should look for established campgrounds in neighboring communities with hookups, then day trip to Clear Spring area attractions. Most C&O Canal and AT campsites are specifically designated as hike-in or walk-in tent sites without vehicle accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clear Spring, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clear Spring, MD is Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Clear Spring, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Clear Spring, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring