Best Campgrounds near Hancock, MD
Hancock, Maryland provides access to a variety of campgrounds along the Potomac River and C&O Canal National Historical Park. The area features established sites like Fort Frederick State Park Campground and Happy Hills Campground that accommodate both tent and RV camping. Facilities range from primitive hiker-biker sites with minimal amenities to developed campgrounds with electric hookups, showers, and cabin rentals. The Western Maryland Rail Trail and C&O Canal Towpath run through the region, creating opportunities for hiking and biking directly from several camping areas.
Public lands in the area maintain seasonal availability patterns, with many sites operating from spring through fall. "We stayed at site 15. I would recommend the sites on the other side of the water as they are more spread apart," noted one camper at Fort Frederick State Park. Water access varies significantly between locations, with riverside campsites available at multiple points along the Potomac. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, though some campgrounds offer WiFi. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide drinking water and restroom facilities, while the more primitive sites along the C&O Canal typically offer only basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and portable toilets.
The Potomac River corridor shapes much of the camping experience in the area, with several campgrounds offering direct river access. A visitor observed that "the campsites at Fort Frederick State Park are situated right on the Potomac river. Very beautiful if I do say so myself." Train noise affects multiple camping areas along the river, as noted in several reviews of the hiker-biker sites. Permanent and seasonal RV sites dominate at some private campgrounds like Happy Hills, where reviewers mention golf cart traffic as common. The more secluded options tend to be the primitive sites along the C&O Canal, though these accommodate only tent camping with limited facilities. For those seeking amenities, the established campgrounds typically provide picnic tables, fire rings with grill grates, and proximity to water recreation opportunities.
