2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers several tent-only camping options within 15 miles of Point of Rocks, Maryland. Antietam Creek Campground provides walk-in tent sites along the Potomac River, operating seasonally from May through October. Nearby, Horseshoe Bend Hiker-biker Campsite offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities for backpackers. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Annapolis Rock Campground along the Appalachian Trail provides backcountry tent camping at 1,700 feet elevation with sweeping views from nearby rock outcroppings.
Most tent campsites in this region require some walking to access, with parking typically located on nearby roads. At Antietam Creek, campers park on the street and walk approximately 75 feet across a bridge and down a hill to reach their sites. Each site typically includes a fire ring, picnic table, and grill, though amenities vary by location. Vault toilets or portable facilities are standard, but running water is limited or non-existent at most locations. Many sites follow Leave No Trace principles, requiring visitors to pack out all trash. The terrain can be challenging after rain, with some sites positioned on slopes that may complicate tent setup.
According to reviews, the riverside tent camping experience offers unique advantages. One camper at Antietam Creek noted, "It's great being on the water," though they mentioned limited privacy between neighboring sites. Another visitor reported that while the sites are "fully or mostly shaded," nearby train noise can be disruptive at night. The C&O Canal towpath provides excellent access for hikers and cyclists, with many tent campsites positioned just off this historic trail. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting encounters with deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, the sites at Annapolis Rock offer what one visitor called "basic camping, which is all you need when hiking the AT."
"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."
"Small campground with a pit toilet right on the Potomac river picnic table and fire ring with a few nice trees throughout the camp area. Easy to get to and not far from the towns."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I’ve heard it is sometimes enforced."
"Backpacker campground with bathrooms and showers. Close to the South Mountain Inn, a hiker friendly restaurant. Big field."
from $45 - $75 / night
"Annapolis Rock Campground is right off the Appalachian Trail just about 1/5 of a mile before Annapolis Rock overlook."
"great primitive campsite that has undergone major restorations and preventative measures to reverse the damage from huge camping crowds of the past. no fires, but there are two privies and a really nice"
"There is a porta potty, water pump, and picnic table. Wonderful spot on the river."
"It was a pretty flat walk from the overnight parking area to the campground."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $112 / night
"We're excited to welcome these friendly and helpful hosts to our platform. Tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart."
from $30 - $65 / night
from $12 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
GuideQuite the dump and almost no one around to talk to. There is a bathroom with running water, flushing toilets, and a shower. But it is cramped and not attractive. Most of the sites are right underneath the freeway, and very noisy. Primitive sites away from the road noise are nothing more than a wide area of the dirt road.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
GuideYou just can't beat a pennsylvania park. This one is not an exception. Nice clean restroom, plenty of room. Now, what cost a star. Yes, it rained like hell. When we broke camp and go dump. The dump station was overflowing with sewer. Go to the guard shack to tell them, and find another site. None there. Can I go to an unused full hookup to dump? No! I would have to pay for the site. Two hours later, we found a place to dump for $10.
ScoutWas looking for a last-minute getaway on a busy weekend, and they seemed the best option. I've always associated private campgrounds with crowding and sites on top of each other. I couldn't have been more wrong about The Cove. There is more wooded space between sites than in many National Parks.
Some sections are best accessed via 4WD, which I think is a great way to keep things from getting too crowded.
Such a huge diversity of types of sites, from lakeside to wooded, to open fields. They have something for everyone.
The bathrooms are ok. Other than the shower area and the reception, most toilets are pit toilets. If you want to be walking distance to showers, make sure to book sites near them. For most sites, it's going to be a hike or a drive.
And on top of that, they have a beach for the kids, boat rentals, and a range.
This was our first visit, but we will definitely be coming back.
GuideThis pet friendly campground in Caledonia State Park is .8 miles from the larger Chinquapin campground (no pets), ranger station and swimming pool. Our site #171 was level, paved, full hook ups and next to modern clean bathrooms with flush toilets, warm showers and outside dish washing sinks. Many available sites with and without services on a Sunday in October. There were a good number of friendly, tidy, long term campers with large wall tents. (They allow 21 day stays after Labor Day)
ScoutThe owners are friendly and te store is stocked and makes great camping/diner food. Well priced, and easy to get around. Bathrooms are solid and clean, with fast hot water!
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
The Point of Rocks area offers tent camping options along sections of the Potomac River at elevations ranging from 240 to 1,700 feet. Most campgrounds are accessible from the C&O Canal towpath, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during daytime hours. Local campgrounds typically close between late October and early April due to freezing temperatures and occasional snow.
Tubing on the Potomac River: Camp at Antietam Creek Campground where one camper notes, "Antietam creek is very close by and is perfect for tubing or just enjoy the river & nature from your campsite!" The Potomac River has relatively calm sections ideal for beginners.
Climbing at Annapolis Rock: Visit Annapolis Rock Campground for rock climbing opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "The Annapolis Rock cliffs offer beautiful views and all kinds of single pitch rock climbing!" The cliffs are located a short walk from the campground area.
Explore Historic Sites: Stay at Gathland State Park Campground, which puts you close to Civil War historical sites. "Solid camping area... felt safe and had a great time," reports one camper. The park includes a monument to war correspondents and preserved historic structures.
Riverside Access: Campers appreciate the proximity to water at Horseshoe Bend Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite. One reviewer shared, "Small campsite but no one else was there, so it was perfect. There is a porta potty, water pump, and picnic table. Wonderful spot on the river."
Social Camping Experience: The best tent camping near Point of Rocks, Maryland often includes meeting fellow outdoor enthusiasts. A camper at Antietam Creek mentioned, "It 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."
Wildlife Viewing: Tent campers regularly spot wildlife during their stays. At Sky Meadows State Park, a visitor noted, "We had a family of deer pay us a visit each morning - didn't come across any bears." Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Seasonal Closures: Many campgrounds in the Point of Rocks region operate seasonally. At Antietam Creek, camping is available "from May 1 to October 1," with limited amenities during shoulder seasons.
Trail Conditions: Hiking to backcountry sites can be challenging after rain. A camper at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground shared, "This is a stop on the AT open only to multi-day backpackers. I've heard it is sometimes enforced." Always check current trail conditions before heading out.
Bear Safety Requirements: Most tent camping options near Point of Rocks require proper food storage. At Annapolis Rock, a camper pointed out that "There are also two bear poles. one near the beginning of the campsite trail and one closer to the spring." Never leave food in your tent overnight.
Choose Sites with Facilities: For tent camping with children, prioritize campgrounds with amenities. At Sky Meadows, a reviewer appreciated that "Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole."
Consider Hiking Distance: Families should factor in the walk to campsites. A visitor at Mulehalla noted, "Tons of open spaces for tents, and sites are spaced far apart." This provides room for children to explore safely.
Plan for Weather: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F, while spring and fall nights often drop below 50°F. A Sky Meadows camper advised, "The park has wide open rolling hills and mountain views. Lots of families picnicking and flying kites." Bring appropriate clothing for temperature variations.
Limited RV Options: Most tent camping near Point of Rocks, Maryland cannot accommodate RVs. A visitor to Antietam Creek noted, "You have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site. Not much traffic on that road."
Consider Alternative Arrangements: RV campers may need to set up at nearby state parks instead. Sky Meadows campers mentioned, "It's about a mile hike in to the campground, which sits in the woods in the park," making it unsuitable for RV camping.
Day-Use Access: RVers can park at designated day-use areas and hike to scenic spots. According to one visitor, "We didn't get to check out the Appalachian Trail - but it was only a few miles from the campsites," allowing for day trips from RV parks further away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Point of Rocks, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Point of Rocks, MD is Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park with a 3.8-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Point of Rocks, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Point of Rocks, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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