Best Tent Camping near Sharpsburg, MD
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers several tent-only camping options near Sharpsburg, Maryland, with Antietam Creek Campground providing walk-in tent sites along the Potomac River. This campground operates seasonally from May 1 to October 1 and features basic amenities for primitive tent camping. Nearby, Annapolis Rock Campground on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail provides backcountry tent camping at 1,700 feet elevation, offering spectacular views from its overlook. Additional tent camping can be found at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground in Greenbrier State Park and Gathland State Park Campground, both offering hike-in access for tent campers.
Most tent campsites in the Sharpsburg area require some walking to access, with parking typically located a short distance from the actual sites. At Antietam Creek, campers park on the road and walk approximately 75 feet to their sites, crossing over the C&O Canal towpath. Sites generally include fire rings, picnic tables, and grills, though amenities are minimal. Vault toilets or portable facilities are standard, but running water is limited or non-existent at many locations. The terrain varies from flat riverside sites to more challenging hilly areas. Pack-in, pack-out policies are common, with no trash receptacles available at most primitive tent camping areas.
Riverside camping provides unique experiences for tent campers in this region. One visitor noted that Antietam Creek sites are "fully or mostly shaded" with good protection from the sun but limited privacy between neighboring sites. According to reviews, the C&O Canal towpath near many campsites sees regular traffic from cyclists and hikers during daylight hours. At Annapolis Rock, campers report that the strenuous hike to reach the tent sites is rewarded with "glorious" views and relative solitude. Train noise can be an issue at some locations, with a camper recommending "bring earplugs" for sites near railroad tracks. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting encounters with deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species.