Best Tent Camping near Woodsboro, MD
The Appalachian Trail corridor near Woodsboro, Maryland offers several primitive tent camping options within a short drive. Annapolis Rock Campground provides hike-in tent sites along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, requiring a moderate 2-mile hike from Route 40. Dahlgren Backpacker Campground in Greenbrier State Park and Antietam Creek Campground along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offer additional tent-only options within the region.
Most tent sites require some walking to reach, with distances ranging from 75 feet to over 2 miles depending on the campground. Primitive tent setups are the norm, with many locations providing only basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Water availability varies significantly - Annapolis Rock features a natural spring, while other locations have seasonal pumps. As one camper noted, "The sites are nice, but seemed pretty close together. As far as campgrounds on the AT go, this is one of the nicer ones." Vault toilets or pit toilets are common, though maintenance can be inconsistent, especially during peak season.
The tent camping experience in this area is characterized by proximity to waterways and hiking trails. Many sites offer direct access to the Potomac River or smaller creeks, providing opportunities for fishing, paddling, or simply enjoying riverside camping. Areas along the AT tend to be more secluded, though they attract through-hikers during peak season. Sites like Antietam Creek lack privacy between campsites, with one review mentioning "the campground itself is just one big field along the canal towpath, so you have no privacy from other campers." Gathland State Park and Washington Monument State Park campgrounds provide additional tent-focused options with slightly more amenities than the backcountry sites. No reservations are required at many of the primitive tent locations, though some fill quickly on summer weekends.