Best Tent Camping near Clearville, PA
Public lands surrounding Clearville, Pennsylvania offer several tent-only camping options along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and nearby waterways. Primitive tent camping is available at Paw Paw Tunnel Campground, located approximately 25 miles south of Clearville, which provides basic tent sites with access to the historic canal system. Stoney Creek Campground in nearby West Virginia features riverfront tent sites with more amenities, while Maple Festival Park offers walk-in tent sites near the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail, about 30 miles west of Clearville.
Sites throughout the region typically feature grass or dirt surfaces with minimal grading. Most tent campgrounds provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets or portable facilities. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering hand pumps while others require campers to bring their own supply. According to reviews, several hiker-biker campsites along the C&O Canal have unreliable water pumps with missing handles. Tent campers should prepare for limited facilities, particularly at the more primitive backcountry tent sites. Reservations are required at some locations but not all, and quiet hours typically begin at 10 PM.
In early spring and fall, tent campsites experience fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures. One camper noted that Antietam Creek Campground requires visitors to "park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site," making it less convenient for extensive gear but ideal for tent camping. Train noise affects several campgrounds along the C&O Canal, with a visitor recommending "ear plugs for a better night's sleep." Sites at Town Creek offer "enough room for a dozen tents or more" with multiple picnic tables, making it suitable for group tent camping. Many locations provide direct water access, with campsites positioned along the Potomac River or smaller streams, offering opportunities for paddling, fishing, or simply enjoying the natural setting.