Tent camping near Clearville, Pennsylvania centers around small, primitive sites along waterways including the Potomac River and Cacapon River. The area sits at elevations between 500-1,500 feet in the Appalachian foothills, with sites typically experiencing moderate temperature swings between day and night. Most tent sites require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas, with limited facilities at many locations.
What to do
Water activities: The Potomac River provides opportunities for paddling and swimming at several campgrounds. At Antietam Creek Campground, one camper mentions access is "hard to get to the water," while another notes that sites have "its own path down to the Potomac River" though it can be "quite steep for my bum knees."
Hiking trails: The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail runs near several campgrounds. Maple Festival Park is "just 8 miles from the Eastern Continental Divide" according to a visitor, making it convenient for hikers tackling this section of trail.
Historical exploration: The C&O Canal and Paw Paw Tunnel attract history enthusiasts. One visitor to Paw Paw Tunnel Campground explains the tunnel is "very fun to travel through. Kids and adults alike enjoy the tunnel. Tunnel is always nice and cool refreshing during a long bike ride or hike on a hot day."
What campers like
Riverside locations: Many tent sites offer direct water access. One camper at Stoney Creek Campground appreciates the "Private Riverfront Group Camping" with sites that "can accommodate up to 40 people each with plenty of parking" and are "separated by a dense forest, piles of drift wood and noise from the river running through boulders."
Stargazing opportunities: Rural locations offer minimal light pollution. A visitor to Star Lee Farm highlights "a huge field to star gaze as well as taking pictures" and appreciates that "service is a little sketch but it's perfect for those who want to completely escape the business of modern world."
Convenient overnight stops: Cyclists find several campgrounds well-positioned for multi-day trips. One camper at Jordan Junction Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite notes it's a "Good site, has the necessities. Water, Porta p, fire pit. What else do you really need? Want to rinse off? Jump into the Potomac for a swim."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience periodic train disturbances. Reviewers at multiple sites mention nearby train lines, with one camper at Cacapon Junction Hiker-biker Overnight HBO Campsite simply stating "Train close by."
Limited facilities: Most sites offer basic amenities. At Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground, a visitor notes these "campsites are accessible by boat ONLY" and "are in an area of the lake that has a lot of boat traffic."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between locations. One Antietam Creek camper reports "the bathrooms...were really gross" by their third night, noting they "could smell them" from their site, while another mentions "toilets were not very clean and there are no trash cans."
Seasonal considerations: Water sources can be unreliable in certain seasons. A Paw Paw visitor found "Portable bathroom facilities only" and noted "The Portapotties were in bad shape, but it was winter so hopefully they get serviced more often in season."
Tips for camping with families
Prepare for carry-in camping: Many sites require short walks from parking areas. An Antietam Creek visitor explains "You have to park on the road and walk about 75 feet to your site. Not much traffic on that road and a trail with many cyclists and runners."
Pack lighting equipment: Dark tunnels and rural locations require additional light sources. A Paw Paw camper advises to "Make sure to bring some flashlights for inside the tunnel as it is a mile long and gets very dark!"
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A review of Antietam Creek notes "This campground is not for those looking for silence and solitude. All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."
Tips from RVers
Boat-in options: For those with boats rather than RVs, several unique opportunities exist. Nancy's Boat To Shore Campground provides mooring "along both sides of the campground" and while "the waterfront spots usually book a few weeks in advance," they're popular because they "are in a wake zone."
