Best Tent Camping near Fayetteville, PA
Tent campsites near Fayetteville, Pennsylvania offer several backcountry and established options along the Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal. The Antietam Creek Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park provides walk-in tent sites approximately 30 miles south of Fayetteville, while Annapolis Rock Campground along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers primitive tent camping about 20 miles southeast. Both areas primarily accommodate tent campers rather than vehicle-based camping.
Walk-in tent sites predominate in this region, with most requiring a short to moderate hike from parking areas. At Antietam Creek Campground, campers park on the road and carry gear across a bridge to reach their sites, which can be a considerable distance. One camper noted, "You have to park on the opposite side of the canal and walk to your campsite. If you got one close to the bridge over the canal then you're 100ft from the car, but if not then it could be a little bit of a walk." Annapolis Rock requires a more substantial 2-mile hike from Route 40. Most sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, though Annapolis Rock prohibits fires. Portable toilets or pit toilets are standard, with limited or no trash facilities, requiring adherence to Leave No Trace practices.
Tent campers in this region frequently base themselves near water features and trails. Areas along the Potomac River provide flat terrain with partial to full shade, though privacy between sites can be minimal. A reviewer described Antietam Creek as having "sites located along the Potomac River and between the C&O Canal. Flat campsites, fire rings & public well." For backcountry tent camping with greater solitude, Annapolis Rock offers designated sites about 1,700 feet in elevation with access to a natural spring for water. Annapolis Rock also features spectacular views from its namesake overlook just a short walk from the campground. Most tent sites in the region have seasonal availability, with some closing during winter months or requiring reservations during peak summer season.