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Established Camping

Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

About

National Park Service

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Overview

The Fifteen Mile Creek Campground is located at Mile 140 on the C&O Canal Towpath, in the town of Little Orleans upstream of Hancock and downstream of Paw Paw, WV, on the Maryland side of the of the Potomac River. The campsites are drive-in, large enough to park a small fifth wheel/travel trailer/RV/pop-out with a 20' ft. maximum.

Recreation

The most popular activity for Fifteen Mile Creek campers is boating and fishing. The campground has a boat ramp for easy access to the Potomac River for kayakers and fisherman alike. Be sure to acquire a Maryland Fishing License for those age 16 or older.

Facilities

The campground has nine single drive-in campsites. There is one group site available that does not have direct vehicle access. The group site can accommodate 30 people. Each single will accommodate up to eight people. Single campsites have a picnic table, fire ring and grill. Protected pit toilets are located between campsite #3 and campsite #4 along the dead end circle. Potable hand pump water is available from April 15 - October 31. No motor vehicle traffic is allowed on the towpath. Parking is allowed in the drive-in campsites and the adjacent parking lot for vehicles with trailers and support vehicles for the group site.

Natural Features

Fifteen Mile Creek Campground is adjacent to the confluence of Fifteen Mile Creek and the Potomac River on the Maryland side. Tucked in the mountains of Western Maryland and adjacent to Green Ridge State Forest, natural beauty is plentiful all times of the year, but especially during autumn.

Nearby Attractions

Greenridge State Forest and Billmeyer Wildlife Management Area are state managed areas available for additional activities. This area is remote.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer.__ __ Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window ___ Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. ___ Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. ___ Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.

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Location

Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in Maryland

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Hagerstown: Take I-70W to I-68 W. Take Exit 68 towards Little Orleans. Follow Orleans Rd for 4 miles. Make a left on High Germany Rd. and it will dead end at the campground. From Cumberland: Take I-68 east for 25 miles to exit 68 and then follow Orleans Road for 4 miles. Make a left on High Germany Rd and it will dead end in the park.

Address

11710 MacArthur Blvd.
Potomac, MD 20854

Coordinates

39.6247333 N
78.3848417 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

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5 Stars

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

B
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2022

How camping sould be

Open space in a pine forest, nothing but a picnic table ans space. If you need it you better bring it.

Site15
Month of VisitMay
Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jan. 1, 2022

Great Drive-in Campground along the C&O Towpath Trail

This is a more traditional NPS campground along the Potomac River and C&O Towpath Trail where you can actually drive in, instead of just hiking or cycling. It would make a great shuttle point, or RV base camp for the weekend if you plan to ride the C&O Trail.  We stopped for lunch at the picnic sites next to this campground.  It was nearly empty in October!

Many sites have a lovely view of the Potomac River. In addition to being situated on the C&O Towpath Trail, you can launch a paddle boat or electric motor, but no gas-powered engines. The sites were clean, the water pump worked well, and the pit toilets were kept clean and well-stocked. There are no electrical hook-ups at this site, so come prepared with solar power.

The nearby town, Little Orleans, offers a few places to eat and grab some minimal supplies. Bill’s Place is a popular eatery just off the trail.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Shari  G., January 1, 2022
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Shari  G., January 1, 2022
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Shari  G., January 1, 2022
  • (7) View All
j
Reviewed Sep. 19, 2021

Simple but nice

Quiet during the week. Water access and biking/hiking trail. Beautiful place in the early morning hours

Site6
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by jeremy S., September 19, 2021
Jeremy C.
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Cute low-key site on water and trail

Small clean campground on the CO Canal with vault toilets. Easy water access with a small boat ramp. A number of kayakers, canoes, and paddle boarders made use. Also a number of people fishing. At the entrance there is a small convenience store to grab supplies that you may have forgot. Did not go in, but their signs indicated they had a bit of everything.

  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Jeremy C., July 24, 2020
Deanna S.
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2019

Small cute campground

Cute location right on the river and the C&O bike path. Would be great for through bike camping. Not much regulation. Our campsite had been taken by another family so we had to use a different one. Good for a quick camp weekend.

  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Deanna S., October 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Deanna S., October 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Deanna S., October 14, 2019
  • (5) View All
Shawn W.
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2019

Almost Perfect!

Small campground perfectly located & suited for perfect traditional camping experience!

SiteCampsite #5
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Shawn W., October 13, 2019
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Shawn W., October 13, 2019
Chip G.
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2019

Along the canal...

This park is about half way on a trip form NC to NY I take and it is a great way to split a long day into two nice days.

Fifteen Mile Creek is part of the larger C&O Canal park. If I remember correctly it winds its way for about 150 miles. For this portion, at least, the campground is good and the tow path along the canal is great for a run and quite scenic. There are spots along the canal for through hikers and bikers to camp and various drive up spots. 

About the campground:

- 6 or 8 campsites reservations are a good idea

- picnic tables and grills / fire rings

- two pit toilets

- no showers

It is right next to a boat launch and parking lot. 

More info

Site3
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Chip G., August 15, 2019
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Chip G., August 15, 2019
  • Review photo of Fifteen Mile Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park by Chip G., August 15, 2019