Best Tent Camping near Martinsburg, WV
Tent campsites near Martinsburg, West Virginia cluster primarily along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, offering primitive camping experiences along the Potomac River. Antietam Creek Campground provides walk-in tent sites with riverside access, while several hiker-biker overnight campsites dot the C&O Canal towpath at regular intervals. Sacred Roots in West Virginia and C&O Camping Club in Maryland offer additional tent-only options within a short drive of Martinsburg.
Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and flat tent pads, though surface conditions vary from grassy clearings to gravel-covered platforms. Vault toilets or portable facilities are standard at established sites, but running water is limited. At Antietam Creek, campers must park on the street and walk across a bridge to reach their sites. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some campgrounds offering non-potable hand pumps while others require visitors to bring all water or filter from nearby streams. One camper noted that "there is nowhere to leave trash, so be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack everything out with you."
The tent camping experience along the C&O Canal offers unique access to both natural settings and historical features. Sites positioned along the Potomac River provide opportunities for paddling, fishing, and wildlife observation, though swimming is not recommended due to dangerous currents. The proximity to the towpath means regular foot and bicycle traffic during daylight hours, creating a social atmosphere at some campgrounds. Privacy between campsites is often minimal, but the trade-off is easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails. A visitor commented that "there isn't much privacy between you and your neighbors or the C&O towpath, so be prepared to see bikers, walkers, and runners," but the riverside location and historical context make these tent sites particularly appealing for weekend adventures.