Camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, MD is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (158)

    1. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "

    "It’s very close to Harper’s Ferry (almost worth the hike into town rather than the difficulty finding parking in a town with one parking lot)."

    2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD

    23 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7117

    $99 - $471 / night

    "We recent went camping for the first time at Jellystone in Maryland. 5 of our 6 kids came with us, so we knew we needed to find a camping ground more geared kids."

    "There is a food court in the swimming pool and a camp store right next to it.

    They play movies every night at the outdoor theater near the pool."

    3. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    24 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-2663

    "If you would like to do some exploring, then you can walk the trail right next to the campground into the historical town of Harper's Ferry (If you’re facing the river then the trail is to the right of"

    "Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."

    4. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "This park just is near enough to Baltimore and DC to allow for a quick getaway and offers a lot to do."

    "Maryland has some great state parks and this is one of them. Decent sized sites, clean bath houses. Swimming lake is excellent. Only basic amenities, but dump station."

    5. McCoys Ferry Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    13 Reviews
    Big Pool, MD
    13 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "There is no privacy from adjacent campsites, but you are on the Potomac in sites 1 - 7.
    Price 2023: $10 w interagency pass Usage during visit: Light during the week. 40% full on weekends."

    "We stayed at campsite 1 which had nice views of the river and a pretty good distance from neighbors. Closest site to the drop toilet and day use area portapots (very clean!)."

    6. Lazy A Campground

    7 Reviews
    Gerrardstown, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 538-3555

    $30 - $40 / night

    "We choose this campground due to its location near an event we were attending. It was last minute and the owner was amazingly accommodating!"

    "Gorgeous location in the fall. River access for fishing or splashing around. Decent amenities for the price."

    7. Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA

    19 Reviews
    Williamsport, MD
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 223-7571

    "Set right next to the river and you fish if you want to. DO NOT follow your GPS. Follow the directions on the KOA Website."

    "Beautiful campgrounds situated near a creek. The campgrounds have a homey feel and were decorated nicely for fall & Halloween. The staff & hosts were incredibly nice & helpful."

    8. Fort Frederick State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Big Pool, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $15 - $17 / night

    "Added some more photos to show proximity to other sites. Great spot for some small hikes and history at the fort. There’s also tons of markers on the trails with history."

    "My spot had a cool path down to the river. There aren’t really facilities other then a porta potty near the sites and there is a code to get into the gate."

    9. Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area

    6 Reviews
    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 822-3551

    $10 / night

    "I’ve lived in Hedgesville all my life and have camped around Sleepy creek lake many time. It’s not till recently that we’ve started overlanding that I’ve realized what a gem we have in our back yard."

    "great place to disconnect. no cell service at all- bring a weather radio. campsites are nice and fairly private, wooded between them, many with access to the lake. lake is clear enough in some spots for"

    10. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    11 Reviews
    Sharpsburg, MD
    14 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."

    "Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."

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Recent Reviews near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

1125 Reviews of 158 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Campgrounds


  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Horrie Neighbors

    dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Riverside site

    The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours. So limited, but we saw very few people. Got buggy at night, but that happens. Also wish people picked up their trash, but we helped. Absolutely recommend

  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • M
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Perfect Site

    This was the perfect little site. Super friendly and accommodating, beautiful walking paths, great campsites. We really enjoyed our stay.


Guide to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful scenery and various campgrounds to choose from, it’s a perfect spot for families, solo adventurers, and RV enthusiasts alike.

What to do:

  • Hiking: The area is known for its scenic trails. Many campers enjoy the easy access to the Appalachian Trail. One visitor at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "Great hiking to Annapolis Rocks or the Washington Monument right from the park, no need to drive!"
  • Fishing and Kayaking: The lakes in the campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for fishing and kayaking. A camper at Owens Creek Campground shared, "My son and I spent an entire day kayak fishing on the small lake and clear clean water."
  • Exploring History: The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal itself is rich in history. Visitors can learn about the canal's past while enjoying the natural beauty. A reviewer at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, "The hiking is great and there is a National Park right next door, the location of Camp David."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and campsites. One happy camper at Harpers Ferry Campground said, "The facilities were extremely clean. Bathrooms were phenomenal great hot showers."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have friendly and helpful staff. A visitor at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA mentioned, "Staff was always friendly and accommodating."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A reviewer at Green Ridge State Forest expressed, "If you love to camp and view nature this is the place to be."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, "It was crowded but the campground is very wooded so I did not feel a lack of privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have basic amenities. A visitor at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "Only basic amenities, but dump station."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for noise from nearby roads or trains. A camper at Harpers Ferry Campground warned, "The trains run all night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park said, "This is a huge campground geared around kids."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you’re camping during peak times, arrive early to secure a good spot. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, "The campsites were relatively small, and close together."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings easier. A camper at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA mentioned, "Bathrooms clean and nice food amenities."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level, making it tricky for RVs. A reviewer at Cunningham Falls State Park warned, "Beware: The sites on the lower side of the road are pretty level."
  • Be Mindful of Space: RV sites can be tight, so be prepared for close quarters. A visitor at Harpers Ferry Campground noted, "Very small camp sites, we were just a few feet from the campsite next to us."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Make sure to know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a dump station."

Camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland, has something for everyone. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just enjoying nature, you’ll find a spot that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers a wide range of camping options, with 158 campgrounds and RV parks near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA with a 3.7-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park?