Tent camping at McCoys Ferry Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

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NOTE: Sections of the towpath, locks and other historical structures, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, and visitor centers are constantly being closed due to damage and/or repair. When planning an adventure within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, make sure that areas you plan to visit are open by checking the National Park Service’s official Current Park Conditions web page.

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McCoys Ferry Campground is one of five “drive-in” campgrounds within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park that is accessible to those in vehicles.

OPERATING SEASON

McCoys Ferry Campground is open year-round. April 15th through November 15th is considered peak season and camping fees are higher.

LOCATION

McCoys Ferry Campground is located just east of Fort Frederick State Park at the end of McCoys Ferry Road in Clear Spring, Maryland. When approaching the campground the road forks, with a left leading uphill on a paved road and a right leading downhill on a dirt road—take the dirt road. There is a tunnel with a 10′ 3” clearance, so be aware of that. See the Camping web page for an interactive location map.

If you are a light sleeper, there are train tracks directly behind the campground. No trains came through at night when I was there, but they do come through in the late morning.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Sites at McCoys Ferry Campground can accommodate tent campers, small RVs, and other self-contained sleeping vehicles. Trailers (sleeping unit or boat) can be no longer than 20 feet (and remember the tunnel). The road through the campground ends in a loop, so turning around with a large vehicle is no problem. There is parking for one vehicle at each campsite. Park additional vehicles at the parking lot near the entrance to McCoys Ferry Landing (the official name of the small park where the campground is situated).

There is one group campsite for tent campers only. There is parking for two vehicles.

NUMBER OF SITES

There are 12 standard campsites and 1 group campsite. Standard sites allow up to eight people and two tents, or an RV and a tent.

The group campsite can hold up to 30 people, and you must have a least 9 people to use the site. There is no limit on the number of tents other than what space allows. If the group site is taken when your group wants to camp, feel free to reserve multiple standard sites.

Campsites at McCoys Ferry Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

AMENITIES

Each standard campsite has a picnic table, grill, and separate fire pit. The group campsite has four picnic tables, one grill, and one fire pit. There is no electricity or modern restrooms. A chemical toilet (i. e. indoor fancy outhouse) and a hand-pumped water spigot that produces water treated with iodine so that it is drinkable are available for all campers to share. The water pump only operates April 15th through November 1st.

There is a boat ramp for launching small motorized fishing boats and hand-paddled watercraft. Many of the campers had boats when I stayed at the campground right after Labor Day.

TERRAIN

A dirt road runs down the middle of the campground. Half of the sites are along the Potomac River and half are next to the forest.

Road through the McCoys Ferry Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The sites are large, but there is nothing between them and thus no privacy. The terrain is flat and the ground is covered with grass. There are some shade trees, but depending on the time of day the shade may angle away from your tent and you could be sitting in the sun. Tents on the forest side of the road tend to have more shade than the river sites.

Campsite along the Potomac River at McCoys Ferry Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Campsite adjacent to the forest at McCoys Ferry Campground in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

FEES AND RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required to camp at McCoys Ferry and all other drive-in campgrounds at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Paying with cash upon arrival is not an option. You can make a reservation up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. A credit or debit card is required.

For the latest fees, see the National Park Service’s official Camping web page for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Fees are also listed on Recreation.gov.

CAMPGROUND RULES

• The C&O Canal National Historical Park is a trash free park. Please plan to take all trash with you.
• Check in time is 1 PM. Check out time is 12 PM.
• Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Stay is limited to 14 days between May 1 and October 1. Stay is limited to a total of 30 days for the entire calendar year.
• Pets must be on a leash or under other physical control at all times.
• Firewood cannot be brought into the park.
• Except for hammocks, the tying of ropes to trees and structures is not permitted. Hammocks must have straps that are at least one inch wide. Plastic zip cords, nails, or screws are not permitted for the purpose of anchoring a hammock.
• Fires are restricted to the grills and fire rings provided or to portable grills positioned off the ground. Coals must be extinguished and removed from the park.
• Firewood may be collected from dead material on the ground, but for use in campgrounds only. Do not remove wood from the campground.
• For the protection of drinking water, campers may not wash dishes, bathe, or clean fish near wells.
• Draining or dumping refuse or waste from trailers or other vehicles is prohibited.
• Alcohol and marijuana are prohibited in the campgrounds.

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