Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

4.80

8 reviews

Quick Facts

479 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Water is turned off ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

479 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Water is turned off ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(301) 739-4200CHOH_information@nps.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.80

Top-Rated

Based on 8 reviews

5 Google reviews

Some mention

noisetrain

"Users find the campsite suitable for its purpose as a stop along the C&O Canal Towpath, appreciating its simplicity but noting limitations such as train noise."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

39.6213, -78.2793

Driving directionsDirections for Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight campsite are available at https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/camping.htm.

Access to the campsite is walk-in only as it is meant for hiker-biker use. No vehicle access is allowed.

Nearby places

Woodmont, MD is the nearest populated area but specific distances or travel times are not provided.

Best Time to Camp at Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

The camping experience at Cacapon Junction transforms with the seasons, from the fresh awakening of spring to the golden warmth of autumn. Prime camping conditions flourish between April 15 and November 15, when potable water flows freely and mild temperatures create ideal conditions for outdoor sleeping. Winter visitors should prepare for the raw beauty of cold nights and potential mixed precipitation, when the campsite takes on a more rugged character that appeals to the hardiest souls seeking solitude along the frozen canal.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Potable water is available Apr16–Nov14; April–November is listed as prime camping season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Autumn described as 'golden warmth' and is within the prime April–Nov season.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring described positively ('fresh awakening'); potable water returns mid-April for prime use.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Water turned off Nov15–Apr15; limited potable water and services in winter months.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Potable water is only available from April 16 to November 14, making this the ideal camping season.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Water is turned off from November 15 to April 15, limiting access to potable water during this period.
Current Alerts: No active alerts were specifically noted for this campsite.

About Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

Nestled at mile marker 133.6 along the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight beckons weary travelers with its simple yet essential amenities. This free, first-come, first-served sanctuary caters specifically to those exploring the towpath on foot or by bicycle, offering a peaceful respite complete with a picnic table for evening meals, a grill for campfire cooking, treated water to refill bottles, and a chemical toilet. Here, the journey becomes the destination as cyclists and hikers pause to rest beneath the stars, sharing stories of the trail with fellow adventurers.

The Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) campsite is a primitive, walk-in campground catering to hikers and bikers seeking a minimalist camping experience.

Weather and SeasonsThe camping experience at Cacapon Junction transforms with the seasons, from the fresh awakening of spring to the golden warmth of autumn. Prime camping conditions flourish between April 15 and November 15, when potable water flows freely and mild temperatures create ideal conditions for outdoor sleeping. Winter visitors should prepare for the raw beauty of cold nights and potential mixed precipitation, when the campsite takes on a more rugged character that appeals to the hardiest souls seeking solitude along the frozen canal.

Natural Features and SceneryWake to the gentle sounds of the Potomac River as morning mist rises from its surface, revealing the dramatic contours of the surrounding Appalachian landscape. This riverside haven offers front-row seats to nature's daily performance, where great blue herons stalk the shallows and eagles soar overhead. The interplay of water, forest, and mountain creates an ever-changing canvas that rewards early risers with spectacular sunrises and treats evening campers to peaceful sunsets reflected in the historic canal waters.

Geological RegionSituated within the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, this campsite rests in the embrace of the Potomac River valley, where the ancient Appalachian Mountains meet the life-giving waters that have shaped this region for millennia. The towpath follows the river's course through a geological wonderland where limestone cliffs, sandstone formations, and river-carved valleys tell the story of deep time, creating a dramatic backdrop for your overnight adventure in this historic transportation corridor.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

No check-in time since the site is walk-in only.

Check-out

Campers are allowed to stay only one night.

Stay Limit

Stay is limited to one night per site, per trip.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to eight campers can be accommodated at single sites.

Groups

No group camping facilities are provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSingle site, walk-in layout intended for hiker-biker use.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not applicable as this campsite operates on a walk-in basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-up only, and availability is first-come, first-served.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as reservations cannot be made.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned for the campsite.

Site SizeSites are walk-in and designed for minimal facilities.

PrivacyThe privacy level for campsites is not described.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

The Cacapon Junction campsite is primarily designed for hikers and bikers traversing along the C&O Canal Towpath. Activities are limited due to the campsite's minimalist infrastructure.

HikingThe campsite is located on the C&O Canal Towpath, which provides extensive hiking opportunities. The towpath is relatively flat and suitable for hikers of all skill levels.

BikingThe C&O Canal Towpath is a popular route for bikers and provides direct access to the campsite.

Wildlife viewingThe C&O Canal Towpath offers opportunities to observe various species of birds and other wildlife native to Maryland.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotable water may not be available during some weeks due to theft or seasonal conditions. Campers should carry iodine tablets.

Active AlertsNo active alerts were specifically noted for this campsite.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed only in the provided grill/fire rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesPark emergencies can be reported at (866) 677-6677 or 911. However, specific details regarding the closest hospitals or police stations are missing.

Trash & RecyclingThis is a 'Leave No Trace' site, meaning visitors are expected to carry out all trash as no trash or recycling facilities are provided.

Water FeaturesThe campsite is located near the Potomac River.

Camp HostThere is no host at this site.

Weather at Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

Reviews

4.8

8 reviews

Top-Rated

Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users find the campsite suitable for its purpose as a stop along the C&O Canal Towpath, appreciating its simplicity but noting limitations such as train noise.

Review Summaries

Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers have positively mentioned the campsite's soft grassy areas, making it comfortable for tent pitching. One user appreciated the overall view saying, 'Great view of the Cacapon and Potomac. Soft...

Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaint is the noise from trains passing nearby, with one review stating, 'It's a campsite on the C&O. Trains roll thru every few hours tho.'

Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Future campers are advised to bring water purification tablets due to the iodine-treated water and to be prepared for train noise.

Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not indicate specific seasonal trends, though users should note that water is unavailable during winter (November 15 - April 15).

Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Great view of the Cacapon and Potomac. Soft grass to tent on.' - Daryl Dixon. 'It's a campsite on the C&O. Trains roll thru every few hours tho.' - Eric Hansen.

Based on 8 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific sites are numbered or reviewed individually.

Based on 8 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 8 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific mentions of pets or pet-related experiences are available.

Based on 8 reviews

0 review

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.

Last updated January 13, 2026

Nearby Campgrounds