How much does camping cost at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Camping fees at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite range from $10-$20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite first-come first-served or reservation?

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite before I book?

Yes! Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite have?

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Yes, pets are allowed at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Popular activities at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite include Hiking, Fishing, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

Q: Can I have a campfire at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

Fire policies at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite: Fires are permitted in established fire rings. Please ensure that your fire is extinguished completely each time you leave the area. The cutting or defacing of any live growth is strictly prohibited. Kiln fired or dried wood may be brought into the park. Fallen dead timber in the park may be used for on-site firewood. Bring handsaws to cut fallen wood. Chainsaws are prohibited. Park Rangers reserve the right to ban all fires during periods of drought.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.89

134 reviews

11710 MacArthur Blvd.

Fishing

Featured in:Boating Camping Maryland

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

449 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open April 16 - Dece...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

449 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open April 16 - Dece...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

$10.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC-440923: $20.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone...

Group Site Fee$40.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

choh_information@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

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Campground Map

11710 MacArthur Blvd.

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

11710 MacArthur Blvd.

Nearby places

Little Orleans (4 miles), Hancock (approx. 10 miles), Paw Paw, WV (approx. 15 miles)

Weather at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

Current alerts(9)

Carry Out all Trash. The park is a 'Trash Free Park' and trash cans are not provided. Trash must be picked up and the area left in a clean condition before the group departs.
Check-in and Check-out. Check-in time is 1:00 p.m. and check-out time is 12:00 noon ET.
Emergencies. If someone is "squatting" in your campsite OR for emergencies, please call National Capital Region Communications Center 1-866-677-6677.
No Alcohol or Marijuana. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Marijuana is illegal on federal property.

Best Time to Camp at Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

Best season: fall. Fall offers cooler, stable weather and spectacular Appalachian hardwood foliage—peak color typically arrives in mid- to late October—making hiking, biking, and scenic photography the top draws. Daytime highs are often 50–68°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s, ideal for comfortable river paddling and fishing without the summer humidity or bugs. Crowds are moderate: weekends can be busy with leaf-peepers along the C&O Towpath, but weekday solitude is common. Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February, March

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Peak foliage mid–late October; cooler temps, fewer bugs, and reviewers recommend fall visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open April 16 - December 31. Reservations are available on a 6-month rolling basis.

About Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite sits along the Potomac River within Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, operated by the National Park Service. This primitive campground offers hikers and bikers a quiet riverside stop with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Reviewers praise the scenic river views and trail access, though train noise and close site spacing are common trade-offs.

The campground offers primitive camping with limited facilities, catering primarily to tent campers, small RVs, and groups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers cooler, stable weather and spectacular Appalachian hardwood foliage—peak color typically arrives in mid- to late October—making hiking, biking, and scenic photography the top draws. Daytime highs are often 50–68°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s, ideal for comfortable river paddling and fishing without the summer humidity or bugs. Crowds are moderate: weekends can be busy with leaf-peepers along the C&O Towpath, but weekday solitude is common. Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February, March

Elevation449 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryFifteen Mile Creek flows into the Potomac here at 449 feet elevation, surrounded by Green Ridge State Forest's 47,000 acres of ridge-and-valley Appalachian terrain. Hardwood forest shades most sites, opening to views of the river below. Fall brings peak foliage in mid-to-late October when the canopy turns gold and crimson. Morning mist rises off the water. The forest extends in every direction, creating a true backcountry feel despite the campground's small footprint.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo formal accommodations like lodges or cabins are available. This is a primitive camping area.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 14 nights per visit
maximum 30 nights per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 guests per single campsite
group site accommodates up to 30 people.

Groups

The group site accommodates up to 30 people and is separated from the main area by a short bridge. Vehicles must park in the adjacent lot, requiring campers to carry their gear to the site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov online, via mobile app, or contact center.

AccessibilityThe group site is separated from the main campground by a short walk across a bridge, and vehicles are not allowed directly at the group site. Accessibility for individuals with disabilities was not explicitly mentioned in the sources.

Site SizeSites are described as drive-in and large enough to park vehicles such as small fifth wheels or RVs with a 20 ft. maximum. The group site can accommodate up to 30 people, while single sites accommodate up to 8 people.

PrivacyPrivacy is limited at this campground as several reviews mention that campsites are close together. "Tiny, tiny loop with 9 sites very close together," one reviewer stated. Another noted, "Sites don’t have privacy, no trees between.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites 6-9 for Potomac River views; site 5 for shade and river access. Avoid site 7 if shade is a priority.

Best CampsitesSite 5 gets consistent praise for shade and river proximity. Site 6 offers strong river views. The group site sits across a bridge requiring a short hike-in and delivers the best privacy, separated from the main loop and spacious enough for 30 people.

Need help booking Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable hand pump water is available from April 15 - October 31.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Fifteen Mile Creek Campground provides a variety of outdoor recreational activities, focusing on its natural surroundings and proximity to the Potomac River and C&O Canal Towpath. Popular activities include boating, fishing, hiking, and biking. The boat ramp allows easy access to the river for kayakers and anglers. Some visitors also enjoy swimming informally at the river, although it's not an officially designated swimming area.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. The campground offers protected pit toilets that are frequently cleaned. "Vault toilets were clean," reported one user.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyFires are permitted in established fire rings. Please ensure that your fire is extinguished completely each time you leave the area. The cutting or defacing of any live growth is strictly prohibited. Kiln fired or dried wood may be brought into the park. Fallen dead timber in the park may be used for on-site firewood. Bring handsaws to cut fallen wood. Chainsaws are prohibited. Park Rangers reserve the right to ban all fires during periods of drought.

Trash & RecyclingNo trash or recycling bins are available since the park is 'Trash Free.' Campers must carry out all trash and ensure the area is left clean before departure.

Cell CoverageOne user noted, "Literally no cell service for T-Mobile or Verizon," though another mentioned, "I heard T-Mobile was pretty good." Signal reliability may vary.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.9

134 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Fifteen Mile Creek Campsite has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the beautiful natural surroundings and convenient access to the Potomac River and C&O Canal Towpath. Common praises include the campground's peacefulness, scenic views, and suitability for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. However, frequent complaints involve the lack of privacy between campsites, noise from occasional late-night visitors, and limited amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 134 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 134 reviews.

Site 5Loved
Site 5 is highly praised for its shade and proximity to the river.
Site 6Loved
Site 6 offers excellent river views but less shade.

What Campers Love

Notable positive aspects include: scenic views ('Great view of the river and launching area'), excellent hiking and biking access, and clean facilities ('Vault toilets were clean, and the place as a...

Based on 134 reviews

Common Concerns

Concerns raised include: campsites being too close together ('Tiny, tiny loop with 9 sites very close together'), noise from late-night visitors ('Locals drove to the boat launch at all hours of the...

Based on 134 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing your own firewood, water, and hand soap. "RVrs fill your fresh water tank before you get there," noted one reviewer. Others suggest choosing specific sites for the best...

Based on 134 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busy during peak seasons like summer and holiday weekends, with increased activity from boaters and cyclists. Fall is particularly recommended for its scenic beauty. Winter visitors...

Based on 134 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice little campground right on the Potomac," "Very beautiful and well kept! Reservations are needed," and "Great site along the trail. I am coming back again."

Based on 134 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility concerns were not specifically mentioned, but the group site requires carrying gear from the parking area, which could be challenging for some users.

Based on 134 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed. One user noted, 'Beautiful area. Peaceful. Only downside was dog poop all around the area. I wish people would pick up after their pooch.'

Based on 134 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want budget-friendly river access with hiking and biking trails, and you're okay with train noise and close neighbors.

Skip if

You need electric hookups, full privacy between sites, or a quiet setting away from railroad tracks.

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Indigo Neck Hiker Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

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Indigo Neck Hiker Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Indigo Neck Hiker Biker Overnight Campsite sits along the C&O Canal towpath near Little Orleans, Maryland, operated by the National Park Service for through-hikers and cyclists tackling the 184.5-mile trail. This primitive site offers direct Potomac River access and a secluded feel beneath a deciduous canopy, with fire rings and picnic tables for overnight stops. Freight trains run across the river throughout the night, horn blasts included.