Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

Star4.08
14 reviews
, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, USA

Quick Facts

614 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens National Park Service site

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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required; camping is free to all visitors.
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

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(301) 739-4200choh_information@nps.gov
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What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 14 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

water

Some mention

noisetrain

"User reviews highlight the site's suitability for bike touring and its basic amenities but note drawbacks like train noise. "Not a bad spot to camp after a long day of bicycle touring," one user remarks, appreciating the firepit, grill, porta potty, and trash bags. A common complaint is the noise from trains nearby."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, USA

Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, USA

Driving directionsDirections for Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite are available at https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/camping.htm.
No specific road accessibility details are provided in the source material.
Nearby places
No specific distances to nearby cities are provided in the source material.
Nearby supplies
No details about the nearest grocery or camping supplies are provided in the source material.

Best Time to Camp at Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

Experience the changing face of the canal through all four seasons at this year-round sanctuary. Spring brings wildflowers and migrating birds, summer offers lush green canopies, autumn paints the towpath in brilliant golds and crimsons, while winter reveals the canal's stark beauty. Note that water access hibernates from mid-November through mid-April when freezing temperatures arrive, so winter campers should pack extra supplies.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Summer offers lush green canopy and water availability for campers.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Autumn paints the towpath with foliage — a prime season for scenic visits.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring brings wildflowers and migrating birds; water is available for use.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open year-round but untreated water is turned off mid-Nov to mid-Apr, reducing comfort.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Camping availability and water use is seasonal, with water turned off during colder months.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round but availability of untreated water is seasonal, turned off from mid-November to mid-April.
  • Current Alerts: General park closures and detours related to hazardous conditions in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Specific alerts not provided for this campsite.

About Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

Nestled at mile marker 175.3 along the historic C&O Canal towpath, Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite welcomes weary travelers with open arms and no admission fee. This rustic retreat provides everything a cyclist or backpacker needs for a restorative night under the stars: a sturdy picnic table for evening meals, a grill for cooking up trail-worthy feasts, and essential facilities including a chemical toilet and access to untreated water. It's the perfect waypoint for adventurers traversing the legendary 184.5-mile canal path.
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite is a primitive setup specifically designed for hikers and bikers traveling along the towpath. It does not accommodate RVs, group camping, or luxury setups.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
No specific check-in time is required as reservations are not applicable.
Check-out
No specific check-out time is required as reservations are not applicable.
Stay Limit
Stay limit is one night per hiker-biker campsite.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

This campsite is tailored for hikers and bikers traversing the C&O Canal Towpath. Activities focus on enjoying the natural surroundings and the towpath itself.
HikingLocated along the C&O Canal Towpath, which provides approximately 184.5 miles of trail suitable for hiking. The towpath offers an easy and scenic route.
BikingThe C&O Canal Towpath is a popular route for biking, stretching 184.5 miles and accommodating long-distance bike touring.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWater at the campsite is untreated and requires filtration, chemical treatment, or boiling before use. Additionally, seasonal water availability is limited.
Active AlertsGeneral park closures and detours related to hazardous conditions in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Specific alerts not provided for this campsite.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite

Reviews

4.1
14 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker Campsite is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the site's suitability for bike touring and its basic amenities but note drawbacks like train noise. "Not a bad spot to camp after a long day of bicycle touring," one user remarks, appreciating the firepit, grill, porta potty, and trash bags. A common complaint is the noise from trains nearby.
Review Summaries
Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

The campsite is praised for its accessibility along the towpath and its basic amenities like chemical toilets, picnic tables, grills, and water access (with treatment).
Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

Train noise is the most frequently mentioned downside, with one review stating, "Nice enough, it is by no mean’s quiet at night!"
Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring earplugs to mitigate train noise. Ensure you pack water filtration or purification systems as the water is non-potable.
Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campsite is most convenient for use during the spring, summer, and fall months when water is available, as it is turned off mid-November to mid-April.
Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice enough, it is by no mean’s quiet at night!" "Not a bad spot to camp after a long day of bicycle touring. Plenty of space for tents. Pros: Firepit, grill, trash bags, porta potty. Cons: Train...
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Based on 14 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific campsite numbers are mentioned in user reviews.
Based on 14 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is not discussed explicitly in reviews.
Based on 14 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Information regarding pets is not provided in user reviews.
Based on 14 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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