Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
Travilah, Maryland · 164 ft · In Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
NPS/ S. Spencer · source
At a glance
4 of 8 facts known · nps.gov, checked Sep 24, 2026
- Elevation
- 164 ft (50 m)164 ft50 m
- Land
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
National Park Service
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park · 20 campgrounds
Ringed: you're here
Open in the mapOther campgrounds in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 19
Nearest first. This park is spread out: the closest is 8 miles away.
- Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite1 site · Free8.7 mi
- Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite1 site · Free13 mi
- Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite1 site · Free17 mi
- Indian Flats Hiker-Biker CampsiteFree18 mi
- Brunswick Family Campground$159–$245 a night · full hookups28 mi
- Antietam Creek Campsite20 sites · $10–$20 a night · Reserve on Recreation.gov38 mi
Also in the park: 23 backcountry and High Sierra camps
Open the park pageAmenities
You could be the first camper hereYou could be the first camper on this page
Stayed here? Share what the next camper should know.
Free account · no email needed to browse
About
Mile 16.6 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water.
Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. If you use this water, you are advised to filter, chemically treat, or boil before use. Water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April each year.
From National Park Service — campgrounds and Recreation.gov · Edit
Cell service
Report signal- Verizon4G LTE
- AT&T5G · 4G LTE
- T-Mobile5G · 4G LTE
Cell service at Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite: FCC map Dec 2025
Weather
National Weather Service
- WedSunny, 7% chance of rain85°60°
- ThuChance Rain Showers, 54% chance of rain65°58°
- FriShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, 56% chance of rain79°45°
- SatSunny, 3% chance of rain54°36°
- SunSunny59°41°
Nearby camping
SeeSee all on the mapOutside the park, nearest first.
Camp Fraser
Campground · 3.7 mi · Great Falls
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
National Park · 3.9 mi · Potomac
Robert C. McDonell Campground
Public Land · 5.1 mi · Potomac
3 more within 25 mi
Dispersed camping nearby
Free dispersed camping within 19 mi, on public land.
- under 100 ft
Lock 21 “Swains” Campground
Travilah, MD · On National Park Service land · Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 8.8 mi
Horsepen Branch
Cascades, MD · On National Park Service land · Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 13 mi
Chisel Branch
Lansdowne, MD · On National Park Service land · Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 17 mi
Marble Quarry
Poolesville, MD · On National Park Service land · Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- 18 mi
Indian Flats
Barnesville, MD · On National Park Service land · Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Location and contact
Data from National Park Service — campgrounds (NPS Data API), Recreation Information Database (RIDB) / Recreation.gov
Something wrong here? Suggest an edit
Run this campground? Claim the listing