How is camping at Calico Rocks?
Not-Giver-Upper from Rockville on 10/14/2026 08:56 AM:
Hi
I was wondering what's the experience of camping at Calico Rocks. It seems very close to the tracks. Is it noisy at night' say after 9pm? Asking as I'm hoping to camp there overnight at a ride at some point in the near future.
Many thanks
NGU
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 10/14/2026 04:09 PM:
I’ve camped there a handful of times. As you have observed, the campsite is just across the canal from the RR tracks. In my opinion, the trains there are the loudest of all camping areas on either the GAP or the C&O. You’d swear they were about to pass through your tent as they approach. I try to avoid staying there if possible.
Not-Giver-Upper from Rockville on 10/20/2026 08:43 PM:
Thanks
I've figured as much and relocated my plan to camo at Huckleberry Hill.
Excited for a first overnight bikepacking tour!
Calico Rocks Campsite in Point of Rocks
Misty from Germantown on 03/13/2020 06:56 PM:
Where do we park if we use the camping facilities at Calico Rocks.
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 03/13/2020 10:27 PM:
There is no parking immediately adjacent to the Calico Rocks camp site itself. There is a parking area at the boat launch in Point of Rocks. From there you would have to hike/ride to the camp site. There is also a large commuter Park-N-Ride lot on the north side of the railroad at Point of Rocks. While it might appear to be closer to that camp site, you would have to walk along and cross the RR tracks to get to the campsite itself.
In general there is no parking immediately adjacent to the hiker/biker camp sites along the C&O Towpath.