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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

hammock camping


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old spokes from Brick New Jersey on 9/9/2026 8:40:27 AM:
Hello everyone,

Any information on hammock camping the entire C & O would be appreciated .
Was hard to find trees at the campsites ?
And anything else you could tell me.
Thank you for your time.

 
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 9/9/2026 1:59:06 PM:
In general, the free hiker/biker (H/B) campsites are grassy areas closely surrounded by trees of various sizes, brush and weeds. Thus there are few locations within the grassy, open camping areas to tie up a hammock but a number of trees nearby with various distances between. Of course there are some exceptions where you likely could do so. There are no shelters within those campsites with support columns from which a hammock could be tied. Some of the lock house porches might facilitate a hammock but will no doubt draw the ire of the national park service rangers that patrol the towpath.

Others may be able to offer advice or recommendations for specific H/B camp sites or facilities.


 
Doug Red Runner from Westminster Md. on 9/10/2026 7:46:57 PM:
Like rivnuts said lots of trees along edges.. I want to do the same.. Hammock camping.. I've studied and ridden by. Chunks of the canal primary from damn no. 5 to turtle run.. several times looking for places to hang.. my hammock..although not directly in the hiker biker sites. Off along the edges I found plenty of areas if you find suitable tree distances...lay out a ground cloth and have at it., we aren't the only hammock users.. whats very nice is that if you absolutely can not find a place..most hiker biker sites are 5 or so miles apart.,there are a few exceptions..Huckleberry to bald eagle,, Huckleberry mm 62.9 Bald eagle mm 50.3 a bit over 12 miles also ya might wanna bring some
Extra Long straps ..remember some of these beautiful giants are over a century old., plus extra ridge line for rainfly..large trunks. Always check over head for deadwood...trees are minimally maintained..feel free to contact me