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Stillriding from Pgh. on 1/13/2014 10:42:01 AM:

I am THINKING about a Pgh. to DC. ride starting May 24th, 2014. Being the holiday weekend my concerns are that the camping sites may be too crowded. Does anyone know how busy they may or may not be during Memorial Day weekend? Thanks.

Rick from Grafton, Va. on 1/14/2014 6:18:20 AM:

Actual camping options are further apart along the Gap and it seems to me that a lot of people do indoors stays. I've used both options on several trips. The c&O is totally different with campsites every 5-10 miles average. Along the Towpath you'll meet like-minded people who don't mind sharing a campsite or at least that's been my observation.

marc from Cincinnati on 1/16/2014 2:34:05 PM:

I did the Pitt-DC thru ride this past summer during the memorial day holiday. No problem with campsites. As Rick stated, campgrounds on the GAP section are few and far between but you won't have any problem getting a site. Most of them have special areas set aside for bike campers. You'll need to do your homework and plan your ride along the GAP to determine where you'll be camping. As Rick said, there are trailside campsites every few miles on the C&O.

Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va. on 1/19/2014 10:49:55 AM:

Found this partial list of camping rules along the C&O.
1st come 1st served basis. No fee.1 family or camping unit allowed per site. Park defines "family" as 1 head of household plus family. A camping unit consists of up to 6 persons per site. Campsites may not be reserved. I've ridden up to an occupied camping site several times and set up after introducing myself. I've also extended an invitation when I was there first. Just common courtesy and a simple bending of the rules to accommodate like minded people out having fun. Like I mention in my other post the C&O is easy to plan camping options. The Passage requires some thought mainly to adjust your mileages.

Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va. on 1/20/2014 8:53:20 AM:

Didn't think to mention but my wife and I plus 2 friends will be departing from Pittsburg on Fri. May 23rd and biking to Cumberland. We might see you on the trail. Also check out the trail side shelters as you enter Connellsville from the west. There are 2-3 small Adirondack type 3 sided shelters that are free for overnight usage. Also, I can't remember where but along the Passage there was a small park/campground that had a small 3 sided shelter with a stone fireplace directly in front complete with cast iron cooking utensils. It was a pretty neat set up.

s from p on 1/23/2014 8:30:03 PM:

Thanks for the info Marc and Rick. It's appreciated.

Craig from Fort Ashby on 1/24/2014 7:56:52 PM:

make sure the tunnels are open before you start your trip from Pit to Cumb.

myownlittleworld from central PA on 2/7/2014 5:06:25 PM:

"Also, I can't remember where but along the Passage there was a small park/campground that had a small 3 sided shelter with a stone fireplace directly in front complete with cast iron cooking utensils. It was a pretty neat set up" - - -

We used this shelter last year when we went through. It is in Cedar Creek Park. It was great for us, due to the rain. We set up our inner screen without the rainfly and were able to keep out the bugs. If I remember correctly, the cast iron implements consisted of the means to hang pots over the fire, but you needed the basic cookware.
One thing, ...if you are bothered by noise when sleeping, the open side of the shelter faces the river and the train tracks on the opposite bank. It really catches the sound. Of course, you do get the train noise the whole way along the trail system, so one has to get used to it.

Rick from Grafton on 2/11/2014 6:00:40 AM:

That was the place Cedar Creek. When we rolled through there were a few cast iron pots/skillets hanging over the fireplace, very rustic but they may have belonged to the people that were there for the Indian Pow Wow. Your right about the noise but I tend to sleep pretty good regardless of the racket.

kurt ensley from youngstown ohio on 4/21/2014 12:09:13 PM:

I,m also leaveing from around pitt on the 23rd.for dc and back.Did pitt to frostburg md.last oct.camping is hard to find.might see you on the trail.I,m riding with my little jackrussel

Stillriding from Pgh. on 4/22/2014 9:40:35 AM:

Thanks all for the feedback. I have decided to go from D.C. to PGH. leaving the week before. Kurt, maybe I will see you and your little Terrier at the end of my trip. How do you plan on carrying him?

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