CO Canal

If I'm planning on completing the entire trail from DC to Maryland, would I need to pre plan/ reserve a lodge or camping ground to stay in, or do people usually play it be ear? and how much would it normally cost to complete the trail with the use off all the necessities (eat,sleep,drink,shower,etc.)

We usually have a support vehicle and camp. There are campgrounds every 5 miles with water, picnic table and porta-pot. Some are free - others cost $10 to put up a tent if they are road-accessible. If you stay in hotels, cost would be more. Meals extra, accessible at limited places - carry snacks with you.

Gracie, Last year my wife and I rode from Pittsburg to Dc. This was a credit card trip (no camping.) Due to the fact that it was mid Oct. and great weather we made all nightly reservations in advance. We ran into a snag about the 4th day when i had a tire rupture mid way between 2 major towns. Cost us part of a day getting a replacement tire. There was no way we could honor a reservation at a motel we'd reserved and cell service was spotty at best. We were able to contact and cancel the reservation but they didn't have to work with us as it was way less than 24 hours. I made a promise to myself at that time to always travel with at least a minimum of overnight gear. Tent, and sleeping gear.
So the answer is, if camping you probably don't need to reserve a space but if staying indoors I would likely reserve at least a few nights. Camping is a different matter the HBO's along the route (Hiker/Biker Overnights are free and have plenty of room. There is a fee for the group sites. As far as costs most B&B's are appx. $125, a motel might be anywhere from $65/$95, hostels around $25, etc. Meals would be about what you'd pay anywhere else, As low as $5/$10 and over $20 depending on the type of resturant. A nice option might be to switch between a campsite one night and a motel the next. There's something really great about a shower after a 40/60 miles ride! We generally do a 7 day ride for $600/$700 including a shuttle, meals, and indoor lodging. Nope this helps.

Hi Gracie. You did not mention when you plan on making your trip. If you are doing this during the summer, and you are planning on doing any B&Bs, I would absolutely make reservations. We book our entire through ride several months in advance. Some towns only have one or two places to stay, Paw Paw for example. Rick has some very good information in his post. Good luck!

A little word of warning about some of the Hiker/Biker campsites along the C&O towpath; some are very prone to pooling after a decent rainstorm (pooling in that there will be a pond of water about three to six inches deep). The most notorious sites are Cumberland Valley mp 95.2 and Turtle Run mp 34.4 but the best advice is to always seek the high ground when pitching your tent. There is also the issue of railroad noise especially from Harper’s Ferry to Dickerson, MD. There are two campsites I highly recommend that if you stay their that you use earplugs; they are Bald Eagle Island mp 49.9 and Calico Rocks mp 47.6 because the CSX mainline is less then 100 feet and it sounds like the train is coming right through your tent at night. Oh and they do blow their horns. As far as motel/B&B establishments, yes get reservations but always ask about their cancellation policy and will they work with you if your delayed by weather or mechanical breakdowns. I can’t speak too much about any of the establishments along the GAP, but along the towpath I personally recommend the Wernwood Inn in Paw Paw, WV or if you are going to push hard from Cumberland, you can stay cheep at the C&O Bicycle Shop’s bunkhouse for only $10 a night. Just remember to bring your sleeping bags if you plan to stay in the bunkhouse. Highly recommend that you avoid Little Orleans Lodge in Little Orleans and Candlelight Inn in Williamsport at all cost. Both are pricey, overrated, and have persistent cleanliness issues. The Tea Horse Hostel in Harper’s Ferry is very nice and a real bargain, also Laurie the owner is very hiker/biker friendly. In closing I want to invite you when you pass through Williamsport to stop at the Third Base Tavern for a libation and tell the bar tender that you’re “trail virgins”. Not to worry you’ll not be sacrificed in any pagan ritual but will be offered a shot of “Rocket Fuel” and a sharpie marker. After you down your shot, take a moment to scribe something on the ce

Gracie,
The Lockhouses are also available but you need to reserve those in advance with the National Park Service

I would just play it by ear, and that's what I did.

You get a lot more freedom and flexibility in your trip that way. There are campsites all along both trails that are free with no reservations needed. There are plenty of towns along the way where you can look for indoor accommodations for the nights you don't want to camp.

I rode from Pittsburgh to DC with two friends last June, and we stayed in inns/hotels the whole way. Our trip lasted a week, and we averaged about 60 miles a day. If you are in good shape and know how far you can ride each day, I would highly recommend making reservations. I would not want arrive at a town after riding 60+ miles and find there were no rooms available. If camping, you should have no problem winging it.