bill
Junior Member
Posts: 15 
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Post by bill on Apr 19, 2015 18:01:13 GMT -5
A couple of questions about hiking/ camping on the AT in Maryland, & the C& O Canal in MD. I'd like to go camping this spring & summer and I am worried about safety & security. How safe will my car be at some of the parking lots at the trailheads? One I had in mind is the parking area at the base of Weverton Cliffs. Another is the parking area at the Nat'l Park Service in Harpers Ferry. When I have been to these places early in the morning for a day hike, I am usually the first one there. The lots seem like the cars parked there would be easy prey for teenagers looking for some fun on a Saturday night.
Also: Has anyone camped on the C&O canal? The same o'night parking concerns are in my mind there. One exception is the Antietam Creek campground. You can park just over the canal from the campsites.
According to the NPS website for the canal camping is free. I had thought that last year they charged a fee.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Bill
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Post by YoBear on Apr 19, 2015 19:09:58 GMT -5
Hey Bill,
I have parked overnight in a couple of different locations along the AT and have never had an issue with people vandalizing my car. Up here in NJ, the parking lots are run by the State Parks, so you have to notify them before hitting the trail and fill out a sheet with your contact info should anything occur. They say that a park employee checks the lot twice a day, and that works for me haha.
As for camping on the Canal, during one of my section hikes, we wound up sleeping next to the river when the lights went out. It never occurred to me to check for camping fees and we were not approached by anyone the next morning. YMMV of course.
Hope that's a little helpful!
YoBear out.
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ki0eh
Forum Elder
Posts: 196
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Post by ki0eh on Apr 21, 2015 12:48:03 GMT -5
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Post by aseege1 on Apr 22, 2015 10:54:30 GMT -5
Key's Gap parking just south of Harper's Ferry has a past reputation of break-ins and vandalism. Have not heard any recent reports, but I know its history has deterred hikers from parking there.
I've camped at Bond's Landing in Green Ridge State Forest in MD on the C&O. It's a nice site to camp, and pretty cheap compared the Nat'l Park.
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tomas
Junior Member
Posts: 12
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Post by tomas on Apr 23, 2015 11:03:53 GMT -5
Also: Has anyone camped on the C&O canal? The same o'night parking concerns are in my mind there. One exception is the Antietam Creek campground. You can park just over the canal from the campsites. According to the NPS website for the canal camping is free. I had thought that last year they charged a fee.
The C&O parking can be problematic for night parking not because of break-ins, but because of differing regulations. Some of the lots have signs that clearly say the park is closes at dusk, yet as you point out there are camp sites. And I know other places that do not have the signs and people park there for night fishing. In general I'd say you're going to be ok, but don't be surprised if you find a ticket on the windshield the next morning.
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rpcv
Forum Elder
Posts: 170
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Post by rpcv on Apr 27, 2015 11:10:08 GMT -5
The campsites on the C&O are still free. The NPS held a public comment period recently (earlier this year) on the concept of charging for them. I'm not sure where they are in the decision process, but I'm guessing it is unlikely that any fees would start this year. I'm not sure about parking along the C&O and where overnight parking is allowed. My experience with camping along it is limited to two bike trips along it and we were lucky enough to have a friend drive shuttle for us.
I have seen broken glass at the Weverton Cliffs lot, but I haven't parked there in a couple of years, so I don't know what the situation is now. As you noted, it is a large lot and is busy on weekends. The website that KiOeh linked is a wealth of information on AT trailhead parking.
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