Random Camping - A Few Ideas

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

12-14-08 | 09:45 AM

#51

Neil_B

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamawani

I grant you that the camping is in designated sites; however, the campsites are every 5 miles, there is zero car camping, and on weekdays you are likely to be the only one there. For just outside of Washington, DC - it's about as good as it gets.

There is at least one car campsite on the C & O, but I agree with you about the hiker-biker sites. During my August ride, even on a Saturday night 42 miles from DC I had the Indian Flats camp to myself.

12-16-08 | 08:29 AM

#52

balto charlie

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 2,930

Likes: 156

From: Baltimore/DC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamawani

Actually, Balto -

There's a lot more than you think. The C & O Canal Trail gets you into some quiet territory very quickly. West of Harpers Ferry it gets really nice. And west of Hancock it gets sublime.

But there's more. Maryland has state wildlife management areas - many of which permit camping. While not exactly random - outside of hunting season, you are likely to be the only one there.
https://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/allwmabyregion.asp

Same goes for Virginia and for Penna state forests.
https://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry...Guidelines.pdf

Here are three:
MD - Deal Island on the Eastern Shore
https://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclan...n/dealmap.html
(Call about the kayaker site on Broad Creek)
PENNA - Michaux State Forest
https://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry...s/michaux.aspx
VA - Highland WMA
https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=28

You're right. There are a few spots here and there. Pennsylvania and I have done battle more than once. So much private "No Trespassing" land it isn't funny. If you kayak the rivers(legal right-of-way) many farms/hunting cabins/ etc will not let you take out on their banks. Virginia has the George Washington Nat For. which is excellent but often over run by 4 wheelers and hunters. I just did the C&O/GAT in 3 days this summer but all of it is designated camping and gets pretty crowded as you near DC. Highland Va is beautiful but a long drive. WVa(Canaan Valley) is much closer, almost heaven. West VA is still the most wild of all the nearby outdoor spots.....anything goes!