McCoy's Ferry Campground

McCoy’s Ferry Campground is a public tent and RV campground located in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Clear Spring, Maryland. The cozy campground sits by the Potomac River, across from the Fort Frederick State Park. With lush greenery surrounding the campground and gorgeous views of the Western Maryland Mountains visible from some of the sites, McCoy’s Ferry Campground is the ideal destination for both relaxation and outdoor adventures.

The dog-friendly campground consists of 12 single-family sites, all of which are drive-in and first-come-first-served. Each campsite can accommodate up to eight persons and an RV up to 20 feet. Since visitors have to pass through a tunnel to reach the campground, vehicle height is also capped at 10 feet. In addition to the single sites, there is a group site that can host up to 30 people, perfect for large family gatherings or reunions with friends.  Each campsite comes with a grill, fire ring, and a picnic table. Sites start at $10 per night.

Although the campground is equipped with drinking water, the hand pump is only available between April and November. On the plus side, the campground features both pit toilets and portable toilets. There is plenty of space to walk the dogs, too; please make sure to pack dog waste bags and clean up after your four-legged friends. Note that there are no trash cans at the park, and you're expected to pack out all your trash. Although quiet most of the time, there are train tracks nearby that can cause some noise at night.

There are various hiking trails nearby, such as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail, though most patrons stay at the campground for the fishing and boating opportunities. Not only do the visitors have close access to the Potomac River, but there is also a boat ramp conveniently located on-site which enables easy access too. Make sure you have a Maryland fishing license on you when on the water if you plan to do more than just kayaking down the river. For history buffs, the historic Fort Frederick is a must visit!