Swains Lock Hiker/Biker Campsite

We enjoyed staying at this site. The trouble that we had that we lost one night of stay there was whether or not to park you can park there even though there are signs posting you can’t park, you’re not allowed to sleep in your vehicle Camping there was great and another drawback would be you have to haul your stuff about .4 of a mile to the actual camp site. there was five sides to choose from it was nice peaceful.Beautiful views along the Chesapeake, Ohio Canal

This is a great last stop while bikepacking Pitt to DC. Right off the trail and down by the river. Five sites, and mine is flat and plenty big. There is potable water (not treated with iodine) up by the lock, and 4 porta potties presently. The small waterfall nearby will be great white noise at night. Overall, nice place to camp for a night.

What a beautiful, quiet, and small campsite. It’s really tucked in and hidden behind a trail, which means it can be quiet, but also have a lot of foot traffic. There are no more than 8 sites so be sure to get your spot locked in! I LOVE that this is right along the river. It’s also incredibly close to Great Falls, if you want to walk 3.5 miles on the towpath to get there.

Parking is limited but it's a great spot to access the campsite and has access to running water. Just be careful because some parking spaces say no overnight parking. I don't know if this is for the whole lot or just specific areas so be careful so you don't get towed.

This campsite had a day-use area on one side and 5 campsites, each with a picnic table and a fire pit. Not very much available firewood on the ground (quite picked over), but lots across the canal in the wooded area (nearby bridge makes that easy). Beautiful view of river but difficult access (steep banks about 10 feed straight down for most of it). Lovely flocks of merganser ducks and canada geese in late Nov in the morning. 4-5 port-a-potties up by the C&O path, campsite is downhill from it. Try to arrive with some daylight left or else it is difficult to find exactly where the campsites are.