NPS · Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · Potomac, MD

Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite

Mile 16.6 - Hiker-biker campgrounds are located along the towpath approximately every 5-7 miles. No fee or reservation required. Overnight stays are limited to one night. All sites include a chemical toilet, picnic table, grill, and water. If you use this water, you are advised to filter, chemically treat, or boil before use. Water is turned off from mid-November to mid-April each year.

First-come, first-servedFree

More like this: first-come in Maryland · free in Maryland

Swains Lock Campsite
Photo courtesy of NPS/ S. Spencer · Recreation.gov

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.11 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.60 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.66 inches of precipitationApril: 3.23 inches of precipitationMay: 3.55 inches of precipitationJune: 3.96 inches of precipitationJuly: 3.98 inches of precipitationAugust: 3.05 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.01 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.52 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.27 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.38 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 34.5°F averageFebruary: 36.7°F averageMarch: 44.8°F averageApril: 55.7°F averageMay: 64.6°F averageJune: 72.9°F averageJuly: 78.0°F averageAugust: 75.9°F averageSeptember: 68.7°F averageOctober: 57.0°F averageNovember: 46.9°F averageDecember: 38.5°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Rockville 1 NE, 7 miles from the campground at 440 feet, station USC00187705 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 41 inches a year.

Getting there

Nearest townPotomac, Maryland
Coordinates39.0310° N, 77.2446° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable.
  • Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗6.3 mi
Outdoor gearL.L.Bean ↗7 mi
RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗26.6 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Limited data for this unit

No site-by-site records, no amenities, no fee schedule or directions in the Recreation.gov record. What is here comes from the agency's own listing. The rest lives there.

Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the record fills in.

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite?

No. Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite Official Website

How much does it cost to camp at Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite?

Nothing. Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite is listed as free.

Source: Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite Official Website

Is there cell service at Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is the nearest town to Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite?

Potomac, Maryland.

Source: Getting there

What if Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Marsden Tract Group Campsite (3.9 mi), Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (8.6 mi, first-come), and Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (13.2 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite in?

Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite is a Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park