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

Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite

Mile 30.5 - 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 drinking water. Water is treated with iodine. Please plan to have water purification tablets with you. Water is turned off from November 15 to April 15 each year.

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

Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) CampsiteSign at Chisel Branch campsite
Photos courtesy of Stephanie Spencer, NPS photo · Recreation.gov

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.12 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.63 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.79 inches of precipitationApril: 3.45 inches of precipitationMay: 4.92 inches of precipitationJune: 4.61 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.06 inches of precipitationAugust: 3.65 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.13 inches of precipitationOctober: 4.04 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.21 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.48 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 33.4°F averageFebruary: 35.7°F averageMarch: 43.4°F averageApril: 54.5°F averageMay: 63.8°F averageJune: 72.6°F averageJuly: 77.2°F averageAugust: 75.7°F averageSeptember: 68.5°F averageOctober: 56.6°F averageNovember: 45.6°F averageDecember: 37.4°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Wfo Sterling, 9 miles from the campground at 288 feet, station USC00448084 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 45 inches a year.

Getting there

Nearest townPoolesville, Maryland
Coordinates39.1022° N, 77.4730° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Potable water may not be available at each campsite.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearGood Wolf Gear ↗11.3 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗12.5 mi
RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗21.4 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 Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite?

No. Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Official Website

How much does it cost to camp at Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite?

Nothing. Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite is listed as free.

Source: Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite Official Website

Is there cell service at Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite?

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

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is the nearest town to Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite?

Poolesville, Maryland.

Source: Getting there

What if Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Turtle Run Hiker-Biker Campsite (3.4 mi, first-come), Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite (4.6 mi, first-come), and Marble Quarry Hiker-Biker Campsite (5.5 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) Campsite in?

Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (Hbo) 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