National Park Service · Maryland
Swains Lock Hiker-Biker Campsite
National Park Service · Maryland, United States · in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Sites
- 5
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Walk-in, tent-only site: free. No fee, first come, first served
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Elevation
- 161 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 5
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Nearest town
- Potomac
- Address
- Potomac, MD, 20854
- Phone
- (301) 739-4200
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
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.
Please Note: Water at hiker-biker campsites is non-potable. Water is not treated and not for drinking or cooking. 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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 27° | 9° | 57° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 45° | 31° | 12° | 69° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 56° | 39° | 18° | 75° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 69° | 49° | 29° | 90° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 74° | 58° | 43° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 65° | 56° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 89° | 72° | 62° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 86° | 71° | 63° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 80° | 66° | 52° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 50° | 39° | 84° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 53° | 40° | 27° | 73° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 44° | 33° | 17° | 66° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Trailhead · 6.7 mi as the crow flies
Turkey Run Woods Trail 1.0 mi Hike, Turkey Run Loop Trail 0.6 mi Hike · Drive there - Trailhead · 6.9 mi as the crow flies
Turkey Run Woods Trail 1.0 mi Hike, Turkey Run Area C Trail 0.2 mi Hike · Drive there - Trailhead · 7.0 mi as the crow flies
Turkey Run Area B Trail 0.3 mi Hike · Drive there
All 257 trails in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · All 79 trails in George Washington Memorial Parkway
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite · National Park Service · 4 mi · 6 sites
- Lake Fairfax Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 6 mi · 136 sites
- Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight (HBO) Campsite · National Park Service · 13 mi · 1 sites
- Little Bennett Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi · 91 sites
All public campgrounds in Maryland · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.