Campgrounds and RV parks near Bowling Green, MD

Bowling Green is a small community in Allegany County in Western Maryland, sitting just south of Cumberland along the Potomac River corridor. The area is defined by the ridges of the Appalachians, the C&O Canal towpath, and easy access to both Maryland state forests and West Virginia public lands across the river. RV renters use it as a base for the canal, the Great Allegheny Passage, and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Camping options range from primitive National Park Service sites to private RV parks with hookups. Spring Gap Campground is one of five drive-in campgrounds within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and it is open year-round. Eagle's Nest Campground, Hidden Springs Campground, Millesons Walnut Grove Campground, and Middle Ridge Campground fill in the private and full-hookup options within a short drive. The mix suits most rigs: small Class B and Class C renters can use the canal sites, while larger travel trailers and Class A rentals should target the private parks with pull-through pads and utilities.

National Park Service sites at Spring Gap Campground are booked through Recreation.gov, with reservations available up to six months in advance of the arrival date. Reservations are required at all C&O Canal drive-in campgrounds, and paying at the campground is not an option. The two group sites at Spring Gap can hold up to 30 people each, and a minimum of nine people is required to reserve them. Private campgrounds in the area, including Eagle's Nest Campground, Hidden Springs Campground, Millesons Walnut Grove Campground, and Middle Ridge Campground, generally take reservations directly by phone or through their own websites. Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day should be booked several weeks out. RV renters should confirm site length before booking. Trailers can be no longer than 20 feet at Spring Gap, and the road through the campground ends in a loop, so turning around is manageable.