Campgrounds and RV parks near Cumberland, MD

The C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage meet in downtown Cumberland, giving cyclists a continuous rail-trail route between Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh. From Spring Gap Campground, riders can pedal the flat, crushed-limestone towpath into town, with fishing and kayak access to the Potomac River from the campground's boat ramp for kayakers and anglers. A Maryland Fishing License is required for those age 16 or older. In town, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad runs excursion trains through the mountains, and the Allegany Museum, Gordon-Roberts House, and C&O Canal Cumberland Visitor Center cover regional history. Rocky Gap State Park, a short drive east on I-68, adds a lake beach, swimming, and hiking trails to the mix.

Cumberland has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid with daytime highs in the low eighties Fahrenheit, and this is peak booking season for family-oriented private parks around Rocky Gap. Sites at Hidden Springs Campground, Millesons Walnut Grove Campground, and other pool-and-pond parks tend to fill weeks ahead for July weekends and holidays. Spring and fall bring cooler nights and lighter crowds. Fall is often considered the best window along the canal for foliage and comfortable riding weather, with crisp overnight temperatures and lower humidity. Hand pump water at Spring Gap Campground is available April 15 to November 1; outside those dates, campers must bring their own potable water. Winter is cold, with snow common between December and February. Most private campgrounds in the region operate on a seasonal calendar, typically opening in late April or May and closing at the end of October, so year-round options are limited to the national park drive-in sites and a few resort-style parks.

Spring Gap Campground is a primitive drive-in area with 12 single sites and two group sites, with pit and portable toilets available. Sites 3-7, 12, and 14 can fit a small RV, trailer, or pop-up up to 20 feet in length, and there are no hookups. The area is flat and shaded but offers little privacy between sites, and trains on the adjacent rail line and traffic on Route 51 can be audible at night. Private parks in the Cumberland area generally offer full or partial hookups, bathhouses, laundry, pools, and family activities. Cell coverage varies across the mountains and river valleys, so travelers relying on connectivity should confirm carrier service with the campground before arrival.