Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
Chisel Branch Hiker Biker Campsite is a serene and welcoming destination nestled along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath in Poolesville, Maryland. This campsite offers a unique experience for outdoor enthusiasts, providing a mix of nature and convenience. Whether you're passing through on a hiking or biking adventure or planning to stay for a few days, Chisel Branch is an ideal base for exploring the great outdoors.
Located in a picturesque setting near the Potomac River, the campsite is part of the larger network of trails that make up the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The area offers a quiet retreat from urban life while still being close to major attractions like Washington D.C. and its famous monuments.
Chisel Branch Hiker Biker Campsite is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors while staying close to urban attractions. With its clean facilities, convenient access to water and trails, and welcoming atmosphere, it's no wonder that visitors return time and again to experience this hidden gem in Maryland.
Campsite is fine, consistent with most others. Not many trees for hammocking. BUT the well water from THIS pump tastes pretty darn good. Many of the other pumps taste varying degrees of rust and often smell like sewage even after the Sawyer filter. This spot is a great place to filter and fill up!
Chisel branch doesn't have dedicated sites like Swains Lock but is spacious enough for easily 10 groups to set up tents. There's river access via two trails on either end of the campsite. Two picnic tables and two fixed fire pits and one standing grill. Well and porta John too. You'll get airplane traffic for bothe DCA and IAD but traffic noise is relatively low.
It's very quiet this morning. I'm down here on the Towpath everyday. It's one of my favorite places to go.
A beautiful view of the Potomac River (other campsites can have obstructed views). Level and grassy space for numerous tents. One picnic table. Two grills/fire rings. Water pump: squeaky...treated with iodine...drank plenty of it and had no issues. One well kept port-a-potty. Bonus: Paw Paw grove immediately upstream. Short trail to the river, space for fishing, sitting and enjoying the view. You may hear Dulles air traffic...you may also hear road traffic across the river (Virginia side). Overall, we really enjoyed it and met our expectations.
Right off the C&O Canal Towpath, this area has 2 camp sites with 1 picnic table and 1 fire pit each and a shared well. The water was turned off when we stayed there (28 Nov) but we had a filter and there is easy access to the river. Lots of easily available firewood, though seems like in warmer months there is a LOT of undergrowth and lots of poison ivy. Beautiful river view and lots of bird life! Bald eagles, pileated woodpeckers, cardinals, and more!