Camping in the rain is all about preparation and owning more water-resistant gear than you think you’ll ever need.
A few weeks before my “Spring into Summer” camping trip along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal, the forecast promised sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and all the ingredients for a perfect mid-week excursion. I was already picturing peaceful bike rides, lazy afternoons floating down the river, and evenings around the campfire.
As the trip got closer, each weather update became more dramatic than the last. Rising river levels and fast-moving currents quickly crossed tubing and kayaking off the itinerary. Fortunately, I still had great company for camping and biking, proving that good adventures don’t always go according to plan.
The C&O Canal was originally built to transport coal, lumber, and other goods along the Potomac River. Today, it’s preserved as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, where visitors can hike, bike, camp, and follow the same historic towpath once traveled by mule teams pulling canal boats.
Camping here is about as close to “roughing it” as I like to get. The sites are primitive, with a picnic table, a fire ring, a hand pump for water, and the ever-luxurious porta-potty. No electricity. No showers. No Wi-Fi. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that the best parts of camping aren’t the amenities, but the quiet mornings, crackling campfires, and time spent outdoors.
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