Page 62 - Garrett County 2022/2023 Visitors Guide

Community Profile: STATE PARKS Outdoor Experiences
destination for swimming, boating and fishing. Looping through the surrounding forest are
12 miles of trails that attract hikers and bikers. Cross-country skiers will find 10 miles of trails for beginners to intermediate skiers, as well as a 5.5-mile trail that connects Herrington Manor to Swallow Falls State Park. Year-round, 20 furnished log cabins are available for rental.
New Germany State Park
301.895.5453
Named by early settlers based on its resemblance to their homeland, New Germany is located 5 miles south of Grantsville. In the summer, the park’s lake is popular for boating, fishing and swimming. In fall, it highlights the colorful tableau of
the changing leaves. Exhibits at the Nature Center introduce guests to the native wildlife.
Sang Run State Park
301.387.5563 (year-round), 301.387.3225 (May-September)
Explore an early-1800s home site, farm
and store. At the historic Friends Store,
buy penny candy, old-time soda, local jams and various souvenirs. Nature programs during the summer months include hay rides, guided bird hikes and Dutch-oven demonstrations.
Swallow Falls State Park
301.387.6938
The Youghiogheny River flows through this park just north of Oakland, creating some of Maryland’s most beautiful scenery. Both the Youghigheny and Muddy Creek are marked by waterfalls and violent rapids, making them challenging destinations for skilled white-water rafters. Muddy Creek Falls is Maryland’s highest waterfall, at 53 feet high.
Wolf Den Run State Park
301.334.9180 (office/reservations), 301.616.3619 (on-site duty ranger)
Wolf Den Run State Park includes 1,700 acres of mixed forest, three brook trout streams, and rocky bluffs rising 900 feet above the Potomac River. The park’s trails are open for hiking, biking and off-road vehicle use.
Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area
301.387.5563
Designated as Maryland’s first Scenic & Wild River, this part of the Youghiogheny runs from Miller’s Run to Friendsville. It includes serene, meandering stretches as well as dramatic falls and rapids. Public access points are at Swallow Falls State Park, in the Sang Run area off Sang Run Road and south along the Kendall Trail from Friendsville. Several rafting companies lead tours of the river, including Precision Rafting and Wilderness Voyageurs.
MARYLAND STATE FORESTS
Garrett State Forest
301.334.2038
Mountain forests, streams and valleys stretch over nearly 7,000 acres of protected land, 5 miles northwest of Oakland. The area’s many wildlife species make this a great area for birding; visitors may also encounter beaver ponds and cranberry bogs. Backpack camping is permitted throughout the forest.
Potomac State Forest
301.334.2038
Bordering 9 miles of the Potomac River’s North Branch, this rugged mountain forest encompasses 11,535 acres. Its highest elevation is 3,220 feet, on Backbone Mountain. Cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling are popular activities. An archery range offers a fun challenge in the form of 30 life-size, three- dimensional targets.
Savage River State Forest
301.895.5759
At more than 54,000 acres, this is Maryland’s largest state forest. The Big Savage Trail is an excellent destination for experienced hikers with good navigation skills, as portions of the scenic trail
can become overgrown by forest-floor
vegetation. Horseback riding, hunting and camping are all permitted in designated areas of the forest. Hunters and other shooting enthusiasts can take advantage of a shooting range on New Germany Road.
LAKES
FEDERAL
Jennings Randolph Lake
304.355.2346 (Corps of Engineers Office)
This 6.6-mile-long lake is tucked between Garrett County and Mineral County, West Virginia. Originally built to manage flood risk and secure water supply, Jennings Randolph is also a recreational destination, with areas for fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. The lake provides sanctuary for many species of birds, fish and other animals.
Youghiogheny River Lake
814.395.3242 (Corps of Engineers Office), 814.395.3166 (daily recreation info) Completed in 1943, Youghiogheny River Lake has prevented flood damages estimated at more than $1.59 billion. It spans the Mason-Dixon Line between Pennsylvania and Maryland, with clean water and steep valleys making for a scenic setting. Populations of trout, walleye and smallmouth bass make the lake a popular fishing destination.
60 The Deep Creek Experience
Off-road Vehicles
Both ORVs and snowmobiles are permitted in certain areas of all three state forests. ORVs must be registered annually with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers can be picked up at any DNR Regional Service Center, and trail maps are available at each State Forest office.
PHOTO BY NICK SHARPS