Boating, fishing, and hiking all draw campers to Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground, a state-managed facility in Swanton, Maryland that sits close enough to the water to make lake access a central part of any stay. Bass fishing gets solid marks from visitors, and the lake itself supports a range of water sports. The campground is walking distance from the beach, and the surrounding trails give hikers a way to stretch their legs between time on the water. Wildlife sightings, including black bear, raccoon, and deer along the paths, are common enough that each site comes equipped with a bear box.
The campground runs through forested and more open terrain, and site quality varies noticeably. Reviewers consistently recommend checking the site map before booking, since some sites are large and private while others amount to little more than a patch of grass. Gravel pads are packed hard at certain sites, which can make tent staking difficult. "Spacious campsite and level with plenty of things to do," notes Jeff S., though the experience depends heavily on which loop and site number you land on. Site 12 requires an unconventional approach, pulling into site 11 first to back in properly. Site 13, by contrast, is notably large.
Crowds are a recurring theme in reviews, particularly during summer weekends when boaters fill the campground. The vibe shifts in shoulder season: late June brings warm days and cool nights, and a late October visit can mean a quieter stay with good foliage. Cell service on Verizon runs reliably. Bathrooms and shower facilities are well-maintained, and the campground stays clean even at peak capacity. Nearby Blue Moon Rising and Double G Campground give campers additional options in the region if the state park is fully booked.
The campground is open April 15 through December 15, with nightly rates from $21 to $65. RVs up to 30 feet can access electric hookups. Reservations are available and strongly advisable for summer stays. The discovery center on-site includes live animals as part of its educational programs. Restaurants, markets, and attractions like Wisp Ski Resort are close by, and FireFly Farms in nearby Accident, MD, comes recommended for local cheese and provisions. This campground works best for campers who want lake access and established amenities rather than a remote or rustic experience.
Description
Deep Creek Lake State Park is located in Western Maryland’s Garrett County. The park encompasses over 1,800 acres and adjoins Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area and its 3,900-acre man-made lake. Deep Creek Lake camping lies just west of the Allegheny Front on a large plateau known as the Tablelands or Allegany Highlands. Its location at the southernmost end of Meadow Mountain places it west of the Eastern Continental Divide and within the Mississippi River watershed. The park gets its name from the lake, which was a hydroelectric project, constructed on Deep Creek in the 1920's by the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company. The Deep Creek Lake State Park Complex also includes Sang Run State Park and the Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area. Deep Creek Lake Camping offers 112 campsites, 26 electrics sites, a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, and a wildlife resistant food storage box on each site. They also have heated bathhouses, a dump station, freshwater fill up spot, free boat trailer parking, overnight dock slip use, and even some mini cabins and other lodging options! The park itself offers a sandy lakefront area, fishing areas, bathrooms, playgrounds, and hiking and biking trails. All in all, the park encompasses 1,800 acres!!
Features include: 86 basic sites and 26 electric sites Two Mini Cabins - The mini cabins sleep six people and have electricity, heat, (no water) and beds. Users must provide their own linens. Pets are not permitted. Includes a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post One Yurt - The yurt sleeps six people and has electricity, heat, (no water) and beds. Users must provide their own linens. Pets are not permitted. Includes a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post Bear Den - A three sided Adirondack-style shelter with the open side facing out into the forest (Site 72). Includes a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, wildlife box, stone fire place and raised sleeping platform Delphia Brant is a pet-free loop Heated bathhouses Dump station Freshwater fill up Free boat trailer overnight parking registration Overnight dock slip use
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDeep Creek Lake State Park Campground is located in Maryland near Mchenry
Address
898 State Park Rd
Swanton, MD 21561
Coordinates
39.51600072 N
79.3100004 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/30/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 42 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 19 min from Johnstown, PA
- 1 hr 49 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 2 hrs 1 min from Winchester, VA
