Best Campgrounds near Accident, MD

The Garrett County region surrounding Accident, Maryland provides several established campgrounds within a 20-mile radius, many concentrated near Deep Creek Lake. State parks dominate the camping landscape with Deep Creek Lake State Park, Swallow Falls State Park, and New Germany State Park offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The area supports both lakeside camping and forest experiences, with elevation changes creating distinct camping microclimates throughout the region. Most campgrounds maintain facilities ranging from basic toilets to full shower houses, and many sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof storage containers.

Camping accessibility varies significantly by season, with many facilities operating from April through December but scaling back in winter months. Some campgrounds like New Germany State Park and Savage River State Forest remain open year-round despite harsh winter conditions. "Although it was a bit crowded, it did not feel claustrophobic," noted one visitor about Deep Creek Lake State Park, highlighting the balance between popularity and comfort at established sites. Road access requires careful navigation on some routes, particularly to Mill Run Recreation Area where campers report steep, rough single-lane dirt roads making access challenging for larger vehicles or trailers.

Developed campgrounds near water sources consistently receive higher ratings from visitors, with Deep Creek Lake State Park drawing particular praise for its beach access and hiking trails. Sites with electrical hookups fill quickly during summer months, especially on weekends when families gravitate toward water recreation opportunities. A camper described the Deep Creek Lake area as having "the perfect amount of sun for an afternoon nap after a short hike," reflecting the combination of outdoor activities and relaxation available. Wildlife encounters are common, with many reviews mentioning deer sightings and preparations for black bears. The camping experience transitions dramatically between busy summer tourism season and quieter shoulder seasons, with one visitor reporting only six occupied sites out of 112 after Labor Day at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Best Camping Sites Near Accident, Maryland (135)

    1. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    82 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $20 - $54 / night

    "Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."

    "Options to get there include the steep walking trail where bikes are allowed to be walked but not ridden, riding the 3.5 miles along the road, also very steep, or taking a shuttle from downtown Ohiopyle"

    2. Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Oakland, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-6938

    $22 - $33 / night

    "Thirdly, the campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see. We went to see the falls and they were within walking distance from our campsite. Overall, it was an awesome place to camp."

    "Camp ground was just a few minute drive away from the entrance to the trail. Trails were easy enough for kids. Camp site itself was nice and clean but felt a little too close to each other."

    3. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mchenry, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-5563

    $21 - $65 / night

    "Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."

    "Lots of touristy things around the lake, then you drive by lots of vacation homes on the lakeshore and then you pull into the camp and you feel like you are miles away from all that stuff."

    4. Savage River State Forest

    18 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5759

    "This was a beautiful state forest, with two state parks sort of bordering it (Big Run & New Germany). The roads were all paved which was nice."

    "Very remote western Maryland Appalachia. Sites are right off park road, are huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites. River runs along the sites."

    5. New Germany State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $117 / night

    "New Germany State Park is a pleasant location with a small lake for swimming and kayaking, as well as numerous trails in the wooded mountains of western Maryland."

    "New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."

    6. Outflow Camping

    15 Reviews
    Confluence, PA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $155 / night

    "It was an easy short walk to the parking lot.  The campground has easy access to the bike trail.  You can see bikers camping in a certain spot for the special rate of $14.00 per biker. "

    "Great access to the Allegheny bike trail and all the small towns near. No shade over campsites."

    7. Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run

    12 Reviews
    Confluence, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8531

    $29 - $62 / night

    "Incredibly clean & close To everything. Located right beside Ohiopyle and Yough Lake dam. There is a beach in campground but found the drive to Yough lake perfect."

    "Creekside sites felt smaller and more crowded than lakeside sites, which open onto the beach and lake. Guests were very friendly and considerate of quiet hours."

    8. Big Run State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bloomington, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5453

    $10 - $55 / night

    "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."

    "You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "

    9. Coopers Rock State Forest

    32 Reviews
    Dellslow, WV
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 594-1561

    $25 - $35 / night

    "It's a popular hiking destination that's relatively close to Morgantown, so it gets pretty crowded in the summer and I would suggest arriving early if you're going to"

    "There is a great access to the trails from the campsite and a short walk to the overlook. Depending upon your location the bathrooms can be a hike. Sites 3-7 are good locations."

    10. Tall Oaks Campground

    10 Reviews
    Farmington, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-4777

    $16 - $45 / night

    "Very large tent site and surrounded by woods. Not close to your neighbor like most campgrounds. Peaceful! Van Life sites are tucked away in the woods for privacy. Open fields for large groups."

    "Call in advance and reserve one of the sites that is up the hill farther away from people."

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Recent Reviews near Accident, MD

853 Reviews of 135 Accident Campgrounds


  • Gina T.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Loved it!

    This was our first experience camping.  We just retired and rented a camper for a trial run and we just loved it.  It was quiet there and I slept like a baby.  Very positive experience.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Good place to stay for a night

    This is a good place to stay in an area along Hwy 50 where there aren’t many other options. The host was friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and safe. The bathrooms are fine with a good shower and hot water. There is a swimming pool although it was closed for the season when I was here.

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    Ok for a quick overnight

    Due to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • Jennifer S.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fox Den Acres Campground

    Nice campground, close to home

    Friendly people. Clean. Only downside is only one bathhouse/restroom, hampering g the no #2 in camper. LoL

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    Great dispersed sites!

    We only drove down to the second site, but it was awesome! Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.


Guide to Accident

The camping spots near Accident, Maryland sit at elevations ranging from 2,300 to 2,800 feet in the Allegheny Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures that typically stay 5-10 degrees below surrounding lowland areas. The region's microclimate means campers often need warmer sleeping gear even in summer months, as nighttime temperatures can drop into the 50s during July and August.

What to do

Creek exploration: Swallow Falls State Park offers access to multiple waterways including the Youghiogheny River. "The trails to the namesake falls are beautiful and very family-friendly, with lots of helpful signage. However, the parking lots and trailheads were PACKED on the weekend, so if you're a day tripper, get there early!" according to reviewer Jen V. The park contains Maryland's tallest waterfall at 53 feet.

Mountain biking: Ohiopyle State Park connects directly to extensive trail networks. One camper noted, "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground." The park serves as a hub for cyclists with trails suitable for various skill levels.

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. At Big Run State Park, "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," reports camper Nathan S. The area's streams support both fly fishing and traditional angling with multiple public access points.

What campers like

Natural swimming areas: Many campers appreciate cooling off in the region's waters. At New Germany State Park, "The small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful." The beach areas typically have gradual entries without lifeguards.

Wildlife viewing: Forested sites offer excellent animal observation opportunities. At Savage River State Forest, "We spotted a raccoon, a bunny, a chipmunk, and (along the nearby roads) lots of deer—don't drive too fast!" The area supports abundant wildlife including beavers, foxes, and over 100 bird species.

Firefly displays: Summer campers frequently mention the light shows. As one camper at Deep Creek Lake State Park described: "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night." Peak firefly season runs from mid-June through early July, particularly in less-developed camping areas.

What you should know

Campsite spacing varies dramatically: While some campgrounds offer secluded sites, others place campers closer together. At Tub Run Recreation Area, "Creekside sites felt smaller and more crowded than lakeside sites, which open onto the beach and lake." Research specific site dimensions when reserving.

Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal connectivity. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "The camp Wi-Fi isn't the best but we did have cell service with Consumer Cellular (AT&T Towers) and were able to work while we camped." Only developed areas near towns provide reliable connectivity.

Seasonal bathhouse operations: Not all facilities remain open year-round. A camper at New Germany noted, "There is one bathroom that offers warm showers. If you're camping at sites 14-26, the walk may seem a bit long to use the john." Many primitive campgrounds have pit toilets only with no shower facilities.

Tips for camping with families

Interactive nature programs: Several parks run scheduled activities. "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center," notes one visitor to New Germany State Park. Programs typically run on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Playground options: When children need breaks from hiking, dedicated play areas help. At Savage River State Forest, "There are some shallow swimming holes that are nice when it's hot." Most developed campgrounds include basic playground structures.

Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important for families. "Bears are common so they emplaced a big old bear box at every site. It's enough room to hold your food for a month of camping!" shares a camper from Deep Creek Lake. Bear activity increases from June through September.

Tips from RVers

Access challenges: Many forest roads present difficulties. At Outflow Camping Area, "The tent site I was in was also nicely designed, with a tent 'pad', as well as full campfire ring, picnic table, and lantern hanging hook. There are tent, RV, and group sites at this campground." Most RV sites accommodate units under 30 feet in length.

Hookup availability: Electric connections exist at several campgrounds but vary in quality. A Tub Run camper noted, "Roads are easy to navigate and equipment all works well. Staff are very friendly and helpful." Water connections are less common than electric hookups throughout the region.

Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. At Deep Creek Lake, "We were told there were regular bear sightings and there were bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear." Many campgrounds without onsite dump stations direct RVers to nearby facilities within a 15-20 minute drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Accident, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Accident, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 135 campgrounds and RV parks near Accident, MD and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Accident, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Accident, MD is Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 82 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Accident, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Accident, MD.

What parks are near Accident, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Accident, MD that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Jennings Randolph Lake.