Camping areas around Accident, Maryland sit in the mountainous western portion of the state at elevations around 2,400 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures 10-15 degrees below nearby cities. This region of the Alleghenies features numerous state forests and parks with primitive and developed camping options. Water features prominently in the area's campgrounds, with several sites offering access to rivers, lakes, and streams.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 2 miles of falls and rapids at Swallow Falls State Park Campground offer multiple photo opportunities. The park features "Muddy Creek Falls, the largest falls in Maryland, 53 feet" along with "several other falls on the Youghiogheny River." The trails between waterfalls are "well kept" and suitable for most fitness levels.
Water activities: Swimming in mountain lakes provides relief during summer months. At Herrington Manor, "the small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful." Many campers mention the water is "crystal clear" but note some swimming areas have "sharp stones on the bottom."
Mountain biking: Access to regional trail systems makes this area popular with cyclists. At Ohiopyle State Park, "we loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," which connects to a larger regional trail network. One camper mentioned using the campground as a convenient base camp for both "biking and visiting Fallingwater."
Fishing: Stream and lake access available at multiple campgrounds. Savage River State Forest provides "plenty of hiking in the park and in the adjacent parks" with "places to swim nearby." One visitor noted that "from one end of the reservoir to the other on a kayak is about 2 hours" with "hiking options endless although some are hard to spot."
What campers like
Natural features: Firefly displays create memorable evenings at many area campgrounds. One camper at Swallow Falls State Park Campground described "a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night." Several visitors mentioned the dense forest setting contributes to excellent firefly viewing conditions.
Campsite privacy: Well-spaced sites at Savage River State Forest where "the sites are very spread out, and not very consistent in size/quality." A visitor noted "the sites are spaced far enough apart that we didn't see or hear anyone else" and another mentioned the campground gives "a lot" because "each campsite was 50-100ft away from each other at least."
Wildlife viewing: Deer and small mammals are commonly seen throughout area campgrounds. At New Germany State Park Campground, "deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area." Campers regularly report spotting "a raccoon, a bunny, a chipmunk, and along the nearby roads lots of deer."
Fresh mountain air: Cooler temperatures even in summer months make for comfortable camping. One visitor noted "summer temps usually do not get as nice 85 max most of the summer" and another mentioned "it's at least 10 degrees cooler out here" compared to surrounding areas during late August.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Bear-resistant containers are provided at many sites. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground has "bear boxes at each site" which one camper described as "big old bear box at every site. It's enough room to hold your food for a month of camping!" Rangers actively monitor for bear activity.
Limited cell service: Prepare for disconnection at most campgrounds in this area. Campers report "no/very limited cell service" at Deep Creek Lake, while another mentioned "we had no cell service at all for most of the area" in the Savage River region. Consider downloading offline maps before arrival.
Campground closures: Seasonal operation affects availability. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate between April and December, with Deep Creek Lake State Park open "April 15 to December 15" and Swallow Falls running "April to December." Always check current operating dates before planning a trip.
Firewood restrictions: Local wood only due to pest control regulations. Campers are required to "use local wood" which is "available at nearby convenience stores" at most campgrounds. Several parks offer firewood for purchase on-site.
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas: Stream access provides natural entertainment for children. At Big Run State Park Campground, "the kids loved playing in the water" with sites that are "right by the creek." The stream had "pools deep enough to sit in and get fairly wet" with "plenty of crayfish and trout" for children to observe.
Playground facilities: Kid-friendly spaces at select campgrounds offer additional activities. Tub Run Recreation Area features "a swimming area" that is "lovely as is the playground" with "lots of places for kids to run around and explore." One visitor noted it was "a great place to go kayaking while we were there."
Nature programs: Educational opportunities at visitor centers enhance children's experiences. Several state parks offer "critter centers" and nature education programs during peak season, with New Germany State Park featuring "a small jungle gym and critter center" for young visitors.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Accident: Pet loops accommodate four-legged family members. The Hemlock loop at New Germany State Park is "the only loop that allows pets" while one camper noted "there are very limited sites that you can have a pet with you" at some other campgrounds in the area.
Tips from RVers
Electric sites: Limited availability requires advance planning. At Ohiopyle State Park, "there are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops" while New Germany has just "one site [with electricity], but only big enough for a teardrop camper." Reserve well ahead for hookup sites.
Site leveling: Varied terrain means preparation is key. Campers report that "some sites are not very level" at New Germany State Park, while others mention that many tent pads are "level with no rocks, tree roots, etc." at Outflow Camping Area.
Water fill stations: Centralized water access at many campgrounds. One RVer at Outflow Camping Area noted "water can be filled at the 'gatehouse'" and another mentioned "the water hookups weren't working at the time, but we were able to connect in Cherry Loop and fill our tank" at Ohiopyle State Park.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. Most campgrounds with RV sites provide dump stations, typically "on the way out" of the campground. One camper at New Germany State Park mentioned "water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road" for those staying at primitive campgrounds.
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