Situated in Maryland's Allegheny Mountain region at elevations between 1,400-2,900 feet, the Barton area offers a cooler escape from summer heat with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees below nearby lowland areas. Western Maryland's camping options range from primitive forest sites to lakeside campgrounds with modern amenities. The region experiences distinct seasons with colorful fall foliage in October and occasional snow closures from December through March.
What to do
Hiking through old-growth forests: At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, trails lead to Maryland's highest waterfall and through magnificent wooded areas. "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!" A camper notes the park has "a variety of smaller falls, 'local' swimming holes, great rock formations and places to fish on the river."
Cross-country skiing in winter months: New Germany State Park Campground transforms into a winter recreation destination when snow arrives. "Apparently, the park is very popular amongst cross-country skiers in the winter, especially since they have full-service cabins and a warming hut by the lake," a visitor reports. The trails are "open to cross country skiing in the winter months" with equipment rentals sometimes available at the park lodge.
Kayaking and fishing: Savage River State Forest provides excellent water access points. One camper explained, "There's multiple boat ramps, and from one end of the reservoir to the other on a kayak is about 2 hours." For less experienced paddlers, a different camper mentions "the small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Savage River State Forest receives consistent praise for site seclusion. "The sites are very spread out, and not very consistent in size/quality. We were able to nab site 112 and it was fantastic: lots of space, and privacy too," notes one camper. Another adds that sites are "huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart from other sites."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: The bathhouses at Rocky Gap State Park Campground receive positive reviews. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," writes a repeat visitor. Another camper mentions, "Bath house in our loop was old and small, but kept very clean."
Wooded, natural settings: Campers appreciate the forest environment that dominates campgrounds in the region. "The campground is clean and made us feel like we were in a forest not just a campground," writes one visitor. Another notes that "each site has a fire ring with grill grate, and a nice, large, composite picnic table" with sites "surrounded by beautiful forest."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campsites have spotty or no connectivity. "Note that there is very little to no cell phone reception in the park, so combined with the lack of hookups, this is definitely an unplugged, 'connect with nature' type of camping experience," explains one visitor about New Germany State Park.
Bear safety is important: Middle Ridge Campground and surrounding areas require food storage awareness. "The campground had bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear, keeping our zero bear sightings record intact," reports a camper. Most established campgrounds provide bear-resistant containers or lockers.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating steep mountain roads. "Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight gettin in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides," a visitor cautions. In winter months, some forest roads may require 4WD or become impassable.
Tips for camping with families
Enjoy kid-friendly water activities: Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake offers designated swimming areas and fishing. "Make sure to bring bicycles for your kids to ride around the loop. There is also a pond that you can hike to for fishing. It is far enough that your children would not wonder there on their own," suggests one parent. Another mentions that "for kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several area campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle," notes a visitor to Rocky Gap. Another family mentions "near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
Choose sites near bathhouses: When camping with small children, proximity to facilities matters. A camper recommends sites that have "its own little direct pathway to the bath house. In fact, almost every site on the inside of the loop had its own little direct pathway to the bath house."
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup options: Most campgrounds offer only electric sites or primitive camping. "There are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops," explains a camper about Swallow Falls. For those needing full hookups, a visitor to Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park reports, "We have a wonderful, big electric and water site. Our camper doesn't have a bathroom so we need the bathhouse."
Size restrictions apply: Large rigs may have difficulty at several campgrounds. A camper warns about one site: "Made it in and out no issue taking it slow, but not sure I would try anything longer than about 36' fifth wheel or 34' travel trailer." Most loops have restrictions and roads with tight turns that limit access for bigger RVs.
Water pressure considerations: Water systems at some campgrounds may require supplementation. "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi," notes an RVer, suggesting bringing a water pressure gauge and considering tank use instead of direct hookups.
