149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Western Maryland's Appalachian highlands surround Bittinger, providing campgrounds near Bittinger that range from rustic riverside sites to developed parks with electric hookups and swimming beaches. Savage River State Forest offers rustic, spacious sites along riverbanks with significant privacy between campsites. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles southwest of Bittinger, features developed facilities including electric hookups, showers, and a swimming beach. Swallow Falls State Park Campground, known for its proximity to Maryland's highest waterfall, provides tent and RV sites with varying levels of privacy. New Germany State Park, just north of Bittinger, maintains year-round camping with small, forested loops suitable for tents and small trailers, plus cabin options for those seeking more comfort.
Camping permits and regulations vary significantly across the region's public lands. Maryland state parks typically require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Western Maryland is bear country, but also home to deer, eagles, hawks, and plenty of fish." Cell service can be limited or non-existent in more remote areas like New Germany State Park, creating what reviewers describe as a "truly unplugged experience." The mountainous terrain means temperatures remain cooler than eastern Maryland, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Many campgrounds prohibit outside firewood to prevent pest introduction, with bundles available for purchase at camp stores for approximately $5.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, though site characteristics vary widely. At Big Run State Park, "the best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream where you can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds," while lakeside sites at Rocky Gap offer "extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks" but sometimes less privacy. Poison ivy is common throughout the region's campgrounds, particularly along site edges. Bathhouses are generally well-maintained, though quality and amenities differ between parks. During peak seasons, particularly holiday weekends, reservations are essential as one camper advised, "getting a holiday site is best if you plan MONTHS ahead." Winter camping options exist but are limited primarily to Savage River State Forest and New Germany State Park.
"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."
"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."
from $22 - $33 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $21 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $24 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $18 - $117 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $10 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $155 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $29 - $62 / night
Check Availability"General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."
"Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Rocky gap is one of my favorite parks to camp in Maryland! It is right along a great lake, where you can swim, fish, kayak or just lay about. The camp store is well stocked and the staff is friendly."
"The beach at the lake is not far away for any loop."
from $23 - $29 / night
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TravelerStayed with friends at RV6. Non electric spot but huge with a nice fireplace and benches. No picnic table but great views of the river and the peaceful sounds of flowing water. Only toilet facility is an outside port-o-potty but they have spray, tp, hand sanitizer and seems well kept.
TravelerWe had a great stay. Well manicured grounds. Lots of fallen trees from recent weather. Bathrooms could be cleaner. The camp hosts are awesome people. The area is quiet and peaceful. Lots of bike trails. Lake nice with swimming. Not crowded. Very family oriented. Playgrounds scattered around the campground in really good shape.
We stayed at site 173. I loved it. Private. Had a little stream that ran behind it which would have been great for kids to play in. I loved the sound of running water. The fire pit and picnic table were in a little area above the stream surrounded by trees. It was so pretty and felt protected. They sell wood and awesome fire starters on site. Well priced. $5 for big bundle of split wood and $1 for each large fire starter. The Fire starters were so good, I bought extras to take with me. Definitely good quality. Not like the small ones you buy at the store.
All in all, I loved it and will go back. I’ll take the grandkids next time. The lake, stream, biking, playground will keep them busy.
I have TMobile and had no cellphone service at my site. But could get service in other areas.
Site 225 looked like a great site. Up on a hill with a view, full hook up, playground close, and cell service.
GuideI stayed at the non electric campsite area and it was nice. Very wooded and lots of trails to explore
ScoutI wish I could give this campground zero stars. Like the reviews below us stated, we were also verbally attacked by the little man on the golf cart. This campground should be embarrassed by the way it treats families. We were supposed to stay Thursday through Sunday with our best friends and our six children. Instead, we packed up and left Saturday after returning from our planned trip to Ohiopyle with our kids. What was supposed to be a fun, relaxing family camping weekend turned into an experience that left us shocked, disappointed, and completely disrespected. We are experienced campers and have spent years creating memories with our children at campgrounds. We are respectful guests, we follow rules, and we have never had an experience like this. Unfortunately, this campground chose poor communication, intimidation, and selective enforcement over basic customer service. During our stay, we had a truck briefly drive down to the swimming area to unload and later reload chairs, coolers, and supplies for our six children. There are no signs stating that vehicles are prohibited on the grass. In fact, there were multiple golf carts in the same area throughout the day, including staff members and seasonal campers, which led us to believe this was permitted. We understand vehicles are heavier than golf carts, but there were zero signage stating no cars allowed. To preface, there was zero damage done to the grass area due to our truck, we took photos prior to leaving the campground to protect ourselves since management is so emotionally unstable. Mind you: this is an army corp engineers campground, by Under federal law(36 CFR§ 327.2), motorized vehicles, including golf carts, UTVs, ATVs, and standard cars, must remain strictly on designated paved or gravel roads and parking lots. We found this rule after we got home and did our research. There were about 5 golf carts AND a gator in and out of the beach area through out the day. If someone had simply approached us and kindly explained that vehicles were not allowed there, we would have apologized. Instead, staff chose to sit back after someone complained, watch my children swim for hours, wait for us to clean up and bring the truck down to reload, then turn a simple misunderstanding into a confrontation. A staff member approached the truck in a golf cart, speeding up and hopping out(this is all on video) while my minor daughter was inside, reached into our vehicle and took our tag then proceeded to yell at us to pack our“shit” and prepare to leave. The way this was handled was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. Our children were present, witnessed this, and were left scared and confused over a situation that could have been resolved in less than a minute with a respectful conversation. We were also told there is a strict 5 mph speed limit and that radar is used because of a serious incident involving a child in the past, He was hit and life flighted. Yet seasonal campers continued driving golf carts around at unsafe speeds while drinking. Rules and safety expectations should apply equally to everyone, not only when management decides to enforce them against certain guests and not their buddies who pay for a seasonal spot. We went to the office in good faith to discuss what happened and believed the situation had been resolved. We stayed another night, only to be told the following morning that we were no longer welcome back. To permanently ban a family over a first time issue involving a rule that was never communicated is absolutely unacceptable. A well run campground understands that communication and respect go both ways. Instead, this campground made paying guests feel unwelcome and disposable. Management needs to take a serious look at how they handle conflicts because this was not customer service, it was an unnecessary escalation. We will never return to this campground, and after this experience, we strongly encourage other families to think twice before booking a stay here. Especially with young children.
Travelercheck in was easy. there’s lots to do for families kids- there’s ponds to fish, swimming pool, mini golf. golf cart rentals. playground. they also have events like family olympics and outdoor movies. site was also very nice and spacious
TravelerFrom a family of tent campers, it was perfect. We rented the river sites. The location was great and the kids had a blast playing in the river and fishing. We brought our own kayaks and enjoyed the easy paddling. The bathrooms were very nice and clean.
TravelerWe rented a tent pad site and a glamping site side by side here and absolutely loved the place. This place is perfect for retreats or group camping experiences since there's only 6-8 tent pads and two glamping tents. Theres a his and hers lavatory cabins that are new and have a large industrial sink to wash your dishes in...big plus. Only a 20 minute drive to downtown berkley springs. Will be coming back this fall when the leaves start changing!
ScoutGenuinely the nicest owner and host! We stayed in tent site A and loved it! Mr.Sullivan even greeted us and told us about the Paw Paw trees. My husbands been camping but it was mine and our baby’s first time camping and I was surprising my husband for Father’s Day. I reached out to the owners for help and questions and was met with nothing but kindness. Never once made me feel stupid for asking a question and genuinely wanted to help. We will for sure be back
GuideGorgeous area and well worth it to go. $10 a night and go to the HQ to book. (address at the bottom of the green sign in pic). It’s first come first serve but if Hq is closed you can sign up on a clipboard outside. This is about 30 minutes from the forest itself depending on which site you get. Some sites are better than others so try to get in early. Leave no trace
Camping near Bittinger, Maryland offers a unique combination of highland forest ecology and four-season access. Located at elevations between 2,500-3,000 feet, the area maintains cooler temperatures than other parts of Maryland, with summer nights often dropping into the 50s. Winter camping opportunities expand with several campgrounds maintaining year-round sites, while spring brings dense wildflower displays in forest undergrowth.
Hiking the loop trails: New Germany State Park offers approximately 15 miles of marked trails with varying difficulty levels. "The trails are easy to medium and are open to cross country skiing in the winter months," notes Bill G. about New Germany State Park Campground.
Stream fishing: Multiple small waterways near Bittinger provide excellent trout fishing opportunities. At Big Run State Park Campground, the stream was "incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," according to Nathan S., making it ideal for anglers seeking quieter fishing spots.
Natural water features: Beyond swimming, the area's streams and falls offer cooling alternatives. "Muddy Creek Falls - the main attraction of the state park and the highest waterfall in Maryland - is the main reason to do the hike," notes Danielle V. about Swallow Falls State Park.
Winter recreation: Cross-country skiing becomes a primary activity when snow arrives. The trails at New Germany State Park transform into skiing routes, and as Sean M. notes, "It's a small park nestled in a little pristine valley that feels like you are in another world!"
Unplugged experience: Cell service limitations create natural disconnection at many sites. "There is NO cell coverage in the park, so combined with the lack of hookups, this is definitely an unplugged, 'connect with nature' type of camping experience," explains Jen V. about New Germany State Park Campground.
Firefly displays: Summer evenings feature spectacular natural light shows. Simon S. noted while camping at Deep Creek Lake State Park that "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night."
Creek-side campsites: Stream-adjacent sites offer both ambiance and recreation. At Big Run State Park, Katie H. shared, "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings provide the best chance for deer sightings. Meredith P. at Savage River State Forest spotted "a raccoon, a bunny, a chipmunk, and (along the nearby roads) lots of deer— don't drive too fast!"
Camping permit systems vary: Different forests and parks follow distinct reservation protocols. At Savage River State Forest, payment must be placed in specific locations as Grace D. notes: "The map indicated an iron ranger nearby these sites but we couldn't find it, so we ended up depositing our payment at the iron ranger at the white water sites."
Site selection importance: Campsite quality varies dramatically within the same campground. As Chris F. observed at Savage River, "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. However, we drove past some sites that looked sad and offering no seclusion."
Seasonal weather patterns: Temperature drops occur rapidly after sunset. The mountainous terrain maintains cooler temperatures year-round, making proper cold-weather gear necessary even in summer, especially since as Bill G. mentions about New Germany, "Summer temps usually do not get as nice 85max most of the summer."
Supply planning essential: Grocery and supply options are limited near most campgrounds. Chris F. notes that "to get potable water we had to drive ~20 minutes" at Savage River, while others recommend stocking up in larger towns like Frostburg before arrival.
Beach access priorities: Lake beaches offer family-friendly swimming with facilities. At Rocky Gap State Park Campground, Katie H. appreciates that "the campground has their own beach so it's not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch."
Trail difficulty assessment: Check trail maps for family-appropriate paths. Mike B. from Swallow Falls State Park Campground says, "The grounds had paths everywhere and were well kept. I didn't feel like I was walking in the dirt or through someone's campsite to get to the bathroom or the playground for the kids."
Campsite proximity to facilities: Select sites with young children based on bathroom access. At Rocky Gap, Katie H. notes their site was "incredibly spacious, heavily shaded, close to the bath house, path to the beach, and well distanced from other sites."
Wildlife education opportunities: Prepare children for animal sightings with proper guidelines. Christina C. at Deep Creek Lake State Park reported, "We did have a raccoon visitor, and a black bear while we were there. The paths are littered with very docile deer and the lake is crystal clear."
Pad size verification: Confirm actual campsite dimensions before booking. At Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park, Nora M. found "a wonderful, big electric and water site" but recommends verifying as site descriptions vary in accuracy.
Electrical limitations: Many campgrounds offer limited electrical sites with specific amperage. At Tub Run, Kathy G. recommends that RVers "stayed creekside to take advantage of the sewer connections" since many lakeside sites lack full hookups.
Water accessibility: Plan water fills carefully due to limited full-hookup sites. Gary P. at Swallow Falls State Park notes that while the campground had "84 campsites in the park and only 6 electric (&water)," making advance planning essential.
Winter camping readiness: For cold-weather camping, select sites with proper clearance. Bill G. notes New Germany State Park's Hemlock loop "is smaller and is mostly made for tent camping, though one site has electricity, but only big enough for a teardrop camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bittinger, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bittinger, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Bittinger, MD and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bittinger, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bittinger, MD is Savage River State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bittinger, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Bittinger, MD.
What parks are near Bittinger, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Bittinger, MD that allow camping, notably Jennings Randolph Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake.
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