Friendsville, MD is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Friendsville is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Maryland camping adventure.
$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."
"Unfortunately, someone moved our picnic table to the next site. Too lazy to move it. Pit toilets were pretty clean. Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish."
$55 / night
"We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. Camp in the heart of this farm close to a pond. Book your stay and come back here to leave them some love."
$25 - $35 / night
"There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there. The facilities are always clean- no shower available."
"There was a fire place and a picnic table and an area to park your car. It was walking distance to the beautiful overlook and a great price for what you get."
"Laurel Ridge State Park is the greenway that protects the legendary Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from the busy world around it."
"It is a beautiful wooded park offering lots of trees for privacy. I wish I had more time to explore the park before moving on. The bathhouse could use a renovation. It felt old and kind of dirty."
$10 - $20 / night
"Due to location in-between the tall mountains there is absolutely No CELLPHONE SRRVICE past the first couple campsites and only very spotty at those campsites as well."
$10 - $30 / night
"Primitive campsites are $10 a night. Small cabins are $35 a night, with larger cabins going at $56 a night. There is electricity in the cabins."
"Had my wedding 2022 at Jennings picnic area and then after that spent the whole weekend away from everyone and everything!"
$20 / night
"Set your tent up on the lawn, up on the stage, or under the long lean-to, if you want to get out of the weather. It’s all up for grabs for the night."
LegendSmall, primitive campground with 12-sites. There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.
There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.
No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole.
The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.
The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day.
Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen!
First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.
*Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.
LegendThis is a remote riverside campground with great fishing opportunities for catch and release(check the requirements for license/stamps; I included a picture of a sign). One loop comes with water/electic hookups($7 more) the others are primitive. If you use solar, ironically, the sites around the loop/with electric, are your best bet as there is a large open field in the middle; a second loop contains more primitive sites and some walk-in sites with parking near the bathroom. Parking pads are large and generally level. There are vault toilets and some flush toilets. No cell service(Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post. The prices for firewood are among the highest I’ve seen at$10/bundle. Camp store has limited hours, but ice and firewood are available.
You may have day visitors here to fish, swim, or picnic at one of the two pavilions. In addition to fishing, you may find it refreshing to swim/wade in the river, but I would definitely want water shoes to protect my feet. Interested in more adventure on the river? Head about 15 minutes down the road to St George where outfitters can set you up for both flatwater and whitewater activities on the Cheat River, depending on your preference, age, and water level.
RangerKooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however.
Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise.
The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!
ScoutClean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.
Guide8/14/2025
USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary.
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.
LegendPROS
Able to reserve 129 days prior to arriving
Melissa at check-in was very friendly and helpful
Good overnight stop to visit Flight 93 Memorial 22 miles from campground
Site #391 level
Gravel site surrounded by grass
Moveable wooden picnic table
Large concrete fire ring
Clean toilet-shower building that are heavily used
Mostly quiet except for road noise
Firewood for sale in Park
CONS
No discount
Site #391 no shade
Park cable connection failed
Sewer connection“up hill”
Never found trash dumpster and wasn’t marked on campground map
Very loud radio station blaring in the toilet/shower building that could be heard outside the building
2 bars Verizon
No WIFI
LegendRed Creek Campground is positioned a decent drive down gravel National Forest roads, so it does not see the amount of traffic that easier, closer campgrounds get. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=7003&actid=63
With a season of Mid-April through the beginning of December, be assured that weather is always a factor. Family has been thwarted at Thanksgiving by unpassable snow without a 4x4. Rain is almost certain, as the varied elevation nearly creates its own weather patterns. So my first recommendation is to always add rain gear and cold weather garments for insurance.
We ordinarily visit during the month of August and being a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of roaming tent camper...I have arrived to see Red Creek Campground full...as these sites are non-reservable.
Keep in mind, Red Creek Campground is "primitive"...no modern facilities, no showers, no electric...and the only running water accessible, is a small spring pipe (that I highly recommend filtering before use even though it does not post that).
Sites on the outer portion of the loop are fairly concealed from one another by trees and undergrowth...the inner loop sites are a little more exposed. Gravel parking at sites and each site offers a picnic table a fire ring and lantern post. All sites are a short distance to the two individual unisex pit lantrines in the center of the campground.
With no ambient light, the night skies are amazing...though cloud cover always seem to plague my visits at night. Though one evening we drove down toward Bear Rocks and laid in an open field to stargaze one evening to enjoy a wonderful light show from shooting stars. We were so quiet, several deer passed between us within arms reach...a little disconcerting but we survived.
Trails are abundant and some leave directly from the campground deeper into the Wilderness Area. Choose footwear wisely, as the trails are strewn with sharp rocks (on certain trails), various stream and river crossings, shoe-swallowing mud bogs along with the regular ol' dirt trail. Bring a trail map, water...and/or a water filter...and raingear.
Nearby Bear Rocks is a fun scamper for "kids" of all ages and the views eastward share WV and Virginia mountain ranges.
We were thrilled to visit when "Bird Banding" is taking place and enjoyed searching for migrating birds caught in the netting on the east side of the road opposite the campground.
For a peaceful, relaxing camping experience that offers great hiking, and some of the most amazing flora and fauna...its a family favorite!
RangerWe often do dispersed, leave no trace, primitive camping throughout the state forest. There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go. Take the scenic hike to raven’s rock for views that will not disappoint.
GuideThis campsite is a great jumping off point for a number of hikes throughout Dolly Sods. The campgrounds is open April-December and then the roads close from December to April. The road on the way up is gravel, but has its share of potholes and bumps.
The cost to camp is $11 and there are no reservations. I stayed two nights at site 2 which is tucked away from most of the other sites, save for one close by. This particular site is tucked back from the parking spot by about 15 yds, but is located near the water pipe which is essentially just a small stream. My site had a picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad and there were vault toilets nearby. The only potential downside about this site, that I didn't experience, was that it's pretty close to Blackbird Knob Trail's starting point from FR 75 which means hikers will be passing near your site.
If you do choose to stay the night here, it's worth a drive down the road to check out the sunrise from Bear Rocks.
Tent camping near Friendsville, Maryland offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Friendsville, MD is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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