Western Maryland's campgrounds around Frostburg provide diverse camping experiences within the Appalachian region. Rocky Gap State Park Campground offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options approximately 15 miles east of Frostburg, while Savage River State Forest provides more primitive tent and RV camping 20 miles west in forested mountain terrain. New Germany State Park, situated near Grantsville, features year-round camping with electric hookups and cabin accommodations. The landscape includes both mountain forests and waterfront locations along Deep Creek Lake, allowing for varied camping experiences in both developed and rustic settings.
Camping facilities in this region typically operate year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Rocky Gap provides more amenities including electric hookups, showers, and drinking water, while sites in Savage River State Forest offer fewer facilities but more solitude. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during the peak summer season when water activities are popular. Sites at Rocky Gap State Park and New Germany State Park fill quickly between May and September. Access to most campgrounds involves paved roads, though some forest service sites may require vehicles with higher clearance. A review noted that "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."
Campers consistently mention scenic views as a primary attraction when staying near Frostburg. Cumberland MD Campgrounds offers panoramic valley views according to multiple reviewers, with one stating it had "beautiful views and very enjoyable" surroundings. Water access represents another highlight, with sites near Deep Creek Lake and Rocky Gap Lake providing swimming and boating opportunities during summer months. Family-friendly facilities are common at state park campgrounds, with playgrounds and interpretive programs available during peak season. While noise levels remain low at most sites, some campgrounds experience occasional train noise, particularly at locations along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turkey, and various bird species throughout the forested campgrounds.
$23 - $29 / night
"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."
$35 / night
"Me and a small group of friends stayed here for a weekend and we had a blast it was so peaceful we where right next to the river and had some great trails too hike on."
"Great stay at a well located spot. Beautiful and quiet. Don was very helpful with any request that we had. Would return again. Thanks Don."
"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."
$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."
"If you’re camping at sites 14-26, the walk may seem a bit long to use the john. The park has about 15 or so miles of trails."
"It is not near a main highway unless you call Route 50 through Romney a main highway. It is west of town up a curved mountain road. It is on the top area of "Middle Ridge" mountain. "
"Very positive experience."
$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"
$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. "
$10 / night
"All are roadside, but plenty are tucked away so you feel alone in the woods. You can occupy a site as long as you register at the parks main office. $10/night."
"My family and I have gone camping all over Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but had never visited Green Ridge before this weekend. "
$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."
"DM offers trails, fishing, picnic, pavilion rental, has a large in ground public pool, and in season, hunting. There is no camping sites. There are a few geocaches in the area."
ScoutThe biggest problem with the WV state parks is the cancellation policy. Make sure you check it out. Bath houses are decent. Shower had hot water and good pressure. Most of the sites are not level 1-9 are the best sites by far. Poor drainage when raining.
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
ScoutThe surroundings are beautiful as is the Campground. No water or sewer so be prepared for that. The shower/laundry/bathroom building is centrally located and immaculate.
TravelerWe stayed one night here (didn't even unhook from the truck). Arrived in the rain and were leaving early the next morning, so I didn't want to disconnect. Our gravel pad was over 6" out of level, requiring me to use leveling pads and a leveling jack to get trailer level. All the short-term gravel sites looked like they needed some love!
Campground is about 80% seasonal, and apparently has no housekeeping restrictions on residents - some sites were pretty full of old dead golf carts and various debris. Not sure I would want to stay for a destination camping experience, but it was cheap and fine for a one night stay.
TravelerWe came up here in our Roadtrek campervan. Quiet woodsy forestland. Went for a walk in the morning, lots of birdsong. A bit of road noise from the nearby highways but didn’t hear anything at night.
TravelerI’m a new car camper and my mom and I took a day trip out to check out the sites. When I tell you this is the most beautiful, secluded, peaceful camping site I truly couldn’t have asked for a better find!! I did however (like an idiot) end up going waaay too far down the trail (aka the whole 18 miles) and THANK GOD I drive a 4 runner!! That road gets pretty sketchy in most spots the further you go down but I somehow (by the grace of God) made it through the whole thing IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE!! ugh may never do that again but the camping is fantastic!! If you wanna check out more of the off-roading aspect I recommend checking out nolimitbmore on youtube! Will be spending most of my summer & fall here!!
TravelerI want to preface by saying that I believe this is a fairly nice and accommodating campground, it just missed the mark on some of my personal preferences this time around.
I had a two night trip the opening weekend at the Elm Loop, site 118. I actually came to this campground amidst a wind advisory, will definitely not make that mistake again because it was a beast. The grounds were easy to navigate even during the night. Putting up the tent was a bit frustrating as the tent pad was very rocky and it was difficult to get the pegs into the ground.
One of my biggest qualms was that I arrived expecting to be able to buy firewood from the camp store, especially since the provided flyers and maps listed the store being open until 9pm. I got to the store only to find out that it had been shut down last year. A bit disappointing as we couldn’t have a fire that night, would’ve been nice to know ahead of time. Thankfully firewood was available the next day but at the registration office at the entrance of the park. Not sure if they plan on opening the store again, but just be aware if you do plan to go and are expecting it to be open.
Other than that, it’s a well versed site. Plenty for any group to do. I went fishing towards the dam while the other half of my group hiked the lake trail. Bathrooms were available and in usable condition. Sites are a good distance apart, the ones along the lake are pretty. Not sure if I’d return again but it was a nice to try.
GuideTLDR: this is a horrible campsite in a horrible campground. You should reserve somewhere else and leave it open for me. ;-)
My family has a wide variety of preferences. My husband is a water guy. I'm a mountain girl. My kids want a paved campground road so they can scooter and a nearby playground. This place is all of those things - a mountain lake with paved roads and heavy on amenities.
We stayed in site 11, which has a direct path to the lake-loop trail, which is also a straight shot to the beach/playground. We were there in March, so we weren't swimming/boating, but in the summer this would be a prime spot for those reasons too. It's a liiittle far from the bath house. But we RV, so it's not a huge deal. It had a great view of lake and mountains (though once the leaves come in, probably less so).
Sites are nice and private, well spaced. The fire pit was nice and deep, which was slightly inconvenient, but is probably intended to combat the mountain winds. The campground store and other peak season amenities were closed, so I can't speak to those, but it looked like they had very nice facilities. The playground was really nice. (We didn't go onto resort/casino property)
GuideNice private site outside of Berkeley Springs!
Camping areas near Frostburg, Maryland sit within the Allegheny Mountain section of the Appalachian Plateau, with elevations ranging from 1,500-3,000 feet. This higher elevation creates cooler summer temperatures, typically 5-10 degrees lower than surrounding lowlands. The region's distinctive topography features deep valleys and abundant natural springs that feed the area's lakes and streams.
Paddle at Rocky Gap: Rocky Gap State Park offers boat rentals for exploring Lake Habeeb. "Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent. The 5 mile hike around Lake Habeeb is enjoyable. Great way to see all sides of the park," notes Jeff H. at Rocky Gap State Park Campground.
Explore mountain trails: New Germany State Park features well-marked hiking paths through dense forest. "The trails are very nicely kept and clear with maps at every intersection so getting lost is very unlikely," explains Jillian K., who appreciated the navigational aids.
Fish stocked waterways: Savage River State Forest provides opportunities for anglers. "The flora is beautiful and peaceful and there are lots of animals about to see. We spotted a raccoon, a bunny, a chipmunk, and (along the nearby roads) lots of deer," reports Meredith P. about the diverse wildlife viewing options.
Visit historical sites: The C&O Canal Trail and National Park Visitor Center are accessible from campgrounds in Cumberland. "This is a 1¾ mile walk along the C&O Canal Trail to the outskirts of Cumberland. A fantastic museum is near that 1¾ mile point. The National Park Visitor Center is there as well which is very informative," shares Roger W. from CUMBERLAND MD. CAMPGROUNDS. 1 & 2.
Private, spacious sites: Many campsites feature significant separation between neighbors. "Every campsite was spread out feet away from each other at least. Mine was probably 100yrds," reports Sophia T. about Savage River State Forest, highlighting the seclusion available.
Cooler temperatures: The mountain elevation provides relief from summer heat. "It's at least 10 degrees cooler out here," notes Sophia T. about camping at Savage River in August, making it more comfortable than lowland areas.
Modern facilities: Rocky Gap offers well-maintained amenities. "The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping," shares Katie H., who appreciates the cleanliness.
Swimming opportunities: Several parks feature designated swimming areas. "The small lake was perfect for swimming, and the hikes around the campground were beautiful. The bathrooms were always cleaned and the staff was super friendly!" explains Angie R. about New Germany State Park Campground.
Limited phone service: Expect minimal connectivity in forested areas. "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," advises Jen V. about New Germany State Park.
Seasonal facility variations: Services change throughout the year. "The lake has a concession stand, boat rentals, swimming beach, rec hall, and nature center, but these were all closed since we were there out of season," reports Lee D.
Varying site quality: Campsite conditions differ significantly between locations. "Don't let the name fool you, the campground is across the street from the lake and there are no lake view sites," Lee D. clarifies about Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in the area. "We were told there were regular bear sightings and there were bear boxes at each site," mentions Lee D., though they "saw many deer but not a single bear."
Look for educational programs: "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area," recommends Jillian K. about New Germany State Park, highlighting the kid-friendly amenities.
Select sites with nearby bathrooms: "We stayed at site 28 which was backed by a large wooded area. It was however a hike to the bathhouse," notes Michele F., suggesting families consider proximity to facilities when choosing campsites.
Consider seasonal timing: "We would love to return in the summer though, especially since the area doesn't experience the same type of extreme humidity as the more central and eastern parts of Maryland," advises Jen V. from Big Run State Park Campground, indicating early fall can offer comfortable camping conditions with fewer crowds.
Pack for variable weather: "The weather was crazy the one night I stayed! Thunderstorms turned to ice turned to snow which made the area even more beautiful!" shares Michele F. about New Germany State Park, highlighting the importance of preparing for sudden weather changes.
Check site dimensions carefully: "We got sites 112 & 113 because we had a few people join us. Those sites are right next to each other so it worked out really nicely. 113 was a big open field, and 112 was in a sort of pine forest," explains Grace D. about Savage River State Forest, noting the importance of matching site style to your needs.
Road access considerations: "The roads were all paved which was nice. We got site 112 & 113... Both were relatively close to the road," Grace D. continues, providing important information about approach routes.
Water and electrical availability: "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," explains Bill G. about Green Ridge State Forest, where amenities may be limited.
Plan for road conditions: "The site had a fire ring with grill grate, and a nice, large, composite picnic table. We were right in front of the bath house, which was convenient, but the light was pretty bright at night," advises a camper at New Germany State Park, suggesting RV campers consider light pollution when selecting sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do Frostburg campgrounds offer for visitors?
Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground offers camping in a beautiful forested setting with access to the lake for swimming, fishing, and boating. The campground features clean facilities, though sites can be somewhat close together. Swallow Falls State Park Campground provides level tent sites in a forested setting with clean facilities. Most campgrounds near Frostburg feature basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathhouses with toilets and showers. Many offer both pet-friendly and non-pet loops, electric hookups at select sites, and centralized bathroom facilities. Camp stores are available at some locations, while others require bringing your own supplies. Water activities are a highlight of the region, with several campgrounds providing direct access to lakes or streams for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Where are the campgrounds near Frostburg, MD?
Several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive of Frostburg, MD. New Germany State Park Campground is nearby, offering a serene setting with a small lake for swimming and kayaking, plus wooded mountain trails. Rocky Gap State Park Campground is another popular option, situated on a beautiful lake perfect for water activities. Other nearby options include Big Run State Park, Deep Creek Lake State Park, and Swallow Falls State Park, all within reasonable driving distance from Frostburg. Most of these campgrounds are accessible year-round, though some amenities may be limited during winter months. Frostburg's central location in western Maryland makes it an ideal base for exploring the region's outdoor recreational opportunities.
What is the best season for camping in the Frostburg area?
Late spring through early fall offers the best camping experience in the Frostburg area. Big Run State Park Campground is particularly charming in summer when you can enjoy camping next to streams or the reservoir, with clean, well-maintained facilities. Summer brings warm days perfect for water activities, while fall showcases spectacular foliage colors throughout the region. Red Creek Campground in nearby Dolly Sods is typically open April through December, with road closures during winter months. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with limited winter access due to road conditions and facility closures. Summer offers the bonus of natural entertainment, with campers at Deep Creek Lake reporting spectacular firefly displays. For the most comfortable experience with full access to amenities, plan your Frostburg camping trip between May and October.
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