Best Campgrounds near Grantsville, MD

Grantsville, Maryland lies within a region known for its mountain forests and pristine streams, featuring multiple campground options throughout the Savage River State Forest and New Germany State Park. Camping areas in western Maryland provide a range of accommodations from primitive tent sites along creeks to developed RV campgrounds with electrical hookups. New Germany State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with amenities like showers, picnic tables, and a small lake for swimming and fishing, while Savage River State Forest provides more secluded, rustic sites spaced far apart with minimal facilities. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate cabin camping as an alternative to traditional tent sites, particularly at Deep Creek Lake State Park and Swallow Falls State Park.

The camping season in western Maryland generally runs year-round at some locations, though many campgrounds like Swallow Falls operate from April to December. Savage River State Forest provides primitive camping with sites spread far apart for privacy, featuring only fire rings and picnic tables without shower or restroom facilities. Cell phone reception is typically limited or nonexistent throughout the area, particularly in the valleys and forest areas. Weather in this mountainous region stays cooler than other parts of Maryland, with temperatures approximately 10 degrees lower than surrounding areas even in summer. A camper noted, "Sites are either secluded car camping that is first come-first served or wilderness dispersed camping. Make sure to know where you can and cannot pitch a tent."

Campgrounds in this region vary considerably in privacy levels and amenities. Savage River State Forest receives high marks from visitors who appreciate the secluded camping experience, with one reviewer describing it as "very remote western Maryland Appalachia with sites right off park road, huge, rustic, and spaced very far apart." New Germany State Park features "a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops" with varied site sizes. The park's natural setting with old growth hemlock trees creates what one visitor called "a pristine valley that feels like you are in another world." Many campers mention the excellent hiking opportunities, with New Germany State Park offering well-maintained trails with maps at intersections that make navigation straightforward.

Best Camping Sites Near Grantsville, Maryland (139)

    1. Savage River State Forest

    18 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5759

    "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."

    2. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    82 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $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"

    3. New Germany State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Grantsville, MD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $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."

    "New Germany State Park is situated in Garrett County Maryland. The park has a small lake, a few trails, and two camping loops."

    4. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Mchenry, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-5563

    $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."

    5. Outflow Camping

    15 Reviews
    Confluence, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $155 / night

    "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."

    6. Swallow Falls State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Oakland, MD
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 387-6938

    $22 - $33 / night

    "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."

    7. Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run

    12 Reviews
    Confluence, PA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8531

    $29 - $62 / night

    "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."

    8. Rocky Gap State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Flintstone, MD
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 722-1480

    $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."

    9. Big Run State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bloomington, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 895-5453

    $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. Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Rockwood, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 445-7725

    $20 - $64 / night

    "The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."

    "The bathrooms are clean and it has great walking access to the beautiful beach and lake."

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Recent Reviews near Grantsville, MD

890 Reviews of 139 Grantsville Campgrounds


  • Gina T.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Loved it!

    This was our first experience camping.  We just retired and rented a camper for a trial run and we just loved it.  It was quiet there and I slept like a baby.  Very positive experience.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Good place to stay for a night

    This is a good place to stay in an area along Hwy 50 where there aren’t many other options. The host was friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and safe. The bathrooms are fine with a good shower and hot water. There is a swimming pool although it was closed for the season when I was here.

  • E
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Camp Cacapon

    Great camping in a perfect spot

    We stayed at this campground Sep 26-28 and had a fantastic time. The campsite is in a perfect spot on the Cacapon river, and the facilities are excellent. Nice campsites, clean bathrooms and a charming little pavilion that you can rent and hang out with your group.

    Highly recommend

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    Ok for a quick overnight

    Due to a water main break, only one bathroom and showers were available. Bathrooms were quite old and run down. There are over 100 sites. Pets are only allowed on specific loops and cannot be walked on “non pet” loops. We had an electric site which was pretty level for our van. Bike trails were more like hiking trails ( not single track Mtn biking trails). I found this park to be “just ok”.

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • Jennifer S.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fox Den Acres Campground

    Nice campground, close to home

    Friendly people. Clean. Only downside is only one bathhouse/restroom, hampering g the no #2 in camper. LoL

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    Great dispersed sites!

    We only drove down to the second site, but it was awesome! Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Laurel Hill State Park Campground

    Okay campground

    Okay campground. We met nice people staying there. However, the sites are REALLY not level because the RV sites are on a major slope, especially the pull-through sites. Large open grassy area. The camp host saw me walking my pups, and as I walked toward the trash can(near the bathroom) to throw away a pooped that I had picked up, she yelled across the green area from her site“no dogs in the bathrooms!” Kinda rude, but later she was friendly. Some okay hiking trails off the campground in a meadow.


Guide to Grantsville

Camping near Grantsville, Maryland features a cooler climate with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees lower than surrounding regions due to its elevation in the Appalachian Mountains. The area sits within Garrett County, Maryland's westernmost county, which contains numerous streams and waterways flowing through heavily forested terrain. Primitive camping options typically open earlier in spring and stay open later into fall than developed campgrounds, with most accepting reservations April through December.

What to do

Paddle the reservoir waters: At Big Run State Park Campground, campers can easily access Savage River Reservoir for kayaking. "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," notes a visitor, adding that "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking."

Tackle mountain biking trails: Western Maryland offers excellent riding opportunities within a short drive from campgrounds. "The whole campground sits in kind of a valley along a creek running into the reservoir. It's kind of spread out but seemed nice," writes a camper at Tub Run, who visited specifically "for a weekend to go rafting."

Fish for trout in mountain streams: Campsites along creeks provide direct access to fishing. "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," reports a camper at Big Run State Park. Look for spots where streams widen into small pools for the best fishing access.

Explore hiking networks: The region connects multiple trail systems across state parks. "Plenty of hiking in the park and in the adjacent parks like New Germany state park," writes a Savage River camper. Many trails feature elevation changes of 500-800 feet, offering moderately challenging hiking with scenic rewards.

What campers like

Seclusion between sites: Savage River State Forest receives praise for its widely spaced campsites. "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," shares one camper. Another adds, "There are no amenities here besides a picnic table and a fire ring, but the sites are so spread out that it's basically like dispersed camping but on a paved road."

Old-growth forest settings: The natural landscape creates immersive environments. At New Germany State Park Campground, a visitor describes it as "a small park nestled in a little pristine valley that feels like you are in another world! You are surrounded by old growth hemlock, miles of trails, and a good lake."

Waterfront camping options: Sites near streams are particularly coveted. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" says a Big Run camper. Another visitor to the same park notes, "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water."

Well-marked trail systems: Navigational aids make exploration accessible. "Trails are very nicely kept and clear with maps at every intersection so getting lost is very unlikely," describes a camper at Swallow Falls State Park. This level of trail maintenance is consistent throughout the region's parks.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal connectivity. "Personally I think the seclusion is well worth the price, but it's worth mentioning that to get potable water we had to drive ~20 minutes. Same deal as far as the for-better-or-worse, but we had no cell service at all for most of the area," reports a Savage River camper.

Temperature variations: The mountain climate brings significant cooling. "I went camping the last week of August and it was beautiful. If you're from the area you know how hot it can be at this time of year but it's at least 10 degrees cooler out here," shares a Savage River visitor.

Insects can be prevalent: Bug protection is essential during warm months. A visitor to Rocky Gap State Park Campground notes, "A lot of gnats and other bugs but no mosquitoes to speak of," while another camper at a different park mentions, "Be prepared for mosquitoes and gnats."

Water access varies by location: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water on site. "Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park," explains a Big Run camper. Carry extra water or know where to refill before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Choose lake-adjacent campgrounds: Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground offers family-friendly water activities. "The lake is absolutely beautiful and perfect for all types of water sports. It's great for all ages as well, with things to do to keep everybody entertained," shares a visitor. The park maintains a swimming beach with lifeguards during summer months.

Look for level tent sites: Some campgrounds offer better setup conditions than others. "Our tent sites were very nice sitting on raised mounds so you would stay fairly dry if it rained," notes a camper at Yough Lake Campground.

Visit during firefly season: Early summer brings natural light shows. A Savage River camper reports, "We saw no wildlife until we left the site in the morning and saw some deer on the road. Though we did have a spectacular firefly display at night."

Consider cabins during shoulder seasons: When temperatures drop, furnished shelters provide comfort. "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," mentions a New Germany visitor.

Tips from RVers

Select campgrounds with adequate hookups: Swallow Falls State Park Campground provides limited but valuable electric sites. "We stayed on site#40 in the Garrett Loop. It is one of only three FHU sites in this loop(the rest are primitive tent sites). The site was level, spacious, beautifully shaded, and convenient to the bath house," shares an RV camper.

Understand site limitations: Many campgrounds have size restrictions. "The roads were very narrow, with a decent incline, so not big-rig friendly," notes a New Germany visitor. Most parks accommodate smaller RVs up to 30 feet, but larger vehicles have fewer options.

Plan for water fill locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site water hookups. "The water hookups weren't working at the time, but we were able to connect in Cherry Loop and fill our tank," explains a camper at Ohiopyle State Park, highlighting the importance of knowing where to access utilities.

Check site levelness before booking: Many campground sites in the mountains require leveling. "Our site backed up to the creek but surprisingly, there was not a lot of water flowing in the spring," notes a Laurel Hill camper, adding "All sites are gravel; most appeared level, but some did not."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Grantsville, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Grantsville, MD offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Grantsville, MD and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Grantsville, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grantsville, MD is Savage River State Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grantsville, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Grantsville, MD.

What parks are near Grantsville, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Grantsville, MD that allow camping, notably Youghiogheny River Lake and Jennings Randolph Lake.