Camping cabins near Mchenry, Maryland range in style from rustic to fully equipped structures with each location offering distinct amenities. The region sits at elevations between 2,300-3,000 feet in the Allegheny Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures typically 5-10 degrees below surrounding lowlands. Winter cabin camping often features snow accumulation from November through March with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Take a short hike to view Maryland's tallest waterfall at Swallow Falls State Park. "Muddy Creek Falls, 53 feet... Several other falls on the Youghiogheny River. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs camped on the site in 1918, and 1921," notes camper Marcandpatti B.
Historic site visits: Travel 25 minutes to nearby cultural attractions. The Herrington Manor State Park area provides access to numerous regional landmarks. "The park is about a mile or so down from Swallow Falls, and is also fairly close to Deep Creek Lake. The great thing, is that if you are camping at Swallow Falls, you get entry into Herrington Manor for free and visa versa," explains Jennifer S.
Paddling and fishing: Rent kayaks or canoes for lake exploration. "This lake is one of my husband's favorite fishing spots, especially on the kayaks. Even if you're not kayaking, it's just a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The few times that we've visited, we've caught a bunch of chain pickerel, panfish, and a few bass," mentions Danielle V. about Herrington Manor.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature separated camping areas. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "The sites are nicely spaced apart, the camp staff is helpful, and the showers are very clean. The camp Wi-Fi isn't the best but we did have cell service with Consumer Cellular (AT&T Towers) and were able to work while we camped," reports Kevin H.
Clean facilities: Most cabin locations maintain well-kept bathhouses. "Bathrooms in the Delphia loop were modern and very clean. The showers were very nice and rivaled any hotel shower I've had," shares Lee D. about Deep Creek Lake State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Local forests support diverse animal populations. "We were told there were regular bear sightings and there were bear boxes at each site; we saw many deer but not a single bear," notes a Deep Creek Lake visitor, while another camper at New Germany State Park mentions, "Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book far in advance for cabins. At New Germany State Park, "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.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies by location and carrier. "We did have cell service with Consumer Cellular (AT&T Towers) and were able to work while we camped," notes a Coopers Rock visitor, while a New Germany camper warns, "There is NO cell coverage, so bring your conversation starters or a book."
Weather considerations: Prepare for temperature fluctuations. "Summer temps usually do not get above 85° max most of the summer," reports Bill G. about New Germany State Park, while other areas report temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night in spring and fall.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select cabin locations with designated play areas. At Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground, "Got a nice secluded spot to camp in the wooded area that had amazing mountain views and the star gazing platform. Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!" reports Tom C.
Water activities: Choose cabins near swimming areas. "The small lake was perfect for swimming and they had canoes and kayak rentals on site," mentions Natalee M. about Yough Lake, while a New Germany camper notes, "The lake has a small beach and the water is always cool."
Nature programs: Check for seasonal educational events. "For kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center," says Jillian K. about New Germany State Park, providing educational opportunities during summer months when interpretive programs typically run.
Tips for RVers
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with appropriate accommodations. At Yough Lake Campground at Tub Run, "We camped here with our RV and boat. We stayed creekside to take advantage of the sewer connections... The boat ramp, slips and trailer storage made it an easy boating/camping vacation spot," advises Kathy G.
Utility availability: Verify hookup types before booking. "There are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops," notes a Swallow Falls camper, while at Deep Creek Lake, "One loop (the Meshach Browning Loop) has electric hookups; the other loops do not."
Access considerations: Check road conditions and restrictions. "The roads were very narrow, with a decent incline, so not big-rig friendly," advises one camper about New Germany State Park, while others note seasonal road closures affect several areas between November and April.
