Big Run State Park Campground
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
No dedicated horse corrals are available at the campgrounds near McHenry, Maryland, though several accommodations accept pets and offer varied amenities for general camping. Big Run State Park Campground provides primitive tent camping with sites spread out along a stream. The campground maintains clean pit toilets and offers access to water and dump stations at nearby New Germany State Park. Campsites feature picnic tables and are situated in wooded areas, with some sites positioned directly along the creek, providing natural sounds as background noise during overnight stays.
Revelle's River Resort accepts pets and offers full hookup sites positioned along the river. The resort provides various accommodation types including tent sites, RV spaces with 50-amp service, cabins, glamping options, and yurts. Facilities include showers, toilets, drinking water, sewer hookups, and a camp store stocked with basic supplies. Weekend activities are organized for guests, and the proximity to the Monongahela National Forest creates opportunities for outdoor recreation. The area has limited cell service due to the nearby Green Bank radio telescopes, and reservations are recommended during peak seasons.
"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"Restaurant, Shavers Saloon, was walking distance and had full bar with good food. Service there was great. Bathrooms were older but very clean. Plenty of hot water."
"This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river and the seasonal campers spread out around."
"I go there to climb and both sites are close to the rocks. I have camped there just about every month of the year. Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
Generous sized sites, quiet, beautiful area.
My family and I liked this campground a lot. We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river and the seasonal campers spread out around. The camp store was nice with everything you need, and the staff and owners were friendly as well. We were there for a long weekend and all agreed we would go back.
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. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
I have been camping there since 1972. Both upper and lower sites The lower is quiter. It can be crowded on weekends in the summer but with no designated sites there always seems to be space. The upper site has a really nice new heated shower house. I go there to climb and both sites are close to the rocks. I have camped there just about every month of the year. Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes.
We really enjoyed our stay and highly recommend it. Revelle is family operated, and it’s obvious they take pride in their work. The grounds are nicely kept, and the bathrooms are very clean indeed. They have weekend activities for guests, and a small convenient store that’s well stocked with the basics. We were feet from the river and it was super peaceful. Beware though, their WiFi only works near the main office. Five stars for sure.
Landed here after a road trip and it was great after sleeping in the car for a few nights. There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked. The pit toilets were a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I’ve seen. Definitely Would come back for a short stay - probably not for a whole camping trip.
This place is a gem! Nice wide open site. 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. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites. Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park.
I stopped at Yokum’s Store to get my camping permit (make sure you arrive during business hours) and drove to the Lower Campgrounds by the river. I couldn’t figure out why I was the only one picking a choice spot by the river. The first night was great. I had a little trail down to the waters edge and sat on giant boulders to eat my meals. I should have checked the weather. The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising. I was so scared I went and slept in my car somewhere else. Later I learned this area is prone to flooding. It’s a great campground Uber close to Seneca Rocks if the weather is good. I would camp here again.
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. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
Primitive camping options dominate the countryside near McHenry, Maryland, where the landscape features rolling hills and mountain terrain. The area sits at elevations between 2,400 and 3,000 feet, creating cooler temperatures year-round compared to lower-lying Maryland regions. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region due to nearby Green Bank radio telescopes which restrict signal transmission.
Fishing opportunities: Big Run State Park Campground provides direct creek access where visitors can fish for native trout. According to visitor Nathan S., "Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites."
Kayaking excursions: The Savage River reservoir near camping areas offers excellent paddling options. Mark K. reports, "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking." Rental equipment is available seasonally at nearby outfitters.
Railroad tours: When staying at Revelle's River Resort, consider exploring historic railroad excursions. Misty C. mentions, "Very centrally located to many fun attractions including the railroad tours, Mongahelia National Forest, Davis and Elkins College, etc."
Riverfront sites: Many campers appreciate waterside camping locations. Kevin C. from Revelle's River Resort shares, "We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river."
Natural soundscape: The running water creates peaceful background noise for sleeping. Katie H. notes, "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
Privacy between sites: Campsites at Big Run State Park Campground offer good separation. One visitor explains, "Nice wide open site... Pit toilets were pretty clean. So quiet and very little traffic. Tons of space between sites."
Flooding potential: Low-lying camping areas can experience rapid water rise during heavy rains. Kelly G. warns about Yokums Vacationland, "I should have checked the weather. The skies opened up, a large limb fell on my tent and the water level began rising. I was so scared I went and slept in my car somewhere else. Later I learned this area is prone to flooding."
Limited connectivity: Cell service restrictions affect the entire region. Randall T. cautions, "Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
Permit requirements: Some campgrounds require permits obtained during business hours. Kelly G. advises, "I stopped at Yokum's Store to get my camping permit (make sure you arrive during business hours) and drove to the Lower Campgrounds by the river."
Shallow water play: Children can safely enjoy creek exploration at appropriate sites. Andy C. from Big Run State Park Campground shares, "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."
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize family-friendly events. Paul S. notes about Revelle's River Resort, "They have weekend activities for guests, and a small convenient store that's well stocked with the basics."
Horse camping alternatives: No dedicated horse corrals exist in campgrounds directly near McHenry, Maryland. Families seeking equestrian camping must travel approximately 35 miles to specialized facilities in neighboring counties.
Suitable site numbers: RVers should research specific site dimensions before arrival. Andy C. recommends site #73 at Big Run: "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek... Many other sites/options for 26ft ish size camper."
Clean facilities: Despite primitive settings, bathrooms remain well-maintained. Todd C. from Revelle's notes, "Bathrooms were older but very clean. Plenty of hot water."
Camp store convenience: On-site stores provide essential supplies. Paul S. mentions, "They have weekend activities for guests, and a small convenient store that's well stocked with the basics."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mchenry, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mchenry, MD is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mchenry, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Mchenry, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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