Camping cabin accommodations near Oakland, Maryland range from rustic one-room structures to fully-equipped cottages with modern amenities. Located in the Allegheny Mountains at elevations averaging 2,400 feet, this region experiences cooler temperatures than the rest of Maryland, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. The area contains the largest concentration of state parks and forests in Maryland, creating abundant options for visitors seeking cabin rentals throughout the region.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 53-foot cascade at Swallow Falls features Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's highest waterfall. "Swallow falls is awesome year round. In the winter the snow and ice is beautiful, fall is lovely and summer is fun," notes one Swallow Falls State Park visitor. The hiking trails connect directly to many camping areas for convenient access.
Kayaking: Scenic paddling options on multiple lakes offer varied experiences for water enthusiasts. Herrington Manor State Park provides a peaceful lake setting where "the few times that we've visited, we've caught a bunch of chain pickerel, panfish, and a few bass." The lake also contains "TONS of salamanders along the shore, literally clouds of tadpoles near the launch docks."
Trail connectivity: Regional hiking network links multiple parks through wooded paths. The Kentuck Campground in nearby Ohiopyle State Park connects to extensive trail systems. "We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," reports a camper who appreciated the location for both hiking and biking activities.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings common throughout the area's parks and campgrounds. At Deep Creek Lake State Park, "the paths are littered with very docile deer and the lake is crystal clear." Campers frequently report seeing wildlife during their stays, with some mentioning regular bear sightings as well.
Cooler summer temperatures: Elevation advantage provides relief from Maryland's typical humidity. New Germany State Park benefits from its mountain setting, as "summer temps usually do not get as nice 85 max most of the summer." This makes cabins in western Maryland particularly appealing during peak summer months when lower elevations become uncomfortable.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise from visitors. Deep Creek Lake State Park campers note that "the bathrooms were quite possibly the cleanest camp bathrooms I've ever come across." Another visitor specifically mentioned that "bathrooms were clean" despite the campground being busy during their stay.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Food storage requirements vary by campground but are consistently enforced. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "there were bear boxes at each site" for secure food storage. A camper mentioned that "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."
Lake swimming conditions: Beach areas vary in size, cleanliness and bottom conditions. One visitor noted at Deep Creek Lake that "the only thing that I didn't liked was that were a lot of sharp stones on the bottom of the swimming part of the lake." Water quality is generally good but can be affected by weather and visitor volume.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between parks and specific locations within them. Many cabins in the area have no cell reception, particularly in more remote settings. A camper at New Germany State Park advised, "there is NO cell coverage, so bring your conversation starters or a book."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Recreation areas provide play spaces at several locations. At New Germany State Park, "for kids they have a small jungle gym and critter center. Overall a very nice family camping area." The park offers a combination of natural and constructed recreation opportunities.
Level campsites: Tent pad variations affect comfort for family camping. One camper at Swallow Falls noted, "the tent sites were completely level with no need to worry about rolling down a hill in my sleep, I slept great." This feature is particularly important for families with young children or those using larger family tents.
Firefly viewing: Seasonal light displays create memorable experiences. A camper at Deep Creek Lake reported, "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night." These natural displays typically occur in early summer and provide an engaging evening activity for children.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup options: Electric-only sites predominate throughout the region's parks. At Big Bear Lake Camplands, RVers can find more extensive hookup options than at state parks. Most state park campgrounds offer only limited electric sites, with one camper noting that "there are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops" at Swallow Falls.
Dump station locations: Plan for service availability when booking longer stays. Most state parks have dump stations near main entrance areas rather than at individual sites. RVers report that dump stations can become congested during peak checkout times, particularly on Sunday mornings and holiday weekends.
Site sizing inconsistency: Verify dimensions before booking for larger rigs. A visitor to New Germany State Park observed that "some of the sites are close together, some are not as large as they are made out to be on the reservation site." This presents challenges for RVers who need accurate site dimensions for planning purposes.
