168 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Western Maryland's Swanton area features several state parks and forests with diverse camping options within the Appalachian highlands. Deep Creek Lake State Park, located directly in Swanton, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with seasonal availability from April 15 to December 15. Nearby Big Run State Park provides more primitive tent-only camping year-round, with sites positioned along streams and near the reservoir for paddling access. Within a short drive, campers can reach Swallow Falls State Park with its level, forested sites and proximity to Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls. Savage River State Forest extends the camping options with more secluded sites spaced far apart along park roads, offering a more remote experience.
Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Remember Western Maryland is bear country, but also deer, eagle, hawk, and plenty of fish." Winter camping is limited, with many facilities closing between December and April. Poison ivy is common throughout the area, requiring caution when walking through vegetation. Maryland's "can't bring your own firewood" policy applies to most state parks to prevent pest introduction. Cell service varies by location but is generally reliable near developed campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically remain moderate with highs rarely exceeding 85°F, while afternoon rain showers are common in the mountains.
The waterfront camping experiences receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly for family outings. "The lake is absolutely beautiful and perfect for all types of water sports. It's great for all ages," reported one Deep Creek Lake camper. Bathhouses at most developed campgrounds are well-maintained, with several reviewers noting their cleanliness. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering well-spaced sites separated by vegetation while others place campsites closer together. Fishing opportunities abound, with bass being commonly caught in Deep Creek Lake. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with Swallow Falls offering easy trails suitable for children leading to multiple waterfalls and swimming holes along the Youghiogheny River.
"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."
from $22 - $33 / night
Check Availability"Camp site(Tent camping) Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful."
"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. The fishing was a lot of fun as well."
from $21 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $18 - $117 / night
Check Availability"General: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there)."
"Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site."
from $22 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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"Like many state park campgrounds, each of the campsites are not that dispersed, so you will be right next to everyone else."
"Our site was near the edge of the campground, which is basically a large grassy area with a bathroom in the middle of the loop."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
from $24 - $72 / night
Check Availability"Far enough away from the next campsite to enjoy peace and seclusion. Next to a crik for those nighttime lullabies"
from $5 - $20 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe spots are spread out and the trees are beautiful. The people are so nice. The drive in is tight narrow lanes. We stayed one night at #49, pull through with water and electric, no sewer. We booked #43 but Becky moved us to 49 cuz it’s more level.
ScoutSuch a hidden gem! Beautiful place. Great host! Just what we were looking for
ScoutWe stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
TravelerStayed one night. Close to Fallingwater and Fort Necessity. The campsite was terrible; close to water and buggy, steep grade required lots of blocking to level the camper and challenging to hook up to the vehicle. Thick canopy kept Starlink from working. The worst part was the bathrooms. The one closest to our spot had no hot water. So we had to walk about a half a mile to two other restrooms and showers within 100 yards of each other. Makes no sense. Anyway, both bathrooms were filthy, had paint peeling everywhere, lots of black mold growing on the ceilings, growing everywhere. No place to hang clothes while taking a shower. One of the two toilets in each of the men’s room was probably 3 feet off the ground. Made for giants I guess! And good luck finding the visitor center. It’s hidden from view and parking is terrible. You’ll have to walk 150 yards from the nearest point of the parking lot to find it. To walk there from the bus and RV parking, add an additional 1/4 mile each way. Be aware that the visitor center store does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Who does that? It’s 2026 Pennsylvania!
ScoutWe are here for a month and it feels like we have the place to ourselves!
TravelerWe love it here so much we almost never leave. There is a creek, playground and games for the kids year round. The lake is great for fishing, boating, swimming and more from March-August usually but even longer this year it seems. They are INCREDIBLY strict about 5mph and I LOVE THAT! My 8 year old can run around and be a kid at camp like I was without me being panicked. They even have events once a month. They are constantly adding and upgrading around the campground. Everything from walk to primitive sites to full hook ups and dry cabins.
Highly recommend for a long or short get away.
RangerI stayed at two sites at Ohiopyle and I’ll say it again—picking the loop that best fits your equipment is key to enjoying your camping experience here. Not all loops are created equal! My second, and heavy favorite, was my site on Ivy Road. The sites were had more privacy and most importantly, were far more level and easier to access. This loop/road is also more central to the rest of the campground, the dumpsters, and had access to much nicer (still a smidge dingy), larger bathrooms. The cell service here was also decent as this road is in a less hilly area within the campground.
While the park and town are excellent for exploring, I found that the highlight of my trip was Fallingwater—it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house (personally, I think his best) that offers tours and I was shocked to find that it was less than 10 minutes away. If you need a break from hiking and the river, I cannot recommend it enough!
RangerMy happiness with Ohiopyle SP started off rocky from the start due to two factors, which can also impact your stay:
No matter what Google Maps tells you, try to avoid taking Sugarloaf Rd into the park—it’s a very steep dirt road that is not at all direct, despite popping you out in the middle of town (which was widely surreal as I landed in the middle of some kind of festival), but most importantly there is no cell service which is frustrating when you’re unexpectedly routed down backroads as night approaches
which loop you stay in really matters, more so than many other parks I’ve stayed at. My first few nights were on Hickory road and many were small and wildly unleveled—I saw one individual give up trying to get his small RV backed in due to the site being a basin shape. So you truly need to do your research and find a site that fits your equipment. The bathroom in this leg was also small and dingy, to put it nicely, but serviceable. Personally, I would not stay in Hickory again.
That said, this is a beautiful park with phenomenal hiking and water adventures. The town (which is in the park) was also quaint and lovely, with a variety of food and shopping options.
ScoutWe had a delightful 2 night stay at Rocky Gap in the Dogwood loop. This campsite was beautiful, well maintained and clean, with great access from our area in Dogwood to both the trails and the beach. The campsite itself was a large pull-through, wooded site, that accommodated our big tent and glamping set up for a family of four. The beach was adorable, with a snack bar, playground, nature center and camp store, and I loved that it was only for the campground's use. We took the lake trail walk one day and got to see the campsites that are right across from the lake with amazing views! Minor complaints are that you can hear the roadway from the campsite (didn't really bother us, just noting it) and there's not a ton of privacy in the campground. Neither of these things detracted from our enjoyment of the park and campground though!
Swanton, Maryland features a cluster of developed campgrounds centered around the Deep Creek Lake region, with both state and federally managed options ranging from basic to full-service facilities. The Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground provides tent and RV sites along with cabin and yurt accommodations, operating from April through December with electric hookups and modern amenities. Nearby Swallow Falls State Park Campground offers similar accommodations with access to old-growth forests and waterfalls. Between these established campgrounds and the nearby Savage River and Potomac State Forests, camping options span from rustic tent sites to glamping experiences.
The camping season in western Maryland generally runs from spring through late fall, with several campgrounds closing during winter months. A visitor commented, "We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night." Road access is generally good to most developed sites, though some primitive areas in the state forests require more careful navigation. Most campgrounds in the region provide standard amenities including potable water, restrooms, and picnic tables, while bears are common throughout the area necessitating proper food storage. Each campground has specific regulations regarding pets, alcohol, and fire restrictions, with state park campgrounds typically prohibiting alcohol consumption.
Campers regularly highlight the natural beauty of the Deep Creek Lake area, with its mix of mountain forests and water recreation opportunities. The region draws visitors seeking both developed campgrounds with amenities and more secluded forested sites. One camper wrote, "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." While some mixed-use campgrounds can become crowded during peak summer months, particularly near water access points, the surrounding state forests offer more solitude. Campground options vary considerably in site spacing, with some offering more privacy than others. Many campgrounds provide bear-resistant storage containers at each site, reflecting the active wildlife in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in Swanton, California?
Western Maryland offers several excellent camping options near the Swanton area. Big Run State Park Campground provides beautiful wooded sites adjacent to streams, with some spots offering reservoir access perfect for canoes and kayaks. The campground is clean and well-maintained. Another great option is Savage River State Forest, which provides a more remote camping experience with access to pristine wilderness areas. For those seeking additional options, New Germany State Park and Swallow Falls State Park are within reasonable driving distance.
What outdoor activities are available near Swanton campgrounds?
The Swanton area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground offers a beautiful lake perfect for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and various water sports. Bass fishing is particularly popular here. At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, you can enjoy hiking through beautiful forests and accessing spectacular waterfalls. Other activities in the region include mountain biking on numerous trails, wildlife viewing, photography, and during winter months, nearby access to skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
When is the best time of year to camp in Swanton?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) offers the best camping conditions in the Swanton area. Rocky Gap State Park Campground is particularly beautiful during summer months when you can fully enjoy the lakeside activities. Summer visitors might witness spectacular firefly displays at night. Red Creek Campground is open from April through December, with the roads closing during winter months. Fall brings spectacular foliage colors to the region, making September-October ideal for photographers and hikers, while spring offers wildflower blooms and moderate temperatures.
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