Maple Festival Park (near GAP Trail)

We’ve camped in a lot of places, from remote islands, alpine glaciers, to downtown parks, and yet none have displayed the unique mix of this quaint little corner of Meyersdale, PA. Yes, this small homestead, right in the middle of a residential block, hosts the annual March tradition of the Maple festival, and has been crowning “Maple Queens” for 75 years! (Check out the regal photo display in the office for a quick scan of a fashion timeline.) For the rest of the spring, summer, and fall they welcome hikers and cyclists with open arms! 

Set your tent up on the lawn, up on the stage, or under the long lean-to, if you want to get out of the weather. It’s all up for grabs for the night. The neighborhood cat will come to greet you, maybe even curl up on your sleeping bag!  She’s a sweetheart! Bathrooms are just as quirky but clean and functional with warm showers and flush toilets. 

Downtown has a number of options for food, but don’t expect a lot of nightlife in this quiet place. The train line, and the trail, are a steep hike up the hill from the rest of town, so the noise is much less bothersome during the night. And, you are only about 8 miles from the Eastern Continental Divide!