The Deep Creek Blog

Camp Hosts Wanted at New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park is seeking applicants for a Camp Host position for the 2012 camping season.  Camp Hosts are a valuable part of the volunteer team at the park.  Hosts provide assistance with a variety of tasks throughout the camping season, including welcoming new campers, keeping campsites clean, promoting park programs and events, and providing campers with general information about the park and surrounding area.  Camp Hosts are required to contribute at least twenty hours of volunteer work each week, for a minimum of four weeks.  In return for their efforts, Camp Hosts receive a free campsite with electric hook-ups.  Interested persons are encouraged to apply at the New Germany Ranger Station.  A background check is required. For more information, please call 301-895-5453.

NRP Urges Safety Over Holiday Weekend

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) reminds citizens to make safety a priority during the last holiday weekend of the summer.

“Labor Day is the unofficial transition from summer to fall activities,” said Col. George Johnson IV. “Families will continue to enjoy camping, boating and fishing in the cooler September weather, and, as various hunting seasons begin, we urge everyone to make safety the top priority while enjoying any of these activities.”

Maryland has experienced a usually high number of boating deaths this year and NRP will step up its enforcement in an effort to maintain safe waterways. Over the weekend, NRP will focus their enforcement effort on those activities that contribute to boating accidents, such as alcohol, negligent operation, bow riding and navigational violations.

The cooler weather signals a renewed interest in camping and park recreation during the fall. NRP reminds State Park and campground visitors to obey the law and be courteous to other visitors. Hikers and campers should inform friends or relatives of their plans before they depart, including destination and trip length. This information will assist NRP if campers/hikers do not return on time.

September is the start of several hunting seasons, including dove, early resident goose, squirrel and deer seasons. NRP reminds hunters to always think about safety before entering the field, marsh or woodlands. Remember to always point the muzzle of your weapon in a safe direction and identify your target before pulling the trigger.  Also, always use a fall restraint system when hunting from elevated platforms.  First time hunters are reminded of the requirement to complete a hunter safety course before going hunting.   For more information on hunting safety courses please visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/hunter_education.asp.

Visit Maryland State Parks with a Park Passport

The 2010 Maryland State Park Passports are now available online.  A passport gets you unlimited day-use entry for up to 10 people in your vehicle at state parks with a 2010 Maryland State Park Passport. Buy it now online and use it for the remainder of this year. The passport is $75 for state residents, $100 for non-residents. You also get unlimited boat launching and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. __________________________________________________________________________________________

2009 Maryland State Park Passports

Enjoy three months worth of free visits with a purchase of a 2009 Maryland State Park Passport. 
Individuals who purchase a 2009 Maryland State Park Passport now, may visit any Maryland State Park for free for the next three months.   This is perfect for hikers, boaters, and picnickers as the passport gives unlimited day-use entry for up to nine people in a vehicle to any of Maryland's 49 state parks; free boat launching at all facilities; and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. Click here for details. <http://www.easycart.net/MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources/Park_Passes.html>

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Green Camping Tips

Patty Manown Mash sent over this useful link to some green camping tips.

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Welcome Double G RV Park and D&W Storage

Welcome Double G RV Park and D&W Storage to the Deep Creek Blog Business Directory.  The RV park is located in McHenry, just a short distance from Deep Creek Lake.  Each site is equipped with water, electric, sewage, cable television, a fire ring, picnic table and gravel pad.  Pets are also welcome.   The Park also contains a bathhouse, laundry facility, camp store, L.P. Gas, and a playground.  Boat and RV Storage is also available.  Seasonal campers enjoy unlimited use from May 1 until October 31 with free exterior boat storage (in season and one per site only).  For more details about Double G RV Park visit www.doublegrvpark.com.

Store your RV, boat or jet ski at D&W Storage, located at Double G RV Park.  They offer both indoor and outdoor storage in the summer and indoor storage only in the winter.  In the summer, storage is offered conveniently by the day, week or month.  For rates and more details visit http://www.doublegrvpark.com/storage.php.

State Parks Offer Green Trash Bags to Visitors

The Maryland Park Service now offers environmentally-friendly trash-free bags in all state parks for visitors use. Composed of bio-plastics which are derived from renewable plants such as corn or tapioca, these bags will decompose in 6 to 10 months -- a much greener alternative to the standard, oil-based plastic bags previously used.

Maryland State Parks remain trash-free, meaning that any materials brought into the park by visitors must also leave with them. As a courtesy, the Maryland Park Service provides bags for visitors to easily store their trash until they reach a recycling or trash receptacle outside of the park. For more information, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/outdooradventures/lnt.html.

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Great American Backyard Campout Day in Maryland

Today is the Great American Backyard Campout Day in Maryland.  Children and families are encouraged to embark on an outdoor adventure either in their favorite state park, a private campground or in their own backyard.

“Summer months can be the best time for children and their families to enjoy the outdoors together,” said Governor O’Malley. “State parks and forests all across Maryland offer affordable recreational activities for people of all walks of life and Great American Campout Day creates another great reason for friends and families to learn and play together outdoors.”

“Overnight camping is a great way to immerse yourself in Maryland’s natural wonders,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Last year, 735,465 campers took advantage of the affordable, accessible overnight facilities at state parks and forests.”

Maryland’s state parks, forests and other public lands offer more than 2,340 affordable campsites and 129 cabins.  Camping reservations can be made online at www.dnr.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-432-2267. 

For a complete list of state parks that offer camp sites and facilities, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/campinginfo.html.  For more information about Great American Campout Day visit www.backyardcampout.org.

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Maryland's Waterfalls

The Daily Record began a three part series yesterday on Maryland's waterfalls, starting with Great Falls in Montgomery County.  Look for Garrett County's falls to follow. 

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Make Your 2008 State Park Reservations On Line

The State Park Reservation System was recently upgraded and is online and ready to serve your reservation needs. Last year almost 90% of state park reservations were made online. Visit the system at http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us.

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Camping Updates for Garrett County

Thanks to Patty at the Discovery Center for sending updated information today regarding the camping status of State Parks in the area.  The campgrounds at Deep Creek Lake State Park and New Germany State Park are now closed for the season.  The cabins at New Germany State Park and Herrington Manor State Park are open year round. 

Camping is still available at Big Run State Park or Swallow Falls State Park.  Big Run is semi-primitive and Swallow Falls is only open until December 9th.

Primitive camping is available at Potomac/Garrett State Forest or the Savage River Forest.

For those of you not necessarily into camping, but still wanting to connect with nature, the Discovery Center remains open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Arrangements can be made in advance for group programs or tours. 

Below are phone numbers and links for more information.

Big Run State Park - 301-895-5453

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center - 301-387-7067

Herrington Manor State Park - 301-334-9180

New Germany State Park - 301-895-5453

Potomac-Garrett State Forest - 301-334-2038

Savage River State Forest - 301-895-5759

Swallow Falls State Park -301-334-9180

 

 

Leave Your Firewood at Home

If you're planning on camping at the lake or any other area in Garrett County this summer, please don't bring fire wood in from out of state. David Dishneau from the AP reports, in an effort to prevent the emerald ash borer from destroying more ash trees, officials are urging campers to leave their fire wood at home. 

Officials in Maryland are especially worried about visitors from Ohio, just 70 miles from the state's western border, bringing infested wood into the heavily forested panhandle that includes the Deep Creek Lake resort area and a half-dozen state campgrounds. The state Agriculture Department has identified hundreds of Ohio and Michigan residents who own land in western Maryland, and has sent letters urging them to leave their wood at home, said Carol Holko, the agency's plant-protection chief.

"We're trying to do a lot of outreach, that moving firewood is just a bad idea," she said.

Koehn said Maryland's firewood policy will be modeled after a voluntary ban announced last month by Catoctin Mountain Park, a national park in north-central Maryland.

"We're not going to throw anybody in jail," he said. But "we could revoke camping permits if we have repeat offenders."

He said campers will be asked to buy firewood in the park - it costs $4.74 a bundle at Deep Creek Lake State Park - or from nearby private vendors. The firewood offered for sale at Deep Creek and nearby Herrington Manor State Park is locally harvested, said William Aspinall, executive director of Appalachian Crossroads, the supplier.

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