The Deep Creek Blog

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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