A CAMPER’S PARADISE With 17 state parks, three state forests, and more lakefront land than you’ll find anywhere else in Maryland, Western Maryland features plenty of idyllic spots for you to pitch your tent. If glamping’s your thing, consider a weekend retreat to the Blue Moon Rising Cabins near Deep Creek Lake. Paddlers will find more than 100 campsites in Green Ridge State Forest near the town of Little Orleans (population 42) on the banks of the Potomac River, and Rocky Gap State Park has nearly 300 sites around Lake Habeeb. Hard-core campers get what they’re looking for in Big Run State Park with 29 primitive sites. History lovers will love primeval Garrett State Forest, the westernmost and oldest state forest in Maryland. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp Resort in Williamsport will delight any child. And for a fairytale getaway, consider a stay in a cozy treehouse. Western Maryland is home to Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses on the edge of the Savage River State Forest and the Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree just outside of Boonsboro at the entrance to Gathland State Park. EVEN THE FESTIVALS ARE OUTDOORS Western Maryland is great for white-water paddling, hiking through the great outdoors, riding ATVs, and traveling atop snow covered trails. It is also where you will find some of the most eclectic and entertaining festivals in the country. Oakland’s Autumn Glory Festival is in October; the five-day fête combines the best of small-town celebrations with a truly epic display of fall color that has earned Oakland a reputation as the best fall foliage destination in the country. Deep Creek Lake hosts a bevy of festivals, including an Art, Beer and Wine Festival every September; Winterfest in February; and Fire on the Mountain each Fourth of July. There’s also the Garrett County Gran Fondo—a big bike ride—in June, and the Deep Creek Dunk in February. Here’s guessing you know what that entails... Grantsville hosts the National Road Festival in August, and Hagerstown’s annual Alsatia Mummers’ Parade has been happening every October for nearly a century and truly makes everyone who attends feel like they’ve come home for a holiday. And in nearby Sharpsburg, you must witness the eerie beauty of The Memorial Illumination. Set in the Antietam National Battlefield, 23,000 candles light up the December night, one for each soldier killed, wounded, or missing at the battle. And every summer in Cumberland, bluegrass great Del McCoury brings top players from around the world together for DelFest, a four-day festival that has quickly become the world’s premiere bluegrass and roots festival. Del Yeah! Photos: (clockwise from top left) Herrington Manor (Stephen Badger), Cumberland (Matthew Van Dyke) Deep Creek Lake State Park @jessesechrest 70 / VISITMARYLAND.ORG
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2021 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 70
