Savage River State Forest, at over 54,000 acres, is the largest facility in the
state forest system. It preserves a strategic watershed in Garrett County.
Trail maps are available at the forest office, for all trails, including the 10 miles
of cross country ski trails. The forest is classified as a mixed hardwood forest.
More than 12,000 acres of the forest has been designated as Wildlands.
FEATURES
Biking trails, boat launch, cross country skiing, campsites, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trail, historic
interest, hunting, picnic, riding trails, shelters,
snowmobiling, white water canoeing. Pets are permitted but must be under control at all times.
State Forest regulations are posted in conspicuous locations throughout the
forest. Additional information and a map of the forest can be obtained by calling the Headquarters.
Camping - 52 primitive roadside sites are available. Self register for these sites at the Headquarters Office or at any of the six self-registration sites on the forest. You must register for the campsite within the first hour of occupancy. Campsites are limited to no more than 6 people per site, and no more than two camping units (tent, dining canopy, pop up, RV, or combination thereof) and two vehicles per site. Leave No Trace standards apply to all campsites as we try to accommodate use while minimizing our impact on the soils and vegetation in these areas.
Backpack camping is also permitted throughout the forest. Self register for these sites at the Headquarters Office or at any of the six self-registration sites on the forest, by filling out an envelope, enclosing the appropriate payment ($5/ night/ site) and enclosing a trip itinerary and the names of the people in your party. The same restrictions apply as listed above in terms of numbers of people and tents per site. Campfires are permitted in most areas of the forest. However, Wildland regulations prohibit the use of campfires in these 12,000 primitive acres of the forest for safety issues and to minimize impact of these fragile and sensitive areas. Be sure to check area maps for Wildland boundaries so that if you are backpack camping in a Wildlands area you are not building campfires. Again Leave No Trace guidelines apply to backpack camping as well. The day use of the area is free.
Trail Maps:
Trails - Trail maps are available at the park office, for all trails,
including the 10 miles of cross-country ski trails at New Germany State Park.
The Big Savage Trail is now open but the going is rough and recommended
for only the most experienced hikers with excellent navigation skills. The ice
storm of 2002 and Gypsy Moth defoliations in 2006 and 2007 have ravaged the
forest canopy over large areas of the trail, allowing sunlight to proliferate an
abundance of vegetative growth on the forest floor thus obscuring the trail in
many locations. Volunteer efforts are underway to clear these overgrown sections
but until the forest canopy reestablishes itself at some point in the future
keeping the trail open will continue to be a challenge.
Mountain Bikes - Mountain bikes are allowed on all hiking trails except for
Monroe Run and Big Savage. Visitors can ride non-motorized bikes on many of
the trails and roads in the state forest but are asked to exercise extreme
caution, especially on blind curves.
Backpackers - A permit may be obtained at the Savage River office to backpack
and camp in the state forest.
ORV Use - Snowmobile and off-the-road vehicle (ORV) operators must have a
current Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ORV sticker, available at
the state forest headquarters. ORV operators are restricted to use of designated ORV trails. Open riding is not permitted.
Pets - Allowed in all areas with a leash.
![[Disabled accessible]](/art/hgaccess.gif)
Accessibility for the disabled - SRSF offers several handicapped hunter
access roads which are open to hunters throughout the hunting season. These roads
will be recognized by the "Vehicle Access by Special Permit Only" sign at the road
entrance. Hunters must have a valid permit in their possession and a "Permit
Display Card" on their vehicle. Permit applications may be obtained from the
Wildlife Regional Service Center (301) 777-2136, located at 3 Pershing Street,
Room 110 Cumberland, Maryland 21502. For further information you may contact our
office at (301) 895-5759.
For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Location - The state forest is in central and eastern Garrett County, off
Interstate 68.
Savage River State Forest
127 Headquarters Lane
Grantsville, Md 21536
(301) 895-5759
Top Photograph by Tom Darden
