Campgrounds and RV parks near Mountain Lake Park, MD

Waterfalls are the local headline. Swallow Falls State Park contains Tolliver Falls and Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall at 53 feet, reached by a short loop trail through old-growth hemlocks. The park also borders the Wild and Scenic Youghiogheny River. Deep Creek Lake State Park offers two swimming beaches, roughly 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a 6,000 square foot Discovery Center, along with a boat launch, fishing docks, and a designated hunting area in season. Lostland Run in Potomac State Forest has a trail following a mountain stream with a suspension bridge crossing, native brook trout, and views toward the confluence with the North Branch of the Potomac. Wolf Den Run is the motorized option, with color-coded OHV loops for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and street-legal 4x4s. Snowmobiling is permitted on the Huckleberry Rocks loop when snowpack allows.

Garrett County sits above 2,400 feet, so seasons run cooler and wetter than the rest of Maryland. Oakland records some of the state's heaviest snowfall totals, and winter driving on forest roads can be difficult. Primitive sites in Potomac State Forest are generally available year-round, but access depends on plowing and conditions. Core camping season runs from mid-April through mid-December. The Meadow Mountain campground at Deep Creek Lake State Park is open from April 15 to December 15 annually. At Swallow Falls, campsites in the Garrett Loop can be reserved from the first weekend in April until the first weekend in December, while Tolliver Loop sites can be reserved from the Friday before Memorial Day until Labor Day. Peak demand runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, with lake-adjacent sites and electric or hookup spots filling first. Fall brings hardwood color across the plateau and cooler nights well suited to RV travel. Wolf Den Run closes to motorized use for two weeks starting the first Saturday after Thanksgiving during the annual deer firearms season.

Facilities vary sharply by park. Swallow Falls and Deep Creek Lake offer modern bath houses and potable water. Swallow Falls has three full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer, plus three water and electric sites, and can accommodate rigs up to about 30 feet. Deep Creek Lake's Meadow Mountain campground has 26 sites with 30-amp electric, a dump station, and a water fill-up but no water hookups at individual sites. Potomac State Forest is primitive, with no power, water, or showers. Access at Lostland Run is tight, so large trailers and Class A rigs should scout ahead or choose Wallman. Wolf Den Run's campground has 10 primitive sites with a picnic table and fire ring, and portable restrooms at each end of the campground. Black bears live throughout Garrett County, so food storage rules apply at every site. Cell service is limited on forest roads.