ALCO Visitor Guide 2025 Paperturn - Flipbook - Page 21
PARKS AND FORESTS
CYCLING
One in every four acres of land in Allegany County is
public land between its five state parks and state forest.
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres
of land with sheer cliffs, overlooks, and a hemlock forest
dense with rhododendron and mountain laurel. The park is
one of the top-explored Maryland parks for camping and
day-use recreation. Green Ridge State Forest is the largest
contiguous state forest in Maryland at 49,000 acres and is
rich in natural and cultural heritage. The forest is managed
as a working forest to conserve the natural ecological
processes while supporting the economy of the region by
offering recreation activities such as off-roading trails,
horseback riding, mountain biking, backpacking, primitive
camping, and challenging hikes. Also check out the
smaller but still mighty Dans Mountain State Park, which
offers an Olympic-size swimming pool with a water slide
as well as a newly constructed mountain biking trail, and
Sideling Hill Creek State Park, Allegany County’s newest
state park with 865 acres of mountainous forest land and
majestic views from the Potomac River Overlook.
Mountain Maryland is full of cycling trails and road
routes that take you into rural areas showcasing the
beauty of our region. Enjoy incredible terrain on the
trails at Rocky Gap State Park, Dans Mountain State
Park, and Green Ridge State Forest. Or, explore our
road routes through the RidewithGPS app to
experience ideal, low-traffic riding conditions on
mapped routes such as the Mount Savage Lollipop
or the Lake Loop. And we can’t forget the Great
Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath, two
internationally recognized trails that connect to form
333.5 miles of continuous, car-free trail from Pittsburgh,
PA, to Washington, DC, and meet in the heart of
downtown Cumberland, MD.
HIKING
Enjoy 200 miles of developed trail systems for hiking,
biking, and paddling. Rocky Gap State Park offers easy
trails such as the Canyon Overlook Trail and the Touch
of Nature Trail to the more moderate Lakeside Loop Trail,
a 5.3-mile trail encircling Lake Habeeb. Green Ridge State
Forest has over 80 miles of trails open to hikers, mountain
bikers, and even horseback riders of any ability, plus they
offer the county’s premier off-road vehicle trails.
PADDLING
Rivers, lakes, and streams - if you crave water, then head
to our mountains. The Potomac River forms the entire
southern border of Allegany County and provides
stunning scenery and mild rapids, making for an easy float
or paddle for any level. Separated into three sections for
public access, the Potomac River is perfect for anything
from short two-hour float trips to all-day excursions.
Rocky Gap State Park is home to Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre
lake fed by Rocky Gap Run. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and
paddle boarding as well as swimming, with access to two
public beaches and a private camping beach.
ROCK CLIMBING
Rocky Gap State Park is a hidden gem for rock climbing
enthusiasts. Located near the Canyon Overlook Trail,
this crag features nearly two dozen established routes,
primarily top-rope, ranging from beginner-friendly to
advanced. Climbers enjoy its shaded rock faces yearround, with spring and fall being the prime seasons.
Whether you’re just starting or seeking a new challenge,
Rocky Gap’s diverse climbs make it a must-visit destination
in Mountain Maryland.
GOLF
Rocky Gap Casino Resort offers Maryland’s only Jack
Nicklaus Design Golf Course. This 18-hole course offers
the beauty of the Mountain Maryland as your backdrop,
the blue waters of the adjacent Lake Habeeb, and rolling
meadows as you make your way through the course. Be
sure to also check out Fore Sisters Golf Course nestled in
300 acres of hardwood and evergreen forests offering
unparalleled vistas and exceptional hospitality. Rather
play some disc golf instead? Check out the first public
disc golf course in Allegany County at the Hoffman Park
Disc Golf Course or the newly constructed course on the
stunning property of Locust Post Brewery.
MDMOUNTAINSIDE.COM
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