Rocky Hole State Park, Maryland, Information

It’s true, Maryland’s Japanese Shore will get the entire consideration for its seashores and seafood. Who doesn’t love these iconic blue crabs? However when you’re searching for the bluest water within the state, you need to head in the other way to the state’s Allegheny Mountains.

The “Mountain Aspect of Maryland,” because the Allegany County area is understood, is an out of doors fanatic’s dream, that includes practically 70,000 acres of public land and an abundance of parks. Not solely is it residence to at least one nationwide park—the C&O Canal Nationwide Historic Park—nevertheless it additionally has a number of members of the state park and forest system, one in every of which is Rocky Hole State Park.

Rocky Hole encompasses greater than 3,000 acres of land with sheer cliffs, scenic overlooks, and a hemlock forest concentrated with rhododendrons and mountain laurels. The concept for the park originated with the native Lions Membership, and was a serious focus of a volunteer group known as the Route 40 Enterprise Affiliation. The affiliation’s president, Edward Habeeb, was instrumental in founding the park, and 243-acre Lake Habeeb, residence to the bluest water within the state, was named in his honor. The McLuckie household, who owned Clover Hill Farm, together with roughly 40 different landowners, donated parcels of land for the creation of this state park, which opened on July 17, 1974.

Along with the noteworthy lake, the vacation spot can be a biker’s paradise—the 150-mile Nice Allegheny Passage, identified regionally as “the GAP,” leads guests over valleys, round mountains, and alongside three rivers (the Casselman, Youghiogheny, and Monongahela) on an almost degree path. Adventurists can journey off-road for 334 miles, all the way in which from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., when combining the Passage with the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland.

Highway-trippers ought to observe that Mile Marker Zero for the Historic Nationwide Highway (a.okay.a. Route 40)—about 10 minutes from the park, in downtown Cumberland—is the start of America’s first federally funded freeway. Touring westward by six states, one might say that is the house of the unique American street journey.

How one can Get There

Rocky Hole State Park is situated in western Maryland’s Allegany County, a straightforward two-hour drive from a number of metropolitan areas, together with Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. It is accessible from I-68 and U.S. 40 and U.S. 220. An Amtrak station and rental automobiles can be found in close by Cumberland, and the closest airports are Hagerstown Regional, Pittsburgh Worldwide, Baltimore/Washington Worldwide, Dulles Worldwide, and Reagan Nationwide.

Know Earlier than You Go

• There’s a day-use price for Rocky Hole State Park, which varies by season and residency, and ranges from $2 per car to $6 per individual.
• Capability closures are anticipated on summer time weekends and holidays, so planning forward is very inspired. To keep away from any surprises, verify the Maryland Park Service web site for real-time updates.
• The campground fills up shortly, so when you’re planning to remain in a single day, e book your web site effectively upfront.
• There is a day-use space and customer facility when you’re right here for the day.
• Rocky Hole participates within the Maryland Park Service’s Scales & Tales schooling program for teenagers. Free nature applications with park rangers and naturalists are supplied in the summertime.

Finest Time to Go to

The most effective time to go to Rocky Hole State Park is early summer time by fall as guests can take pleasure in full entry to the park companies. Earlier than mid-June, crowds are gentle since youngsters are nonetheless in class. Wildflowers and foliage are vibrant, and water sports activities on the lake are a giant draw all through the summer time, although. Crowds are additionally skinny within the fall, and the mountain foliage views are breathtaking.

Finest Issues to Do

Take a hike.

Rocky Hole State Park has greater than 15 miles of mountaineering trails. You don’t need to be a hardcore adventurer to benefit from the trails, although. Trails fluctuate in depth, from the informal, quarter-mile nature overlooks to difficult treks that climb 1,000 toes in elevation.

Go for a motorbike journey.

Most of the park’s trails are perfect for mountain biking, with Lakeside Loop, Evitts Mountain Path, and Rocky Path being the preferred for cyclists. Deliver your personal or e book a short- or long-term rental hybrid, gravel, or electrical bike from Wheelzup Adventures, obtainable seasonally on the adjoining Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf.

Discover Lake Habeeb.

Lake Habeeb is the point of interest of the park, and for good motive. Fed by Rocky Hole Run, the 243-acre lake is claimed to have the bluest waters within the state, and it is good for leisure actions. Electrical boats and paddle sports activities are allowed on the lake 24 hours a day, seven days every week, all year long. Fishing can be obtainable year-round, with trout fishing widespread in the summertime and ice fishing for yellow perch come winter. (Enjoyable truth: The lake even has an underwater scuba diving path.)

Go to the aviary.

The park is residence to an on-site aviary, the place guests can meet eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures—every with a novel story of restoration from accidents that forestall them from being launched into the wild. Resident bald eagle, Mo, even visited the White Home. The park ranger-led applications are freed from cost.

Take a water sports activities lesson.

Should you’ve all the time needed to attempt kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, Rocky Hole State Park is a superb place to begin. Wheelzup provides kayak and SUP classes, in addition to staff constructing alternatives which might be widespread for company retreats, household reunions, or simply teams of mates.

Deliver the canine.

Rocky Hole is taken into account one in every of Maryland’s most dog-friendly state parks. Rocky Hole Campground provides loads of dog-friendly campsites, and pet waste stations and water bowls can be found all through the realm. Two of three seashores on Lake Habeeb welcome canines and have roped-off areas the place households can swim with their furry companions. Plus, there are many shaded areas for canines to loosen up. Pets are even welcome, at no extra cost, on the canoe, kayak, and SUP leases, with doggy life jackets obtainable.

Finest Hikes

Lakeside Loop Path

“This five-mile path circumnavigates the lake, so you’re all the time subsequent to the water if you wish to take a dip at designated areas,” Echefu says. “You additionally get to undergo a few of the campgrounds, so you’re prone to be supplied barbecue from some pleasant campers.” This central path system within the park contains 4 footbridges, treks alongside the shoreline, and winding woodland areas.

Evitts Homesite Path

Overlooking Lake Habeeb is Evitts Mountain, named for one of many first European settlers in Allegany County. To the homesite and again is 4 miles, or you possibly can go all the way in which to the overlook and again in six miles complete. “One in all my favourite hikes is the Evitts Homesite Path,” Milbourne says. “The path leads right into a magical gorge the place Rocky Hole Run meanders by dense rhododendrons and towering hemlock forests, making a cool, shaded retreat in the summertime months.”

Bear Ridge Path

“When I’m brief on time, I just like the tough however secluded Bear Ridge path,” Echefu says. “It drops you into the gorge and circumnavigates again to the parking zone. It is nice to hike with canines, as there are normally much less folks on it, and also you’re all the time near your automotive. You are virtually positive to see wildlife like deer and turkeys, and when you’re fortunate, you would possibly see the resident porcupine.”

Canyon Overlook Path

This quarter-mile path supplies a beautiful view of the mile-long gorge from the overlook.

Contact of Nature Path

This accessible, quarter-mile, paved path is lined with hemlocks and benches. It results in the fishing dock and connects with the Lakeside Loop Path.

Locations to Keep

Rocky Hole Campground

“For tenting fans, Rocky Hole State Park provides a spacious campground with each electrical and non-electric websites,” Milbourne says. “Should you favor a bit extra consolation, the park additionally provides rustic camper cabins and a yurt.” 

Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf

This 198-room resort has an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, a full-service spa, three eating places, and a on line casino with 16 desk video games and 630 slot machines. Milbourne additionally recommends the on line casino resort “for a extra upscale keep, because it provides stunning lakeside views and resort-style facilities.”

Inexperienced Ridge State Forest

“These searching for a secluded, off-the-grid escape ought to try Inexperienced Ridge State Forest, which provides primitive tenting surrounded by breathtaking wilderness.” in keeping with Milbourne.

Locations to Eat

Queen Metropolis Creamery

Queen Metropolis Creamery has a seasonal location at Rocky Hole and operates the park’s concession stand on the Hawk’s Nest Cafe within the day-use space through the summer time. It is good for grabbing a deal with after a day on the water, and in keeping with Echefu, it is “residence of one of the best custard ice cream.”

Lakeside Grille

Lakeside Grille, one in every of three eating places situated inside Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf, is understood for its Oscar-style filet served with Maryland crab in addition to its lake views.

1812 Brewery

1812 Brewery is shut by with meals vehicles and reside music each weekend. It’s the area’s first “farm brewery,” and the pour home is true there in a barn. The names of the beers on faucet all have native ties and the household that runs the place is hospitable. “One in all my favourite date-night spots with my husband and our canine is 1812 Brewery,” Milbourne says. The family- and dog-friendly brewery hosts reside music and a rotating choice of meals vehicles in a relaxed setting.

Downtown Cumberland is about 10 minutes away with a big number of meals choices, together with:

• Cafe Mark: This widespread cafe serves specialty drinks together with breakfast and lunch. 
• Baltimore Avenue Grill: A downtown staple for greater than 25 years, this eatery serves American fare with a Cajun flare. Be sure you attempt the seafood gumbo, shrimp étouffée, and shrimp gumbo. 
• Ristorante Ottaviani: This Italian restaurant within the coronary heart of downtown Cumberland has lengthy been a neighborhood favourite.  
• Puccini Restaurant: Positioned within the historic Hinkle Home, which dates again to 1818, Puccini’s focuses on wood-fired pizzas. The placement served as a Civil Warfare hospital through the native Battle of Folck’s Mill.