Maryland campgrounds

“OK, I've got about 2 days coming up near the end of June when I expect to do some camping in northern/central Maryland(if that state has a center). So I found 4 state parks that I'm looking at. I'd appreciate some input from anyone who's visited any of these: Cunningham Falls, Patapsco Valley, Susquehana, Gunpowder Falls.”

“I've been to Susquehanna State Park.

There are nice walk-in sites, A-24 through A-30, in the Acorn Loop.

During the summer those sites are good and private and no more than a 30-80 yards from the parking area.

The Susquehanna is a drive to reach.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/maps/susquehannaloop.html

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/susquehannaacorn24.html”

“If you dont mind driving a little further west, one of the nicer state parks I Little Swallow Falls State Park.Garrett County- Deep Creek lake It was a favorite of Ford, Edison and Firestone.It features Two waterfalls.The area is referred to as "Marylands best kept secret" One of my favorites. Sorry 'bout the others , Havent been to them”

“I've heard good stuff about Little Swallow Falls.

A nice car camping spot is near Little Orleans about 110 miles from Baltimore.

The exit off I-68 is just west of the Sideling Hill cut through the mountain.

There are maybe ten sites between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River.

The river is nice for wading and swimming.
Sandals and watch out for the current.”

“MagnumCrow - are you looking to car camp or hike? One of my favorite parks is Green Ridge State Park. About 5 miles past Sideling Hill on I-68. It has car-camping and wilderness sites.”

“Also along the C&O at the Antietem Aquaduct. One of my all time Faves. Kayaking anyone?”

“Hi There,
Thinkbubelz & I are hoping to check out Maryland as well (The gas is pretty cheap out there--compared to in MIchigan! ;-) )

We noticed that there are some national ocean-front parks...
Any suggestions as to one we should check out?

I think we saw something about the C & O -- Is there much camping along that route?”

“http://www.nps.gov/asis/

It's nice, but the hiking is tough in the soft sand.”

“Hi BackSlacker,
That was one of the places that looked interesting to me... But we wondered about whether it was really possible to hike there... Have you ever camped there? or is it even possible? it looked like they didn't have much camping....

Any other suggestions around Maryland and the DC area?”

“I was there last fall, great beach and bayside campsites. No fresh water, so you'll have to pack it in. There are back country campsites at 3m 5m and 11 miles along the island, but the beach hiking is very tough! Although, I did enjoy the different ecosystems and wild horses. Marko, Bearmagnet or TechNtrek would be able to help you more with Maryland and DC areas. Good Luck!”

“Hi Backslacker-- No fresh water as in, you can't filter? Is it all along the ocean? How much water did you pack in? and how many miles did you do?

are the beach and bayside campsites car-camping sites? We are up for doing car-camping or backpacking... :-) Thinkbubelz and I have carried lots of water before (5 gallons), so I prefer NOT to have to do that again if I can help it... :-) Any kind of animals to be aware of?”

“Most of the water is salt water, there might be some fresh water marshes, but we were told to carry our water in. I carried four liters for an overnighter which was plenty for November. They have both car camping and backpacker sites. Animals? Wild horses, foxes and deer are abundent on Assateague, along with your assortment of common rodents. Also, take precautions against ticks and skeeters, they can be bad in the hotter months. I'll see if I can dig up a trail map of the island for ya. BRB”

“http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/asis/ppMaps/backcountry%2Ejpg

The back country sites are listed on this map. I stayed at Pinetree on the bay side. Very nice campsite!
last edited: 8/22/05 11:32:07 PM”

“BackSlacker,
Thanks for the tips... I will try to look at the map! :-)

Wild Horses?! Wow, if I can actually see them, I would love to get a few photos... :-) My long range lens should work just fine!

Talking about wild animals, I saw a buck with antlers next to my house a couple of days ago! I stood there as quiet as I could to try to get a photo of him (didn't have time to get my big lens, or I would have gotten a much better shot! I think he had about 3 or 4 points on each antler!! THinkbubelz & I have lived in our neighborhood for 12 years and this is the first time I've seen one with actual antlers!”

“That looks like it would be really nice-- the sites look like they are about 1/2 mile in? Did you have to reserve in advance? I think I recall them saying that they were 1st come 1st served?”

“

PB, I'm not sure about the reservations, I would call ahead to be sure.”

“Cool picture Backslacker! Are there lots of horses there? I guess I always thought the horses were more on the plains out west... there must be some fresh water, or they wouldn't be able to live there, right?”

“If you have a 4x4, you can take your truck right out onto the beach (as do all the surf fishermen) and just car camp.

The hiking on the beach is tough, and you really should only expect to go half the distance you normally would, as the soft sand really wears out your feet.

You can't really filter water because it's all saltwater, both on the oceanside and the bayside. I think I carried 4 liters (2 nalgenes and a 2L platypus) for our overnighter, and I had plenty left over.

We had a nice campsite on the bay side in the pines, but lots of mosquitoes.”

“Yea I guess your right, LOL I never thought of it that way. And yes, you will definitly see some horses. Foxes on the other hand, will only be seen if they want to be seen. They're sly ya know! ;-)”

“No 4x4... just a Mercury Monterrey... :-( I'm guessing it wouldn't work as well because of the sand?

After training for the Breast Cancer 3-day this summer, I'm in probably the best shape I've been in a long time... :-) I want to do some hikes that are interesting, but I also don't want to be swearing the whole way... :-) I have both hiking boots and nice running shoes (which I walked in.) which do you recommend? I'm guessing that Sandals aren't as good because of the sand's abrasiveness? The photo looks more grassy than I thought... I've hiked around the dunes up in Northern Michigan before, so I think I understand... :-)

Thinkbubelz & I each have 3 Liter hydration packs... :-) that, and a little extra seems like it might be okay... Since there aren't any bears out there, what's the best way to secure your food? I'm glad to hear we won't be needing any bear cans, but I seem to recall someone on TT saying that the little critters are sometimes quite mischievous!”

“There are many diffent ecosystems on the island. Beaches, dunes, marshes, grass plains and pine forests. It's a very different hiking experience. Here are my pics if you would like to check them out.

http://community.webshots.com/album/221222807vkNFjt”

“I've car-camped on Assateague many times (state and national parks). The skeeters aren't bad once the evening wind picks up off the ocean. Unfortunately I couldn't make it on the trip with BackSlacker and PhantomSoul, so I defer to their experience for back-country camping.

To get on the beach with a vehicle you need a permit, and you must have 4WD. Even then you must deflate your tires some to get extra traction. So scratch that with your vehicle.

I've done the C & O canal many times. Flat as a pancake, many sites have a hand pump for water (you should still disinfect) and some have spot-a-pot toilets. Nice trip if you want it easy and/or want to take in the historic stops along the way. Many people bike this, too. If you want to mix it up, you can start in Harper's Ferry, WV (historic attractions there) then take the AT over the Potomac and do about 3 miles on the C & O, then catch the AT north. There is a nearly new shelter a few miles north of the C & O /AT junction.

If you want all-woods, one of my favorite places to hike is Green Ridge State Forest. MD's 2nd largest forest, about 44,000 acres. I've been there many times. I've never seen anyone other than my hiking partners every time I've gone. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/greenridge.html”

“Antietam Creek - Camp along the Canal + Historic Day Hike. http://www.nps.gov/anti/”

“If you go to Assateague Island National Seashore please don't touch or feed the horses!!
The rangers will bust yore arse!!
And feeding the WILD horses emboldens them to raid campsites.

I wouldn't bother backpacking.

There are walk-in sites on the ocean side.
That's car camping with a bit of a walk to the sites.

If it'a bug season, don't even consider the bayside.
That's where the bugs are.

The ocean is warmest into September.”

“Thanks for the heads up Marko (about backpacking)... :-)

We'll probably be there in the next week or so.. :-) (can't wait to play in the ocean!)

And, don't worry-- I'm kind of afraid of most animals that are bigger than a hamster... :-) I'll be shooting them with my camera, not feeding them... :-)

Jackstraw & Techntrek-- We'll have to check out those hikes...

This vacation will be quite a change from the bigger national parks we've visited the past 4 years. (Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yellowstone and Denali). We hope to hit up a few of the National parks and monuments in DC as well as to take a little detour into NYC to see my sister's band play. (www.thesharpthings.com)”

“the skeeters are bigger than hamsters on assateague! LOL!”

“are you saying we need to cover ourselves head to toe in mosquito netting? are they really that bad?”

“I've never had it THAT bad when car-camping there. The evening breeze keeps them away, then you are in your tent overnight. Morning and daytime some DEET will keep them away.”

“Thanks Techntrek! :-)

Hey, will any TTers be out that way next week?”