Page 18 - 2023 flip book

ADVENTUre IN

Explorers Welcome

With close to 70,000 acres of public land and over
200 miles of developed biking and hiking trails,
Allegany County is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
Find a trailhead to explore the internationally
recognized trail systems, our water trails that take you
on a leisurely river expedition with stunning scenery,
and our four state parks and state forest which offer
abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking,
camping, and connecting to nature. If outdoor
adventure is what you enjoy, then Mountain Maryland
is a natural playground welcoming you to explore.

PARKS AND FORESTS

Allegany County has over 70,000 acres of public land between its four state
parks and state forest. Rocky Gap State Park encompasses 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 water slide as well as a newly constructed
mountain biking park, 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.

TRAILS
Enjoy over 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 like the 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. For mountain biking
enthusiasts, check out the Great Eastern Trail at Green Ridge or the new first-
class mountain biking trails at Dans Mountain State Park.

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