If you were waiting for a sign to go on a road trip out of the D.C. area to see some of the incredible nature in the region, consider this your sign to go!
Which Maryland Park has The “Bluest Water In The State”?
Rocky Gap State Park, located roughly 2 hours from the district by car in calm Allegany County, you’ll find Lake Habeeb – an incredible 243-acre lake known for its iconic clear water and beautiful blue hue.
Rocky Gap State Park, which is made up of over 3,000 acres of public land including multiple camping zones and several lovely small towns nearby, is an incredibly ideal weekend trip destination at any point from early Spring to Late Fall!
Now, we highly recommend you take the trek to this incredible park and hike along the Lakeside Loop Trail next to Lake Habeeb to see the “bluest water in Maryland” firsthand, while also getting a view of the Fall foliage that the Mountain Side of Maryland has to offer!
If you plan to visit western Maryland this Autumn, peak Fall foliage is expected to hit the region around mid-October, so plan accordingly.
How do you get to Rocky Gap State Park from D.C.?
The drive to Rocky Gap State Park from Washington, D.C. is a fairly easy route!
- Take I-495 N in Bethesda (9.6 miles)
- Follow I-270 N (29.1 miles)
- Merge onto I-70 W (52.7 miles)
- Continue onto I-68 W / US-40 W (29.1 miles)
- Take exit 50 toward Rocky Gap State Park
The trip directly to Rocky Gap State Park (12900 Lake Shore Dr, Flintstone, MD) from D.C. will take roughly 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic, and will be approximately a 124-mile trek.
Things to do around Rocky Gap State Park that everyone can enjoy
If you find yourself on the fence about taking a weekend to drive out to Western Maryland to visit the Rocky Gap State Park, let us be the first to tell you that there is a ton of fun to be had in the area!
Aside from the hiking trail along Lake Habeeb we mentioned earlier, there are also several fun things to do that are fit for family fun or a good time with your adult buddies:
- Visit Downtown Cumberland – You may recall us writing about this small town offering up to $20,000 to relocate there to boost local growth. In other words, this charming small town is eager and ready to host and welcome travelers coming from the DMV area!
- Partake in watersports on the lake – If you plan to visit during the late Spring or Summer, renting a canoe or kayak and heading out onto the lake is a perfect plan.
- Try your luck at Rocky Gap Casino – Here, you can come for the beautiful nature and then once you’ve had your fill, you can stick around for a bit of fun at the blackjack or poker table!
- Spend an afternoon checking out Downtown Frostburg – Home of Frostburg State University, this unique small town is packed with local pride and culture as well as a booming main street that is packed with authentic Appalachian charm.
- Stop by Rocky Gap State Park Aviary – This education spot is perfect for a family-friendly plan to see injured, non-releasable birds of prey and reptiles native to Maryland. The ‘Scales & Tales’ program is fun and interactive for all audiences and not something you should skip if you can go!