The newest state park in Maryland is set to open to the public for the first time this summer, after the state purchased the land in 2024 and renovated it to make it a desirable destination for adventurers and tourists.
The new, relatively remote state park, Savage Highlands State Park, is located in Western Maryland, just under a 3-hour drive from the District!
What is there to do at Savage Highlands State Park?
Savage Highlands is located near the Allegany Front and Eastern Continental Divide in Garrett County, about ten miles west of Frostburg, MD.
The property’s surrounding land is around 2,500 feet in elevation atop Big Savage Mountain and has roughly eight miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails.
Think of outdoor activities like:
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Picnicking
For more seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, there are hunting and fishing opportunities in the nearby Savage River State Forest and plenty of chances to see some of the incredible wildlife that call the state forest home:
- White Tailed Deer
- Black Bears
- Bobcats
- Birds-of-Prey
- Brook trout
- Several Songbird Species
- Numerous Reptile Species
Will you be able to camp at Savage Highlands State Park?
Yup, there will be some incredibly cozy overnight accommodations that make Savage Highlands State Park a dream destination for glamping enthusiasts who want to experience nature without sacrificing their creature comforts.
Reservations will be available online in the near future, but until Savage Highlands State Park formally opens, no pricing or reservation information is available.
The Highlands Lodge, which is still undergoing final repairs but will serve as the central hub for information, reservations, and other visitor services, can be reached at 301-895-5453 and is located at 1600 Mt. Aetna Road, Frostburg, MD.
In total, the park has 18 cabins and 8 yurts that will eventually be available for rent!
The capacities of these spaces range from 2 to 4 people; each has either a king or queen-sized mattress, and the 4-person spaces also have either a sleeper sofa or additional mattress.
Inside each cabin and yurt, you’ll find:
- Full bathrooms
- Functional propane fireplaces
- WiFi
However, it’s worth noting that despite the fairly long list of amenities, park officials are still considering how to address potential concerns regarding food access for overnight guests, given that the accommodations have no kitchen equipment despite the park’s remote location.
As a result, the park is considering the best way to ensure future guests’ needs are met, either via food services held at the Highlands Lodge or through modifications to existing cabins & yurts to allow guests to be more self-sustainable with their meals.
When is Savage Highlands State Park going to open?
According to recent reports, state officials are planning for a phased opening of the state park starting in August of 2026.
There is no official timeline for what these phases will look like; however, conventional wisdom dictates that the park will first be open to day visitors before it is prepared to accept overnight visitors.
That being said, it is not clear how much time may pass between these phases.