Green Ridge State Forest

2004 Camping Season  State Park Amenities  State Park Events  Please Leave No Trace

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Green Ridge is the second largest of Maryland's State Forests consisting of a 44,000-acre oak-hickory forest. It is located in eastern Allegany County, approximately eight miles east of Flintstone off I-68 at Exit 64.

The forest is located in the Ridge and Valley Province of the Allegheny Mountain chain. The average annual precipitation is 36 inches, the lowest in the state. Town Hill, Green Ridge and Polish Mountains elevation varies from 475 feet at the Potomac River to 2,039 feet on Town Hill. Magnificent views of the surrounding landscape can be seen from Point Lookout, Banners, Logroll, Warrior Mountain and No Name Overlooks. Rich in history, the forest was once the site for the Carroll Furnace, originally built as part of a steam powered saw mill in the 1830's.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service recently held a public meeting to present the proposed Fiscal Year 2005 work plans for Green Ridge State Forest. A copy of the annual work plan for Green Ridge State Forest is available on this website.

Camping
Green Ridge offers 100 designated primitive campsites located throughout 44,000 acres. Group sites as well as sites located along the Potomac River and along the off-road vehicle trail are available. Pets are permitted in the forest on a leash. A service charge of $10 per night for up to six people and $1 for each additional person is required. Camping permits may be obtained from Green Ridge State Forest headquarters. Check out camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping service charges.

• Campsites 1-23
  There is a hunting area for the disabled, adirondack shelter and rifle range in this area.
• Campsites 24-49 and Group sites 1 and 2
  There are mountain bike trails, a scenic overlook, accessible hunting area for the disabled, horse area and a stocked fishing area in this location.
• Campsites 50-54 and Group site 7
  In this area are parking areas, an accessible hunting area for the disabled, scenic overlooks and adirondak shelter.
• Campsites 55-79, 86-88 and Group sites 3,4 and 6
  In this area are scenic overlooks, a parking area, horse area and adirondak shelter.
• Campsites 80-85 and Group site 5
  There is a boat launch and accessible hunting area for the disabled in this location.
• Campsites 90-99
  There is a boat launch in this area.
• Campsite 100
  There is a stocked fishing area and a scenic overlook also in this area.

Biking
Green Ridge State Forest offers a permanent 12-mile mountain bike trail. For intermediate to advanced riders this challenging trail has steady climbs, fast down hills and is just technical enough. For you flatlanders, four easy outs have been located throughout the trail, which offers weary riders a more moderate ride back to the trailhead. The Green Ridge Mountain Bike Trail map may be obtained from the forest headquarters.

Biking is also permitted on all roads located within the forest, most of the hiking trail and on the C&O Canal Towpath, which borders the south side of the forest.

Fishing/Boating
Fishing areas within the forest include the Potomac River, White Sulphur and Orchard ponds, Town Creek, 15-Mile Creek and Sideling Hill Creek. The creeks and ponds are stocked with trout each spring. Town Creek offers two delayed harvest areas in which anglers can challenge themselves. The Special Trout Management Areas Western Maryland brochure provides further information, exact locations and is available at the forest headquarters. A Maryland Anglers License is required for those 16 years of age and older.

Bond's Landing is the focal point for boating and canoeing within Green Ridge State Forest. A boat ramp provides easy access to the Potomac River.

Hiking/Backpacking
The Green Ridge hiking trail is a 24-mile linear trail divided into sections that provides hikers with four separate day-hike options or overnight backpacking opportunities. A color coded map corresponds with the four sections of the trail. The entire trail is blazed with white paint. For backpackers four Adirondack shelters have been placed along the trail at approximately eight-mile intervals. Maps, guides and backcountry permits are available at the forest headquarters.

Check out a copy of the Green Ridge State Forest Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a map of the multi-use trails, is available for sale at the Green Ridge State Forest visitor center. Check out a copy of the complete Green Ridge State Forest Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the hiking, biking and ORV trails, is available for sale the Green Ridge State Forest visitor center. Purchase copies of the Green Ridge State Forest Hiking Trail Guides using our on-line order form.

Off-Road Vehicles
Green Ridge State Forest offers an 18-mile loop trail located on East Valley and Stafford Roads for off-road vehicles (ORV). All unregistered motorcycles and four wheelers (three-wheel ORV's are not permitted) are required to obtain an identification permit from the Department of Natural Resources. Permits are available from any DNR Regional Service Center or State Forest offices that have designated ORV trails.

Hunting/Shooting Range
Hunting is the most popular recreational activity that occurs in the forest. The forest is noted for its population of white-tailed deer, wild turkey and squirrel. Other game animals are ruffed grouse, rabbit, quail woodcock, red fox and grey fox. Hunting is permitted during all seasons. For season information see the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland. A variety of topographical quad and county maps are available from the forest headquarters.

The 12-bench, 25-100 yard shooting range provides a safe, legal area for target shooting. The Green Ridge range is fully accessible and is open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to sunset, Sunday noon to sunset, and Monday from 10 a.m. to sunset. The range is closed on Tuesdays. Daily or annual permits are required and may be obtained from the visitor center.

Nature Tourism - Guided Adventures
The Nature Tourism staff works with Maryland's outdoor guides and outfitters to introduce more people to Nature Tourism experiences, including: canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, hunting, rock climbing, historical tours, rappelling, watchable wildlife, fishing, guided ORV tours, rafting and backpacking. Let our Nature Tourism staff plan your experience!

The State Forest and Park Service is improving trail and camping access, information guides, maps and brochures to enable visitors to better enjoy outdoor adventures. To schedule a Nature Tourism adventure while visting Green Ridge State Forest, call 301-784-8403.

Self-Guided Recreational Activities

• Canoeing/Kayaking the Potomac River (12 mi.)
• Canoeing/Kayaking the Potomac River (9 mi.)
• Fall Color Driving Tour of Green Ridge State Forest (30 mi.)
• Mountain Biking at Green Ridge State Forest (12 mi. circuit)
• Off-Road vehicle trails at Green Ridge State Forest (18 mi. circuit)

Green Ridge State Forest offers a mobility impaired hunting program, accessible shooting range for the disabled, headquarters office, and overlook. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Location - In eastern Allegany County, about 22 miles east of Cumberland, off I-68 at Exit 64.

Green Ridge State Forest
28700 Headquarters Dr, NE
Flintstone, MD 21530-9525
(301) 478-3124

DNR Home

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Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.

Last Updated on February 10, 2004

Lower photographs by Green Ridge State Forest Staff and Tom Darden