New Germany State Park in Maryland is a weekend getaway for all seasons! Whether you’re doing lake activities in the summer or cruiusing the cross country skiing trails in the winter, you’ll enjoy unplugging at this park.
History and Location
New Germany State Park is located in eastern Maryland, not too far from Deep Creek and Swallow Falls State Parks. The park is about 1 1/2 hours southeast of Pittsburgh on the edge of Savage River Forest.
At nearly 500 acres, the park also has a 13-acre lake that welcomes non-motorized watercraft.
Like its name indicates, the area was originally settled by German immigrants. Once their sawmill and grist mill business was ending, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) moved in and transformed the area into a public recreation area.
Not only did the CCC construct picnic shelters and better roads, they also constructed cabins and park buildings- and Maryland’s first ski resort!
You can visit the Civilian Conservation Corps exhibit in the Nature Center to appreciate their hard work and simple living arrangements.
Today, the park’s lake provides a great place to float your kayak, launch your paddleboard, or canoe out for some fishing. Many of the 10 miles of trails you can hike or bike in the summer are cross-country skiing trails once the snow falls.
And that ski resort? Those hills are now used for sledding in the winter!
Accommodations
New Germany State Park’s campground has 49 sites organized in three loops – Pines, White Oak, and Hemlock Loop. Only two sites have electric service, one in White Oak loop (#34) and one in the pet-friendly Hemlock Loop (#58).
I investigated the bath house in White Oak Loop, and I am pleased to report: no shower timer buttons!
I stand by my assertion that no one should have to hike all day only to have their shower timed down to the second at night. I’m pleased to report that in this park, Maryland agrees!
In addition to the campground, there are 12 modern cabins with all the features. You’ll need to bring your own sheets and towels, but you’ll enjoy a full kitchen (including a coffeemaker!), your own bathroom, and a cozy log cabin feel.
Cabins #3 – #7 are pet-friendly, so we reserved Cabin #6 for our long weekend, marked with the star:
The cabin was just $87 per night…and a really pleasant surprise!
So clean and neat – and oh so cozy…
We appreciated the kitchen gadgets, firm queen bed, and lots of room to move – not to mention, GREAT water pressure in the shower!
And while we didn’t use the loft, there are two extra single beds upstairs.
If you are planning to cook outside or enjoy a campfire, uh oh! Unfortunately, there are no firepits at the cabins.
Pack up your charcoal and lighter fluid for the grill. Or, go up the road a bit and buy some last minute, like we did!
Trails and Wildlife
New Germany State Park has 10 miles of trails, most which are easily accessible from the cabins.
We chose to do the Cabin Loop, the Gazebo Loop, and Turnpike Trail, highlighted here along with some walks along the lake:
Cabin Loop isn’t just a catchy name! It actually loops the cabin section and is about 1 1/2 miles long with some moderate climbs.
Turnpike Trail stretches mostly flat for a little less than a mile along a creek. The trail includes some great zero-entry points to the creek if you brought your dogs along! Part of Turnpike Trail leads right up to the back of the cabins, too.
Gazebo Loop is also close to a mile with a slight incline up to a gazebo overlook before winding back down.
There are also some unmarked paths around the lake. One of these leads over to the Lake House and the Nature Center. You can rent a canoe or kayak at the Lake House or explore traces of native wildlife and the history of the CCC at the Nature Center.
We saw deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits in the park, along with the best bunch of mushrooms we’ve seen all year!
For some reason, the parks we’ve visited this summer have been in real short supply of interesting mushrooms, but New Germany State Park made up for them…
SIDE TRIP! Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park in Pennysylvania is a weekend trip all its own – and you can read about that here.
But if you are coming from the Pittsburgh area, Ohiopyle State Park is a great hiking stop before getting to New Germany State Park.
This go round, we took the Great Gorge Trail to Cucumber Falls and hiked up to the Visitor Center.
Franklin and Hazel got all their sniffs, splashes, and sprints out so they could relax the rest of the ride to New Germany State Park.
The Last Word
New Germany State Park in Maryland made for a great hiking weekend in a cozy cabin, totally unplugged!
So unplugged in fact, that there is a working telephone booth near the lake in the park…
Hello, hello!
