Rocky Hole State Park Has the Bluest Water within the State—The best way to Go to

It’s true, Maryland’s Jap Shore will get all the consideration for its seashores and seafood. Who doesn’t love these iconic blue crabs? However when you’re on the lookout for the bluest water within the state, it’s important to head in the wrong way to the state’s Allegheny Mountains.

The “Mountain Facet of Maryland,” because the Allegany County area is understood, is an out of doors fanatic’s dream, that includes almost 70,000 acres of public land and an abundance of parks. Not solely is it residence to 1 nationwide park—the C&O Canal Nationwide Historic Park—but it surely additionally has a number of members of the state park and forest system, one in every of which is Rocky Hole State Park.

Rocky Hole encompasses greater than 3,000 acres of land with sheer cliffs, scenic overlooks, and a hemlock forest concentrated with rhododendrons and mountain laurels. The concept for the park originated with the native Lions Membership, and was a serious focus of a volunteer group referred to as the Route 40 Enterprise Affiliation. The affiliation’s president, Edward Habeeb, was instrumental in founding the park, and 243-acre Lake Habeeb, residence to the bluest water within the state, was named in his honor. The McLuckie household, who owned Clover Hill Farm, together with roughly 40 different landowners, donated parcels of land for the creation of this state park, which opened on July 17, 1974.

Along with the noteworthy lake, the vacation spot can also be a biker’s paradise—the 150-mile Nice Allegheny Passage, identified regionally as “the GAP,” leads guests over valleys, round mountains, and alongside three rivers (the Casselman, Youghiogheny, and Monongahela) on a virtually stage path. Adventurists can journey off-road for 334 miles, all the way in which from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., when combining the Passage with the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland.

Highway-trippers ought to be aware that Mile Marker Zero for the Historic Nationwide Highway (a.okay.a. Route 40)—about 10 minutes from the park, in downtown Cumberland—is the start of America’s first federally funded freeway. Touring westward by means of six states, one might say that is the house of the unique American highway journey.

The best way to Get There

Rocky Hole State Park is situated in western Maryland’s Allegany County, a simple two-hour drive from a number of metropolitan areas, together with Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. It is accessible from I-68 and U.S. 40 and U.S. 220. An Amtrak station and rental automobiles can be found in close by Cumberland, and the closest airports are Hagerstown Regional, Pittsburgh Worldwide, Baltimore/Washington Worldwide, Dulles Worldwide, and Reagan Nationwide.

Know Earlier than You Go

• There’s a day-use payment for Rocky Hole State Park, which varies by season and residency, and ranges from $2 per car to $6 per individual.
• Capability closures are anticipated on summer time weekends and holidays, so planning forward is extremely inspired. To keep away from any surprises, test the Maryland Park Service web site for real-time updates.
• The campground fills up rapidly, so when you’re planning to remain in a single day, e-book your web site properly prematurely.
• There is a day-use space and customer facility when you’re right here for the day.
• Rocky Hole participates within the Maryland Park Service’s Scales & Tales training program for teenagers. Free nature applications with park rangers and naturalists are supplied in the summertime.

Finest Time to Go to

The perfect time to go to Rocky Hole State Park is early summer time by means of fall as guests can take pleasure in full entry to the park companies. Earlier than mid-June, crowds are gentle since kids are nonetheless at school. Wildflowers and foliage are vibrant, and water sports activities on the lake are an enormous draw all through the summer time, although. Crowds are additionally skinny within the fall, and the mountain foliage views are breathtaking.

Finest Issues to Do

Take a hike.

Rocky Hole State Park has greater than 15 miles of mountaineering trails. You don’t need to be a hardcore adventurer to benefit from the trails, although. Trails differ in depth, from the informal, quarter-mile nature overlooks to difficult treks that climb 1,000 toes in elevation.

Go for a motorbike experience.

Lots of the park’s trails are perfect for mountain biking, with Lakeside Loop, Evitts Mountain Path, and Rocky Path being the preferred for cyclists. Convey your individual or e-book a short- or long-term rental hybrid, gravel, or electrical bike from Wheelzup Adventures, out there seasonally on the adjoining Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf.

Discover Lake Habeeb.

Lake Habeeb is the point of interest of the park, and for good motive. Fed by Rocky Hole Run, the 243-acre lake is claimed to have the bluest waters within the state, and it is good for leisure actions. Electrical boats and paddle sports activities are allowed on the lake 24 hours a day, seven days per week, all year long. Fishing can also be out there year-round, with trout fishing well-liked in the summertime and ice fishing for yellow perch come winter. (Enjoyable truth: The lake even has an underwater scuba diving path.)

Go to the aviary.

The park is residence to an on-site aviary, the place guests can meet eagles, hawks, owls, and vultures—every with a novel story of restoration from accidents that stop them from being launched into the wild. Resident bald eagle, Mo, even visited the White Home. The park ranger-led applications are freed from cost.

Take a water sports activities lesson.

In case you’ve all the time needed to attempt kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, Rocky Hole State Park is a superb place to start out. Wheelzup gives kayak and SUP classes, in addition to group constructing alternatives which can be well-liked for company retreats, household reunions, or simply teams of mates.

Convey the canine.

Rocky Hole is taken into account one in every of Maryland’s most dog-friendly state parks. Rocky Hole Campground gives loads of dog-friendly campsites, and pet waste stations and water bowls can be found all through the world. Two of three seashores on Lake Habeeb welcome canine and have roped-off areas the place households can swim with their furry companions. Plus, there are many shaded areas for canine to calm down. Pets are even welcome, at no extra cost, on the canoe, kayak, and SUP leases, with doggy life jackets out there.

Finest Hikes

Lakeside Loop Path

“This five-mile path circumnavigates the lake, so you’re all the time subsequent to the water if you wish to take a dip at designated areas,” Echefu says. “You additionally get to undergo a number of the campgrounds, so you’re prone to be supplied barbecue from some pleasant campers.” This central path system within the park consists of 4 footbridges, treks alongside the shoreline, and winding woodland areas.

Evitts Homesite Path

Overlooking Lake Habeeb is Evitts Mountain, named for one of many first European settlers in Allegany County. To the homesite and again is 4 miles, or you’ll be able to go all the way in which to the overlook and again in six miles whole. “Considered one of my favourite hikes is the Evitts Homesite Path,” Milbourne says. “The path leads right into a magical gorge the place Rocky Hole Run meanders by means of dense rhododendrons and towering hemlock forests, making a cool, shaded retreat in the summertime months.”

Bear Ridge Path

“When I’m quick on time, I just like the troublesome however secluded Bear Ridge path,” Echefu says. “It drops you into the gorge and circumnavigates again to the car parking zone. It is nice to hike with canine, as there are normally much less individuals on it, and also you’re all the time near your automobile. You are virtually positive to see wildlife like deer and turkeys, and when you’re fortunate, you may see the resident porcupine.”

Canyon Overlook Path

This quarter-mile path offers a stunning view of the mile-long gorge from the overlook.

Contact of Nature Path

This accessible, quarter-mile, paved path is lined with hemlocks and benches. It results in the fishing dock and connects with the Lakeside Loop Path.

Locations to Keep

Rocky Hole Campground

“For tenting fans, Rocky Hole State Park gives a spacious campground with each electrical and non-electric websites,” Milbourne says. “In case you choose a bit extra consolation, the park additionally gives rustic camper cabins and a yurt.” 

Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf

This 198-room resort has an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, a full-service spa, three eating places, and a on line casino with 16 desk video games and 630 slot machines. Milbourne additionally recommends the on line casino resort “for a extra upscale keep, because it gives lovely lakeside views and resort-style facilities.”

Inexperienced Ridge State Forest

“These on the lookout for a secluded, off-the-grid escape ought to try Inexperienced Ridge State Forest, which gives primitive tenting surrounded by breathtaking wilderness.” in line with Milbourne.

Locations to Eat

Queen Metropolis Creamery

Queen Metropolis Creamery has a seasonal location at Rocky Hole and operates the park’s concession stand on the Hawk’s Nest Cafe within the day-use space in the course of the summer time. It is good for grabbing a deal with after a day on the water, and in line with Echefu, it is “residence of one of the best custard ice cream.”

Lakeside Grille

Lakeside Grille, one in every of three eating places situated inside Rocky Hole On line casino, Resort & Golf, is understood for its Oscar-style filet served with Maryland crab in addition to its lake views.

1812 Brewery

1812 Brewery is shut by with meals vans and stay music each weekend. It’s the area’s first “farm brewery,” and the pour home is correct there in a barn. The names of the beers on faucet all have native ties and the household that runs the place is hospitable. “Considered one of my favourite date-night spots with my husband and our canine is 1812 Brewery,” Milbourne says. The family- and dog-friendly brewery hosts stay music and a rotating choice of meals vans in a relaxed setting.

Downtown Cumberland is about 10 minutes away with a big number of meals choices, together with:

• Cafe Mark: This well-liked cafe serves specialty drinks together with breakfast and lunch. 
• Baltimore Avenue Grill: A downtown staple for greater than 25 years, this eatery serves American fare with a Cajun flare. Make sure you attempt the seafood gumbo, shrimp étouffée, and shrimp gumbo. 
• Ristorante Ottaviani: This Italian restaurant within the coronary heart of downtown Cumberland has lengthy been an area favourite.  
• Puccini Restaurant: Positioned within the historic Hinkle Home, which dates again to 1818, Puccini’s focuses on wood-fired pizzas. The placement served as a Civil Conflict hospital in the course of the native Battle of Folck’s Mill.