The following is adapted from an announcement by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources will officially open Savage Highlands State Park on Aug. 28, providing expanded access to tens of thousands of acres of state forest and natural areas in Garrett County and the surrounding region.
The newly acquired state park offers family-friendly overnight accommodations and serves as a gateway to Western Maryland’s network of state parks, state forests, rivers, reservoirs, and mountain trails.
DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz and Maryland Park Service staff held a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 21, attended by Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and State Senate President William C. Ferguson.
The property, formerly a privately owned luxury lodge called Savage River Lodge, now features a central lodge building, 18 cabins, eight yurts, and approximately 5.75 miles of trails. The complex provides access to the surrounding 55,000-acre Savage River State Forest and year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, swimming, paddling, and hunting.
“Most of the major state parks that attract the majority of our visitors opened before 1975. Today, Savage Highlands joins the ranks of New Germany, Patapsco Valley, and Assateague,” Kurtz said.
The state acquired the property for approximately $8.7 million through Program Open Space–Stateside special funds, derived from transfer tax revenues and designated for land purchases benefiting the public. The Board of Public Works approved the sale in 2024.
Lierman emphasized the park’s significance: “By preserving this remarkable landscape and opening it to the public, we ensure that future generations can hike its trails, explore its forests and rivers, and create lasting memories here for years to come.”
Ferguson added: “This park builds on our work to expand access to the state’s most beautiful natural areas.”
Since the 2024 purchase, DNR staff have stabilized the property, preserved existing assets, and prepared facilities for phased reopening as safe, affordable, and accessible accommodations for visitors.
Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw noted: “Surrounded by more than 55,000 acres of Savage River State Forest, this property provides an opportunity to permanently protect an important landscape while creating new opportunities for Marylanders to experience the outdoors.”
The park is opening in phases to ensure ecological stewardship and compatibility with the surrounding state forest recreation network. The initial phase beginning Aug. 28 features a limited number of yurts and newly developed backcountry campsites, with additional lodging and expanded access introduced progressively as infrastructure improvements, ADA compliance, staffing, and operational readiness are completed. Day-use visitors are also welcome.
The trail system underwent careful evaluation, with new sustainable trail designs replacing routes unable to responsibly support long-term public use. Ongoing construction includes lodge, cabin, and visitor facility improvements, along with planned ADA-accessible enhancements and expanded overnight accommodations.
The state renamed the property from Savage River Lodge to Savage Highlands State Park to better reflect the high-elevation terrain and its connection to the Savage River watershed.
The park will be managed within the New Germany State Park complex. Winners of the Park Service’s “Miles for Maryland” hiking challenge drawing — Maggie Leathers and Nikki Martin — will be among the first public overnight guests.
Prospective visitors can book accommodations at parkreservations.maryland.gov. Initial yurt rates are approximately $200 per night, based on seasonal demand and comparable properties. The park is located at 1600 Mount Aetna Road in Frostburg.
Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw, Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson celebrated the dedication of Savage Highlands State Park with Maryland Park Service staff on Aug. 22.
Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
