1. Green Ridge State Forest
Location: 39.665517, -78.443639
How To Get There: Directly off of Interstate 68, if you can’t find it, maybe you should take up golf?
Where to Stay: There are 100 primitive camp sites on a first come first serve basis, make sure you pay the $10 fee and register at the headquarters building.
Things to Do: Check out the shooting range, hiking trails, and awesome fishing opportunities/views along the Potomac river.
Pro-Tip: Even though the ORV trail is closed, Green Ridge is still worth a visit. It’s a great first time camping location for your family, and one of the only parts of the state of Maryland that doesn’t suck.
2. Bald Mountain
Location: 37.982446, -79.073945
How To Get There: Located outside of Stuarts Draft, the best way to approach the trail is from Coal Road and Route 664. Make sure to stop by the B&R and check out their Taser selection.
Where to Stay: Multiple dispersed campsites along the trail, or get a room at the Wintergreen resort.
Things to Do: Enjoy the awesome views along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and stop in for a drink at one of the may breweries/wineries down by Wintergreen. Bold Rock and Devil’s Backbone are some of the winners, also make sure to go to Paulies’ Pig Out to put yourself into a food coma.
Pro-Tip: Stay on the main trail, most of the off-shoots are dead ends.
3. Flagpole Knob
Location: 38.509999, -79.184048
How To Get There: Turn off our Rt. 33 onto Skidmore Fork Rd./Dunkle Hollow Rd. and follow it straight up to the knob.
Where to Stay: Multiple dispersed camp sites along the trail, or find an Air B&B if you’re significant other doesn’t like sweating/freezing their ass off.
Things to Do: Enjoy the views from Flagpole Knob, kayak/canoe around Switzer Lake, eat a habanero burger and 12 fried Oreo’s at Jack Brown’s and immediately regret your decision.
Pro-Tip: Try to go during off times, Flagpole can get pretty busy during the warmer months. Also, don’t be a dumb ass and try to drive up the mountain when it’s covered in snow and ice.
4. Bald Eagle/Rothrock State Forest
Location: 40.923504, -77.279898
How To Get There: Drive towards State College, PA. If you get lost, just follow all of the Penn State fans to Happy Valley.
Where to Stay: There are numerous dispersed camp sites throughout the forest, make sure to get a free permit from the ranger station.
Things to Do: During the warmer months, check out the numerous swimming holes, or break out your fly fishing rod for some of the best fishing in the Mid-Atlantic.
Pro-Tip: Get a Purple Lizard map for the most detailed/up to date routes in the region. Also only check out the End Zone when Penn State is in session.
5. The Canaan Loop
Location: 39.106247, -79.508815
How To Get There: Head to the Blackwater Falls Lodge, stay on the road past the lodge and it dead ends at the trail head for the loop.
Where to Stay: Numerous campsites along the trail, also check out Delta Road 1/Camp 70 Road in Davis for multiple spots along the Blackwater river. If you don’t want to slum it, check out the Cooper House and tell Joy we sent you.
Things to Do: Check out the Olsen Observation Tower for the best view in the county, also make sure you drop by Tip-Top for some coffee and Siriani’s Cafe for some amazing pizza.
Pro-Tip: Give yourself at least 2 days to explore the area, and make sure you spend at least an hour in Thomas.
Thank you for posting these!
Is this the Bald Mountain route? Was it stock 4Runner friendly (photo looks fairly deep)? Gate at the BRP?: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/kwGmA5L06qEetzzhClttElgq
The route is stock rig friendly, all of the difficult areas have a bypass and the deeper crossings have a bypass as well.