Maryland’s New Off-Road Vehicle Trail Opens in Garrett County

Reservations Now Being Accepted for the St. John’s Rock ORV Trail and Campground

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts can get ready to take on a new trail as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources opens St. John’s Rock ORV Trail and Campground in Garrett County.

Riders can now make advanced reservations for day use and overnight camping through the department’s online licensing and registration system.

The St. John’s Rock ORV Trail, located within Savage River State Forest, includes more than 12 miles of woodland trails professionally conceptualized and constructed specifically for recreational enjoyment and use. ORV enthusiasts and riders provided contractors and engineers feedback and input on the trail throughout the process.

“This off-road vehicle trail is the latest example of our ongoing mission to expand recreational access, opportunities and options within our beautiful public lands,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Development of this unique ORV trail – the first of its kind in Maryland – has been the work of a great partnership among staff, our partner agencies and, of course, the stakeholders, who helped us produce this world-class trail.”

Unique features of the new trail include:

• A campsite specifically designed to support ORV riders, with large parking areas;
• A family-friendly area with children’s trail loops within the campground area;
• Single-track hare-scramble style trail sections for motorcycles;
• Technical trail spur loops for all-terrain vehicles; and,
• A full-size rock crawl area for four-wheel drive vehicles.

Importantly, the trail is located on state forest lands certified as sustainable based on stringent environmental, economic and social criteria. The department worked closely with professionals to ensure the trail was designed and constructed for public recreation in accordance with the department’s dual forest certification standards. As such, the Maryland Forest Service will oversee management of the new trail.

Additional funding for the new trail was provided by the Recreational Trails Program, which is administered by Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.