NOTICE: Beginning September 13, 2021, no advance reservations are required to use the SJR ORV Trail. Camping reservations are still required and are made through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources online reservation system.​

Maryland Department of Natural Resources has opened the ORV Trail and campground on Savage River State Forest located on the south side of I-68 near the town of Finzel, MD in Garrett County. Click here for a location map.

The Trail was the first-ever ORV Trail on department lands designed specifically for ORV enthusiasts. Features include:

• Campsites 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.

Click here for a detailed Trail Map.

What do I need to know about using the SJR ORV Trail?

The St. John’s Rock ORV Trail is for ORV recreational use only. Users must have a registered ORV with the Department of Natural Resources, or a MVA-tagged vehicle that is suitable for off-road use. There are many other campsites available on State Forests for general recreational use. Here is more information on other State Forest camping opportunities.

Spark Arrestors Required
According to Annotated Code of Maryland regarding Forest Fire Protection Title 08 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Subtitle 07 FORESTS AND PARKS, Chapter 04 Forest Fire Protection, Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§5209 and 5-604, .07 Spark Arrestors: A person may not operate an internal combustion engine in woodland or in an area of flammable material likely to carry fire to woodland, unless equipped with a United States Forest Service approved spark arresting muffler in good operating condition.

What information do I need to know about the Trail?

All ORV use is restricted to the designated ORV Trail system. Users must stay on the designated trail at all times.

ORV Trail use is limited to daylight hours - no nighttime riding is permitted on the Trail loops or rock-crawl areas. Nighttime driving is only allowed on the main road for entering and exiting the area.

The technical trail spur loops and single-track are two-way and narrow. Riders must ride cautiously and courteously.

Jeeps and MVA tagged four-wheel drive vehicles (e.g., vehicles that are wider than standard-width ORV’s) are not allowed on the trail spur loops and single-track sections of the Trail.

Children are allowed to use the ORV Trail, subject to COMAR 08.01.03.03A(2)(c)

​What do I need to know about using the SJR Campsites?

NOTICE: Beginning September 13, 2021, campsite reservations are made through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources online reservation system.

Learn more about camping at Savage River State Forest on the SRSF Camping web page.

How many campsites are available?

A total of eight ORV campsites are available at St. John’s Rock.

• Four large (group) ORV camping sites – camping pad size is 40’ x 40’ and the parking area can accommodate up to five trailered vehicles
• Four small (individual) ORV camping sites – camping pad size is 20’ x 20’ and the parking area can accommodate one trailered vehicle and one non-trailered vehicle
• Campsite Map

Campground check-in is 3:00 p.m./check-out is 1:00 p.m.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

A maximum of four nights can be reserved for a single reservation. Campers must be set-up before quiet hours start at 11:00 p.m.

This is a primitive campground. The only campground amenity available is a vault (composting) toilet. No potable water is available at the campground, and no electric hook-ups are available.

This is a trash-free campground. All trash must be packed out and the campsites left in a clean condition.

Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash or under owner control at all times.

Alcohol is allowed, subject to COMAR 08.07.01.19 and COMAR 08.07.01.20.

Please be aware that cellular service is not reliable in this area.

Please be aware that black bears are present in the area of the Trail. Campground visitors should take the appropriate campsite precautions – keeping a clean camp – to minimize potential bear interactions. For helpful instructions related to bears and camping see our Living with Black Bears webpage.

The operation of generators is prohibited during the established quiet hours from 11:00PM to 6:00AM. At times outside of quiet hours, all aspects of their operation must conform to standards designed to prevent disturbing other visitors and to preserve the peace and tranquility of the campground, per COMAR 08.07.01.20(F).​

What do I need to know about campfires?

Practice proper campfire safety procedures at all times.

Firewood for camping must be purchased from local vendors. Please note that there is no firewood for sale onsite. Do not bring personal firewood in to the State Forest. A wide variety of forest insect pests are accidentally transported and introduced to new areas by transporting personal firewood between distinct geographic locations. Please keep our forests safe!

Kindling and downed branches can be collected to burn in your fire ring. Campfires must be in the fire ring only. Cutting down trees is prohibited. Use of chainsaws is not permitted.

What is the reservation cancellation/refund policy for the St. John’s Rock ORV Trail?

Campsite reservations that are cancelled 30 days or more prior to scheduled arrival date receive a full refund, less a $6 per reservation cancellation service charge.

Campsite reservations cancelled between 29 and 8 days prior to scheduled arrival date receive a 50% refund, less a $6 per reservation cancellation service charge.

No refunds will be made for campsite reservation cancellations that are made 7 or less days prior to scheduled arrival date, for no-shows or early departures after the date of scheduled arrival.

No refunds for daily use permits will be issued.

To request a refund for a cancelled campsite reservation, per the policy listed above, please complete the Refund Request Form and send it to one of the Forest Service offices indicated on the back of the form.

If you have refund questions please contact stjohnsrock.dnr@maryland.gov or the Savage River State Forest Office at 301-895-5759. Office hours are Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed on state holidays and weekends.

What do we do if we have a problem?

To report a problem or concern, please contact the Natural Resources Police Communications Center at 1-800-628-9944 or 1-410-260-8888 at any time, day or night. This number is also posted in the campground. The dispatcher will identify the nature of the call and assist in getting help as needed.

How can I get additional information?

Send an email to stjohnsrock.dnr@maryland.gov

Call the Savage River State Forest Office at 301-895-5759. Office hours are Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., closed on state holidays and weekends.​​​​​