MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

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Savage Highlands State Park

Park Status Information

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Highlights

​Yurts nestled in the woods of Savage River State Forest. You can see the mountain ridge and puffy white clouds off in the distance

​Lodge with blue sky, an alpine style lodge with wrap around porch and a-frame ceiling.​

​Fire in the ring behind the lodge. Large chairs and benches surround a roaring fire

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About the Park

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​Savage Highlands is located about ten miles west of Frostburg, MD, near the Allegh​any Front and Eastern Continental Divide in Garrett County. It is securely positioned within the westernmost reaches of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, despite being perched over 2500 ft in elevation on Big Savage Mountain. The surrounding Mt. Aetna Tract of Savage River State Forest allows for about eight miles of non-motorized, multi-use trails​. Hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and picnicking can be accommodated from the state park.

​Hunting opportunities and fishing in the Savage River are accessible nearby from the adjacent Savage River State Forest. Wildlife enthusiasts may see white tailed deer, black bear, bobcats, birds-of-prey, and a variety of song birds and reptiles while exploring the property. Guests are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics​ to minimize their impact on the surrounding resources and avoid any potential for negative wildlife interactions.

view of the lodge from the upstairs, large great room, fireplace and loft all done is classic log cabin style 
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T​he Highlands Lodge

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​The Lodge at Savage Highlands State Park, located at 1600 Mt. Aetna Rd, Frostburg, MD 2153​2, will serve as the central hub for information, reservations, and other visitor services. Amenities include public WiFi, restrooms, ADA access, an electric vehicle charging station, a large, indoor wood burning fireplace, an extensive collection of books and games, and cozy indoor and outdoor seating.

Great room looking up at the balcony, classic wooden fruniture and tables round the central fireplace with a chimney goint up throught the a-frame ceiling 
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Recreational Activities​​

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Hiking

​Access approximately eight miles of moderately challenging multi-use trails within Savage River State Forest (Mt. Aetna Tract). Visitors should be prepared for natural hazards (poison ivy, slippery surfaces) and plan responsibly.​

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MT. AETNA LOOP TRAIL (RED BLAZES, 3.2 MILES)
The Mt. Aetna Loop Trail is a scenic, moderately challenging loop, featuring lush hardwood forests, groves of conifers, shaded stream valleys, and rolling mountain terrain. Ranging in elevation from 2285 feet to 2600 feet, this trail is well-suited for hiking and trail running, as well as peaceful winter snowshoe excursions. Some sections are quite narrow and steep, making it less suitable for cycling.

CABIN LOOP TRAIL (GREEN BLAZES, 2.3 MILES)
The Cabin Loop Trail is a popular trail with convenient access from the Lodge, cabins, and yurts. This easy-to-moderate trail is ideal for hiking, trail running, birdwatching, and winter sports, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It also features a secluded Hike-In Rustic Campsite (reservations required).

WOODCOCK LOOP TRAIL (BLUE BLAZES, 0.4 MILES)
The Woodcock Loop Trail can be paired with a short section of the Cabin Loop Trail to form an easy loop from the parking area. This trail also features a secluded Hike-In Rustic Campsite (reservations required).

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Entrance to the green trail, signs point the way into a dense forest of mature trees. The trail disappears as it goes off into the woods. ​ ​​
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Wildlife

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Exploring the high-country trails offers wildlife enthusiasts the chance to spot black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and white-tailed deer, alongside birds of prey, songbirds, snakes and turtles. ​Observing or encountering wildlife is a common experience around Savage Highlands State Park. Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics and respect wildlife by providing ample distance between you and the animal, and refraining from feeding, handling or harassing wildlife in any way, including keeping pets on a leash. It is important not to interfere with wildlife’s natural instincts and abilities to thrive in their habitat.

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White-tailed deer jumping into the woods and an owl perched on a branch in the forest 
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Stay with us at Savage Highlands​. Rent a yurt​

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view of the bedroom area, queen bed and enclosed bathroom with two basin sink and shower

Queen Bed and Full Bathroom​​

Designed for ultimate comfort, this modern yurt features a luxurious queen-size bed set beneath the central dome, allowing you to gaze up at the night sky from the warmth of high-end linens. Just steps away, a fully enclosed private bathroom seamlessly blends rustic charm with upscale convenience, complete with a dual-basin sink vanity and a spacious full-sized walk-in shower. This unique setup offers all the immersive tranquility of a traditional circular retreat without sacrificing the essential luxuries and convenience of a high-end hotel suite.


Living area with couch, chairs, tables lamps, and a fireplace
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Full Size Living Area

Anchoring the interior of the yurt is an expansive, open-concept living space designed for effortless relaxation, featuring a plush leather couch, comfortable accent chairs, and a rustic coffee table ideal for morning coffee or late-night board games. Large windows flood the circular room with natural light, while double glass doors open directly onto a private covered porch. Step outside to take in the surrounding forest views, unwind in the fresh mountain air, or seamlessly transition between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity throughout your stay.

​Kitchen area with sink, coffee maker, and fridge
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Kitchen Area​​

The yurt features a thoughtfully equipped kitchenette, complete with a sink, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, and a full set of mugs for your morning brew. Adjacent to the counter space is a cozy breakfast nook, offering a bright, intimate spot to savor casual meals, plan your day's outdoor adventures, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee with a view.​ To make a reservation click here.​

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Stay with us at Savage Highlands. Coming soon, cabins​

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Rustic looking log cabins tucked into the woods with trees all around

Not so rustic cabins​​

Discover the timeless allure of a rugged log cabin combined with surprising comfort. While our cabin’s traditional chinked log exterior and weathered porch, blend perfectly into the dense, natural woodland of one of Maryland's largest state forests, a look inside reveals a posh sanctuary designed for discerning guests. Enjoy the quintessential mountain adventure by day, exploring pristine trails and scenic vistas, then return to a refined interior that offers all the plush comforts of a hotel stay, all while maintaining the serene seclusion of our beautiful state park setting.


Living area with couch, chairs, tables and lamps.
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Full Size Living Area

Step inside and experience the seamless harmony of wilderness charm and refined comfort, where warm, exposed timber beams and handcrafted log walls envelop an inviting, spacious living area. Tucked deep within the serene wilderness of Savage River State Forest, this mountain sanctuary offers plush, comfortable seating centered around a handcrafted wood coffee table, richly textured floors, and generous natural light streaming through the windows. Whether you are unwinding after a day on the forest trails or quietly sinking into a cozy armchair with a good book, this inviting interior brings high-end relaxation directly to your rugged, off-the-grid retreat.

​Loft bedroom with queen size bed and vaulted ceiling
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Loft master bedroom​

Perched beneath the soaring vaulted ceilings of the cabin’s A-frame, this open master loft serves as an elevated private sanctuary wrapped entirely in warm, natural timber. Dramatic, heavy-timber rafters frame a plush, inviting bed flanked by classic nightstands and soft ambient lamps, creating a cozy sleeping nook bathed in natural wood tones. Overseen by a classic ceiling fan and protected by a rustic wooden railing with wrought-iron balusters, this airy retreat overlooks the main living space below while offering guests an intimate, treetop slumber experience in the heart of the forest.​

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Why Savage Highlands Became a State Park

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Savage Highlands became a state park to ensure this ecologically significant mountain landscape is stewarded for the long term and remains compatible with the surrounding Savage River State Forest trail and recreation network. The property is a significant inholding within Savage River State Forest. A change in use by a private owner could have fragmented the landscape, disrupted interconnected trail systems, and undermined long-term conservation goals for the broader tract of public land.​

It also expands public overnight opportunities in Western Maryland, where cabins, campsites, and park lodging are often at capacity, by converting an existing lodge-and-cabin property into a family-friendly state park rather than building a new facility from scratch. The site offered substantial existing infrastructure, including cabins, yurts, trails, utilities, and a lodge that, while in need of upgrades, provided a rare opportunity to convert a pre-existing facility into a state park. Building a comparable park entirely from scratch would require capital investments several times higher than the purchase price and renovation costs.​​

Savage river winding through a lush green forest