National park · United States
Green Ridge State Forest
Enter Green Ridge State Forest for free; hike the Pine Lick Trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the morning, or tackle the Long Pond Trail (8 km (5 mi), moderate) in autumn; avoid peak summer weekends.Enter Green Ridge State Forest for free; hike the Pine Lick Trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the morning, or tackle the Long Pond Trail (5 mi (8 km), moderate) in autumn; avoid peak summer weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
1931
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- Exact forest size not published; check.
- Established
- 1931
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Green Ridge State Forest in western Maryland offers over 40 mi of trails, historic C&O Canal sights, hunting, fishing, mountain biking and dispersed camping across a mixed hardwood forest.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1931.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 1931
Exact forest size not published; check.
Why go
- Over 40 mi of trails ranging from easy valley walks to steep ridge climbs.
- Access to historic C&O Canal locks and the Paw Paw Tunnel nearby.
- Opportunities for hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and backcountry camping.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; trails quiet.
- FebSnow may linger on higher ground.
- MarSpring bloom, mild temps.
- AprPleasant weather, low crowds.
- MayWarm, trail conditions good.
- JunHeat and insects increase.
- JulHot, thunderstorms possible.
- AugPeak heat, humidity.
- SepCooler, foliage colors start.
- OctMild, leaf‑fall scenery.
- NovCold, fewer visitors.
- DecWinter, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear (rare)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Songbirds, salamanders near streamsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cumberland, MD
Take I‑68 west 10 min to the forest headquarters off exit 8.
15 min
From Hagerstown, MD
I‑68 east 50 min; follow signs to Green Ridge State Forest.
1 h
Open the page →
From Washington, DC
I‑70/ I‑68 west 2 h 15 min; exit at I‑68 8.
2 h 15 min
From Baltimore, MD
I‑68 west 2 h; same exit as above.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Pine Lick Trail) | Visitor parking, trailhead, scenic overlook. | Open daily; free parking. |
| Long Pond Trail area | Red trailhead near Lock 58 of C&O Canal. | Open; trailhead parking. |
| Mountain Bike circuit | 12 mi loop with Polish Mountain climb. | Open to hikers and bikers. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Maryland DNR site; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry | Free | person | No fee for day use; check for special permits. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Hunting permit no permit
Camping permit no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; clean up after them.
- Firearms
- Hunting only with proper DNR permit; no firearms for recreation.
- Camping
- First‑come, first‑served sites; no reservations; no backcountry camping outside designated sites.
- Motorized vehicles
- Only on designated forest roads; off‑road driving prohibited.
- Alcohol
- Not allowed in the forest.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cumberland hotels
Range of motels and B&Bs 10 min drive west.
In the park
Camping sites
Over 100 first‑come, first‑served sites across the forest.
Safety
Heat and insects medium
Wildlife encounters low
Storms on ridge trails medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters trailhead has parking and short, level paths to the overlook.
- Long Pond trail includes some steep sections; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all trash; use existing campsites only.
- Follow DNR fire‑danger guidelines; avoid lighting fires.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Green Ridge State Forest?
There is no entrance fee; day use is free. Special permits may apply for hunting or organized events.
What are the best hikes in Green Ridge State Forest?
Pine Lick Trail (easy, 2 km), Long Pond Trail (moderate, 8 km) and the Mountain Bike circuit (hard, 12 mi) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Green Ridge State Forest?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Are there camping facilities?
Yes, over 100 first‑come, first‑served sites are scattered throughout the forest; four shelters are also available.
Can I bring a dog?
Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails; owners must clean up after them.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Green Ridge State Forest
Loading…
Was this useful?