National park · United States
Rocky Gap State Park
Visit Rocky Gap State Park: drive from I‑68 to the Pleasant Valley entrance, park the car, and spend a morning fishing or a 4‑mile hike; entry is free, but bring $10‑$15 for boat rentals.
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- 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.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
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
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- Park covers about 19.5 km² (≈7.5 sq mi) of land and Lake Habeeb; the figure is from the Maryland DNR official page.
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Rocky Gap State Park in western Maryland offers a lake‑front resort, non‑motorized boating, fishing, and short marked hikes around Lake Habeeb, making it a popular day‑trip destination.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1979
Park covers about 19.5 km² (≈7.5 sq mi) of land and Lake Habeeb; the figure is from the Maryland DNR official page.
Why go
- Lake Habeeb offers fishing, non‑motorized boating and a scenic shoreline.
- Short, well‑marked trails include a 4‑mile ridge walk with lake views.
- The on‑site resort and casino provide a comfortable base for a day trip.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet; lake fishing still good.
- FebLow crowds, occasional snow.
- MarSpring thaw, trails dry.
- AprMild temps, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, full trail access.
- JunHeat rises; bring water.
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugPeak heat, bugs.
- SepCooler, fewer visitors.
- OctFall colors, Halloween event.
- NovCool, quiet.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirdsMar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 east, exit 50 for Pleasant Valley Rd to the park gate.
15–20 min
From Morgantown, WV
Drive east on I‑68, then follow signs to Pleasant Valley Rd.
45–55 min
Open the page →
From Washington, DC
I‑70 east to I‑68, then exit 50; total about 3 h by car.
≈3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Habeeb area | Boating, fishing, beach, picnic sites. | Open year‑round; boat rentals on site. |
| Trailhead loop | 4‑mi ridge trail and 5‑mi forest trail. | Open; signage at trailheads. |
| Resort & Casino | Lodging, dining, gaming. | Paid entry; open daily. |
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 official page; approximate centre of the park.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free for day use (check). |
| Boat rental (non‑motorized) | US$10–15 | boat | Hourly rate, check at rental desk. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; must be under 25 lb.
- Camping
- Only in designated campground sites; reservations required.
- Firearms
- Prohibited within park boundaries.
Where to stay
In the park
Rocky Gap Casino & Resort
Hotel rooms with lake views; on‑site dining.
Near the park
State park campgrounds
278 sites with electric hookups; $30‑$35 per night.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Lightning storms high
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
- Main parking lot and resort lobby are wheelchair accessible.
- Lake dock has a ramp for small‑wheelchair boarding of non‑motorized boats.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; refill stations at the visitor centre.
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile forest understory.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rocky Gap State Park?
Day entry is free; boat rentals cost $10‑$15 per hour. Camping fees are $30‑$35 per night.
What are the best hikes in Rocky Gap State Park?
The 4‑mile ridge loop offers lake views and moderate terrain; the 5‑mile forest loop provides a quieter woodland walk.
When is the best time to visit Rocky Gap State Park?
Spring (Mar‑May) and early fall (Sep‑Oct) give mild weather and fewer crowds.
Are pets allowed in Rocky Gap State Park?
Yes, dogs must be leashed and under 25 lb; they are not allowed on the beach area.
Is there lodging inside the park?
The state‑run resort and casino offers hotel rooms; the park also has a campground with 278 sites.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Rocky Gap State Park
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