Located in the C&O Canal National Historical Park and Allegany County Visitor Center, the C&O Canal National Historical Park Museum offers interactive and educational displays about the history of the C&O Canal and the city of Cumberland. Featuring an exhibit area with interactive and educational displays about the history of the C&O Canal and Cumberland, visitors can explore a model of the Paw Paw Tunnel to learn about the day-to-day life of the canal families and glimpse the entrance of a coal mine to learn about the main product shipped along the canal. Exhibits are on view of a model lock, boat building, and Cumberland as a transportation hub. Children will enjoy several interactive exhibits – most notably Mutt the mule.
184.5 miles of adventure from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland!
- Biking
- History & Heritage
- Parks & Forests
- Trails
Scales & Tales is an educational program using injured, non-releasable birds of prey and reptiles native to Maryland. Featured at the Rocky Gap State Park Aviary are many birds that have been injured and cannot be released or have been raised in captivity and could not survive in the wild.
This one-of-a-kind program allows visitors the opportunity to view wildlife up close and hear the tales of how the animals became part of the program.
If you are looking for something unique at your next gathering, a Scales & Tales program can be scheduled as part of your special event.
To check for program availability, scheduling or to receive information on program costs, please contact the park office at 301.722.1480 or via e-mail to Ranger Barger at kathryn.barger@maryland.go.
The Rocky Gap State Park Aviary does not have regularly scheduled open hours. However, visitors may schedule a visit Labor Day through Memorial Day based on staff availability. Modified hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day allow visitors to observe feeding and training of the birds.
For an additional service charge, visitors may reserve a private Critter Encounter or Aviary Tour. Contact Park Headquarters at 301.722.1480 for more information on Scales & Tales or an updated program schedule.
Limited public camping and two cabins are available near Green Ridge State Forest and the Potomac River between September and May.
Camp Potomac River Base (CPRB) is a unique opportunity to explore a peaceful float along the Potomac River.
CPRB provides several options for trips lasting various times within two different states, Maryland and West Virginia. Scout units must do safety afloat training prior to the canoe trip. Units must have vehicles with a 2-inch ball hitch capable of towing a canoe trailer. All canoe trip equipment is provided. Scouts simply stay overnight at Camp Potomac and in the morning, hook up the canoes and are on their way. Meet with Camp Potomac Ranger Andy and take the paddles, lifejackets and trip information. All documented trips are within 5 to 20 minutes from Camp Potomac and will last 2 to 8 hours depending on the float to paddle ratio.
Another option that they offer is to provide a packed lunch from a nearby store. Scouts can purchase lunch online for $6 when making reservations. Scout leaders can pick lunches up the night before or the morning of their trip.
Kerr Brothers Guns and Outdoors is a fun and friendly gun and outdoors shop that proudly sells well-made and accurate guns and gun accessories, and sleek bicycles in Cumberland, MD. We have a vast array of guns, gun accessories, optics, hunting supplies, ammunition and reloading supplies. Give us a call at (301) 759-4867 or stop by our shop at 323 Virginia Avenue in Cumberland, MD for our friendly, affordable and professional service.
With over 40 years of experience in guns and outdoor supplies, owner Jeff Kerr and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. We started the business in 2004 to offer quality products for a reasonable price. Our customers want to come back and bring some friends. It is a great place to share hunting stories – like the monster buck you shot or missed. Stop in and see us and check out our family friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Early Rise Flies guides out of Cumberland, Maryland, on the local trout waters of Maryland and West Virginia. Early Rise Flies is a retail store offering trout fishing supplies and equipment rentals. Early Rise Flies guides out of Cumberland, Maryland, on the local trout waters of Maryland and West Virginia. They specialize in wade fishing with Fly Rod and Spin Tackle. Savage River, Barnum (N. Branch Potomac River), Town Creek, Casselman are where they ply the craft. They also guide for Steelhead in the Tribs in Erie, Pennsylvania, during October – March. They are eager to get you on the water and can guide to a range of skill levels from the beginner angler looking to a wet line for the first time or to the avid angler looking for the perfect hole.
Connecting Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail offers 150 miles of scenic and well-maintained rail-trail, ready for your biking or hiking adventure.
Chosen by National Geographic as one of the “Top Fall Trips In The World,” the Great Allegheny Passage winds through Maryland’s mountains and along Wills Creek, giving bicyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers some of the most majestic views in the east. Linking up to the C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland, Maryland, travelers can enjoy a continuous, off-road trail experience for 334 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C.
Starting in Cumberland, the Great Allegheny Passage follows the route of the historic Western Maryland Railway as it makes a gradual ascent to the Eastern Continental Divide. Along the way, travelers pass through the Brush Tunnel and bend around the 180˚ Helmstetter’s Curve, paralleling the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (which offers rides, with bicycles if desired, to Frostburg, Maryland where public art, lunch, and ice cream await). After Frostburg, travelers can meander through the Borden Tunnel, cross the Mason & Dixon Line, and catch spectacular views into four states at the overlook outside the lighted Big Savage Tunnel.
The trail surface is mostly packed, crushed limestone, with the section near Cumberland, paved with asphalt. This trail is suitable for most types of bicycle, from mountain bikes and hybrids to road bikes.
Allegany County Trail Access and Parking:
Frostburg Riley Trail Access – New Hope Road NW, Frostburg, MD (Mile Marker 16)
Cumberland Trail Access – 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD (Mile Marker 0)
Dans Mountain State Park is located in Allegany County, Maryland. The park can be accessed off I-68 at Exit 34 by traveling south on Maryland Route 36 for approximately nine miles.
Dans Mountain State Park serves as a seasonal recreational facility that covers 481 acres and offers a wide variety of wildlife, mountain streams, overlooks and scenic beauty. The primary feature of the park is an Olympic-size, heated swimming pool that offers an accessible ramp and chairlift for visitors with disabilities and a fenced wading pool. A modern bathhouse and concession stand serves the area from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The day use area, with additional picnic tables and a playground, overlooks the pool.
A pond that is stocked annually is an ideal place for anglers, young and old alike. Picnic tables are located throughout the park, and include accessible tables.
Three pavilions are available for day-use group events and the Water Station Run Pavilion, Pythian Pavilion, and Mountain Top Pavilion are available to groups by reservation only and for a fee. Be sure to visit their website to check terms of use and availability.
The Hill Run Group Campsite, available by reservation only, is a primitive group campsite with an open field for tent camping, picnic tables, a fire ring and the pavilion itself with the large fireplace.
Pets are allowed in the park on a leash, but are not allowed on playgrounds, in the pool area, or inside the restrooms.
The park is located on a 16-mile long mountain that takes its name from Daniel Cresap, one of the first settlers in Allegany County. Daniel was known for being adventurous, often hunting with a Delaware native American named Nemacolin. While pursuing a bear in a tree, Daniel fell and lay unconscious until Nemacolin found him and dragged Daniel home to safety. Since that event, the mountain has been known as Dans Mountain.
“You Pedal, We Pamper.” Packaging trips along the C&O Canal and the Great Allegany Passage and all points between.
Packaging trips along the C&O Canal and the Great Allegany Passage and all points between. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or the full trek from Pittsburgh to Washington, we handle all the details; lodging (B&B Inns and the finer hotels), delicious gourmet meals and attractions.
Transportation and guide service are also available. Each trip customized, from two persons to 20 people. Bicycle rentals hourly, daily and multi-day. Gear and repairs available from local bike shops.
Get Out & Play! Outfitters is a full service guide and outfitter, including retail. Located at the junction of the Great Allegany Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath, on the second floor of the Western Maryland Railway Station, Get Out & Play offers bike shuttles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Washington, DC, kayak/canoe rentals, and guided adventures.
Speak with their booking agent for Off-Road Segway Tours, Off-Road UTV Tours, Archery and many other outdoor adventures. Prime location for Great Allegany Passage, C&O Canal Towpath, and Cumberland apparel and other souvenirs. Make sure to ask about the Escape Room!
Waterfowl hunt with Mountain Ducks Guide Service located in the scenic mountains of Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland. Whether you prefer a float hunt on the Potomac River or a decoy hunt from a layout or freelance shore blind, Mountain Ducks Guide Service will provide you with a one-of-a-kind hunting experience. They provide guided hunting for ducks and geese. They also guide trips for bass fishing in the Potomac River in Western Maryland. All hunters need a current Maryland Hunting license, HIP survey, appropriate state and federal waterfowl stamps, camo clothing, shotgun and steel (or other non-toxic) shot. We recommend #1-#4 shot for ducks, #1-#BB shot for geese, and #7-#8 lead shot for doves.
Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for guests to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park, which also features 243-acre Lake Habeeb. The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds through an impressive mile-long gap displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks, and a Hemlock forest dense with Rhododendron.
Rocky Gap Campground offers 260+ individual campsites (including 30 sites equipped with 30-amp electric hook-ups). The campground also has 14 Mini Cabins, a Yurt, a family group site, and two youth group camping areas. The campground also features a dumping station, bathhouses with hot water in each loop, the Scales & Tales Aviary, canoe/kayak/SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), a nature center, a private swimming beach, a playground, trail access, Snack Shack, and a camp store.
Pets are only allowed in select locations.
Reservations are available May-December. Make reservations online at https://parkreservations.maryland.gov or call the reservation center at 1.888.432.2267.
