Big Savage Hiking Trail

Savage River State Forest, Maryland DNR (near Frostburg and Grantsville)

The Big Savage Hiking Trail follows the crest of Big Savage Mountain in Garrett County for about 17 miles, from near I-68 south to the Savage River Reservoir. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources rates it difficult and limits it to hikers, and the National Park Service calls it “a challenging one-day hike or can be an overnight.”

Backpacker places it in the Appalachian Plateau of northwestern Maryland. Water is the main planning problem.

The hike

The NPS says the trail is best hiked north to south. Garrett Trails gives directions to both ends: the northern trailhead is reached from I-68 exit 29 by Beall School Road (1.25 miles south, then left at the T for another 1.25 miles to the trail sign), and the southern end is about 4 miles up Savage River Road at a primitive camp area. SummitPost and the NPS call the northern area St. John’s Rock. Hiking Project places the south end in South Savage Mountain Natural Area near the reservoir and notes that, from that end, the first two miles or so climb steeply to the ridge before the trail levels out and stays fairly flat. It lists a high point of about 2,980 feet.

The DNR describes upland oak and hickory forest, old pine farmsteads, and rocky ground with wild azalea and rhododendron. White blazes mark the route, but Garrett Trails warns that “good route finding skills are essential for full traverses,” and adds: “Don’t miss the lookout at High Rock.” The DNR says remnants of an old fire tower lookout cabin stand there, and SummitPost commenters in 2008 described a tower with missing and unsafe steps.

Backpacker’s 2000 feature describes the trail as rocky, with some easier stretches on an old logging road, occasional overlooks east to Dans Mountain and west over the Savage River watershed, and “no potable water.” Trail conditions vary: Garrett Trails reported the trail in good shape in October 2023, while trail runners posting on Fastest Known Time in 2020 described about 200 downed trees in March and heavy brush by June, and a 2025 runner found ice and snow in December.

The NPS includes the trail in its Eastern Continental Divide Loop, part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network, which links it with the Great Allegheny Passage, the Youghiogheny River, and the Monroe Run and Meadow Mountain Trails. Savage River State Forest also has a separate backpacker loop through New Germany State Park.

For another Western Maryland overnight, see the Green Ridge Hiking Trail and C&O Canal Loop.

Tips

Carry or cache water. Garrett Trails says some backpackers leave water near Pine Swamp Road for the second day.
Get your permit first at the headquarters kiosk across from New Germany State Park.
Hike north to south, as the NPS suggests, and arrange a shuttle.
Watch the blazes. Downed trees and brush can hide the route.
Stay off the High Rock tower if it looks unsafe.
Call ahead for conditions: 301-895-5759.

Camping

A backpack camping permit is required for overnight use, according to the DNR. Get it at forest headquarters, at the outdoor kiosk, or by mail, and self-register at the headquarters kiosk before your trip, leaving the receipt on your dashboard. Camping isn’t permitted within 200 feet of any trail or stream. Campfires are allowed except during drought, and firewood must be bought locally or gathered on site. All Maryland state forests are trash-free, so pack out everything. Backpacker’s 2000 feature said camping was forbidden in the Big Savage Mountain Wildland; confirm current rules with the forest before choosing a spot.

Inside Intel: No camper accounts recommending a specific campsite on the Big Savage Trail were found. Garrett Trails’ tip about caching water near Pine Swamp Road is the closest thing to local advice.

Trail facts

Distance: About 17 miles (DNR); 16.9 to 18 miles in other sources
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Difficult
Campsites: No designated sites on the trail; primitive camp area at the south trailhead on Savage River Road
Water: Scarce; carry or cache it
Permits: Backpack camping permit by self-registration
Fires: Allowed except during drought
Use: Hikers only
Trailheads: North off Beall School Road near I-68 exit 29; south on Savage River Road near the reservoir
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

A rocky ridge over the Savage River:

Big Savage has no designated campsites and a steep, rocky ridge, and one runner found ice and snow in December. We compared three rain shells, starting with the Arc'teryx Beta SL.

Compare the shells →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.