Rocky Gap State Park is located in Western Maryland’s Allegany County. The park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for visitors to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park. The 243-acre Lake Habeeb is known for having the "bluest water in the state." The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds its way through an impressive mile-long gorge, displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks and a hemlock forest dense with rhododendron and mountain laurel. Overlooking the lake is Evitt’s Mountain, named for one of the first European settlers in Allegany County.
Pavilions and Amphitheater
Mountain View Pavilion is located in the Day Use Area, near the public beaches. The pavilion accommodates up to 80 people. This pavilion features private restrooms, service counters, large grills and access to all Day Use Area beaches and amenities. Users and guests of this pavilion are subject to paying the park entrance fee and must vacate the area by sunset.
White Pine Pavilion is located along Pleasant Valley Road near the public boat launch. This pavilion is nestled under a shady grove of white pine trees and accommodates up to 125 people. There are bathrooms and ample parking.
Lakeview Pavilion is located along Pleasant Valley Road. This pavilion accommodates up to 125 people. This pavilion features a private restroom, parking and a large open field perfect for weddings, family reunions and large group gatherings.
Amphitheater - If you are looking for a place to host your outdoor wedding, reception, a small concert, or other special event, the amphitheater offers the perfect facility. The amphitheater at Rocky Gap is available for daily rental. Seating capacity is 3,000. The stage area is 42 feet x 60 feet of smooth finish, rose-colored concrete. There is no overhead cover installed on the stage area.
Trails & Hiking
Rocky Gap offers a variety of multi-use trails for guests to enjoy. The Lakeside Loop Trail, a moderate 5.3 mile trail that encircles Lake Habeeb, offers hikers scenic beauty of the area. Crossing over four-foot bridges, trekking along the shoreline and winding through the woodlands are what makes this such a diverse trail.
A magnificent view of the one mile long gorge is the giftCanyon Trail Overlook hikers will get when they reach the overlook on the one-quarter mile long Canyon Overlook Trail. This loop trail offers visitors a short but scenic hike.
“Rock hop” down into the canyon on the challenging five-mile long Evitt’s Homesite Trail and find yourself surrounded by hemlock, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Cross the small cascading stream on the footbridge and begin to climb Evitt’s Mountain, named for one of Allegany County’s first European settlers. This is an ambitious, out-and-back trail that climbs about 1,000 feet in elevation in 2.5 miles. Plan to take water and a camera and spend a couple of hours hiking to the top of the mountain. This trail offers a great hike for those willing to take the challenge.
The one-quarter mile long Touch of Nature Trail offers hikers of all ability levels a paved trail. Benches line the hemlock-edged path that leads to the fishing dock and connects with the Lakeside Loop Trail.
Camping
Rocky Gap Campground offers 278 individual campsites (including 30 equipped with 30 amp electric hook-ups, Mini Cabin and Yurt Options), a family group site and two youth group camping areas. The campground also features a dump 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 allowed in Camp Loops Ash, Birch, Chestnut, Dogwood and Elm (Sites 1- 143). Alcohol is only permitted inside personal motor homes. Check-in for campsites is 3 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m.
The Family Group Site offers space for up to 40 people to camp together. The group site includes a two-story Mini Cabin with electric, as well as six 30 amp electric hookups and a group fire ring. Bathhouses are located in the adjacent camp loops.
Boating & Fishing
Rocky Gap State Park's Lake Habeeb offers year-round recreational opportunities. Boats are allowed on Lake Habeeb 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Navigational lights are required after sunset. Gasoline powered motors are prohibited on Lake Habeeb. A public boat ramp is located within the park, along Pleasant Valley Road. Canoe, kayak and SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day) are available in the Day Use Area and at the campground beach, for campground users.
Fishing is permitted 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The lake is home to panfish, trout, catfish and large and smallmouth bass. A valid Maryland Non-Tidal/Freshwater Fishing License is required for those 16 years of age and older.
To help maintain a healthy fish population, park volunteers have added artificial fish habitats throughout the lake. Brown trout and rainbow trout are stocked throughout the year.
Hunting
Rocky Gap is one of Maryland's many state parks that allow hunting activities for the public. At Rocky Gap there are 1,451 acres of designated for hunting. This area can be accessed by walking from the parking area at the Touch of Nature Trailhead or by walking in from the campground or campground office parking lot.
A separate 300-acre tract of land between Pleasant Valley Road and I-68 offers bow only hunting. Parking is available at the amphitheatre on Pleasant Valley Road.
Hunting areas are marked with signs and safety areas are posted. Please recognize all hunting regulations and safety precautions. Remember to keep all weapons unloaded and cased until you are within a designated hunting area. Hunters are asked to take into consideration that recreational trails do pass into the managed hunting areas.
