Maryland Off-Road Parks

Explore 2 off-road parks in Maryland. ATV, UTV, dirt bike, and 4x4 parks with trail maps, hours, and directions.

Maryland's public OHV infrastructure is concentrated in the Allegheny highlands of Garrett County, where two Maryland DNR sites together form the strongest state-managed off-road program in the mid-Atlantic. Wolf Den Run State Park, opened in 2019 as the state's first park created specifically for ORV recreation, spans 2,039 acres across three parcels with more than 50 miles of routes on former mining and logging roads — the park accommodates full-size 4x4 trucks and Jeeps alongside ATVs, side-by-sides, and dirt bikes, and added a Jeep Badge of Honor trail in 2025. St. John's Rock ORV Trail within Savage River State Forest offers a purpose-built, 12-mile system arranged by vehicle type, including dedicated motorcycle hare-scramble single-track, technical ATV/UTV loops, and a full-size rock crawl area for 4WD vehicles. Both sites require Maryland DNR ORV permits or MVA registration; Wolf Den Run also requires a reservation for motorized use. Browse the Maryland parks below.

S

St. John's Rock ORV Trail

St. John's Rock ORV Trail

St. Johns Rock OHV Area is a 2,500-acre state-managed off-road riding area on the western Maryland Potomac-highlands plateau in Garrett County, roughly 15 miles north of Oakland and a few miles from the Deep Creek Lake resort corridor. The area is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and functions as the state's primary dedicated OHV riding destination — a meaningful distinction in a state with limited managed off-road access. Trail character is quintessential Appalachian highland: rolling wooded terrain on ridges and benches above the North Branch Potomac watershed, with elevations that keep the area cool in summer and extend the fall foliage season well into October. The trail system includes signed loops of varying difficulty, from smooth gravel service-road corridors suitable for beginners to rockier, rooted single-track that rewards more experienced riders. Hardwood forest dominates — maple, oak, cherry, and beech — with occasional open power-line cuts that provide views across the surrounding highlands. ATVs, UTVs, and off-highway motorcycles are permitted on designated routes; trail width varies between segments, so check current vehicle width limits before visiting. Permits are required and available at the trailhead or online through the Maryland DNR portal. Multiple staging areas provide parking for trailered rigs. The area sits within striking distance of Wisp Ski Resort and Deep Creek Lake State Park, making it a viable destination for mixed-recreation trips from the Baltimore-Washington metro. Season runs May through November, with spring and fall generally offering the best riding conditions on the area's clay-loam surfaces.

W

Wolf Den Run State Park

Wolf Den Run State Park

Wolf Den Run Recreation Area is a 3,200-acre ATV and OHV riding area in Garrett County in western Maryland, situated in the Appalachian highlands south of the town of Friendsville near the West Virginia border — approximately 20 miles southwest of Oakland. The area is managed by the Maryland DNR as part of the state's designated OHV network and shares the rugged Appalachian character of this corner of Maryland: ridgeline trails through mature hardwood forest, stream-bottom crossings, and terrain that changes character significantly between the high benches and the hollow bottoms below. Trail layout at Wolf Den Run is organized around several interconnected loops ranging from easier ridge-top cruisers to more challenging descents into creek drainages. Riding surfaces are a mix of hard-packed gravel, packed earth, and rocky outcroppings — trail conditions can vary significantly by season, with spring being the softest and fall the most consistent. ATVs and UTVs up to the permitted width are the primary vehicle class; off-highway motorcycles are also welcome on designated routes. An OHV permit is required for all machines; day-use and annual passes are available through the Maryland DNR. Garrett County provides the supporting infrastructure: towns of Friendsville, Oakland, and Accident all have fuel, food, and lodging options within 20 minutes of the area. The area sits near the Youghiogheny River corridor, which draws whitewater kayakers and generates a broader outdoor-recreation visitor base. Spring snowmelt can saturate low-lying trail sections, so call ahead for conditions in March and April.

Also explore nearby states

Ride Maryland with Off Road Hubs

Get trail maps, GPS tracking, SOS alerts, and fire monitoring for Maryland off-road parks — free for riders.

Browse All Parks