Green Ridge State Forest, Maryland

Questions and answers

28 answers about camping here, kept with the app and checked against Maryland DNR where DNR has said something. Independent, free, and built by campers. Not a DNR service.

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Everything we are asked

Camping at Green Ridge

    Trip Planning

  • What kind of camping experience should I expect at Green Ridge?

    Expect primitive camping with limited services.

    Green Ridge is a primitive state forest camping area. Plan for a self-sufficient trip rather than developed-campground amenities.

    • Safety

  • What changes during hunting season?

    Expect more activity and plan for visibility.

    Hunting is permitted throughout the forest except where posted with safety zone signs, so during hunting seasons expect more movement in the forest: trucks on the roads before dawn, gunfire from first light, and campsites filling with hunters. DNR recommends that visitors wear blaze orange during hunting seasons. Keep route plans conservative. Green Ridge is in Deer Management Region A; DNR's dates for the 2026-2027 license year are: early muzzleloader deer Oct 22-24, 2026; black bear Oct 26-31, 2026; fall turkey Oct 31-Nov 8, 2026; Junior Deer Hunt days Nov 14-15, 2026; firearm deer Nov 28-Dec 12, 2026; late muzzleloader deer Dec 19, 2026-Jan 2, 2027; spring turkey Apr 17-May 24, 2027 (Apr 17-18 are the junior days, hours to noon through May 10, then to sunset). Green Ridge is designated public land open to Sunday hunting, so there are no quiet Sundays inside those windows.

  • Who do I call in an emergency or to report a violation?

    Call 911 for an emergency. For 24-hour help or to report a violation, call the Natural Resources Police on 410-260-8888 or 301-478-3140.

    For anything life-threatening, call 911. The Natural Resources Police are the law enforcement agency for Maryland state forests; reach them around the clock on 410-260-8888 or 301-478-3140 to get assistance or report a violation. For forest information, road conditions or permits, call the forest ranger at headquarters on 301-478-3124. The office is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and the forest itself is open sunrise to sunset. Cell coverage is poor in the forest, so know where the nearest signal is before you need it.

    • Check-In

  • Where do I check in?

    Check in at Green Ridge headquarters.

    Green Ridge State Forest Headquarters is at 28700 Headquarters Drive NE, Flintstone, MD 21530. Phone: 301-478-3124. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; when the office is closed, use the outdoor self-registration kiosk.

  • What if I arrive after office hours?

    Use the outside self-registration kiosk.

    When headquarters is closed, use the outdoor self-registration kiosk for camping, backpacking, shooting range, and fuelwood permits. Cash or check only.

    • Reservations

  • Do I reserve primitive campsites online?

    Usually no; primitive forest sites are generally first-come, first-served.

    Primitive sites are first-come, first-served. Register at headquarters when you arrive, or at the outdoor kiosk when the office is closed. The exception is the group sites, which parties of 20 or more can reserve by calling headquarters at 301-478-3124.

    • Conditions

  • Can roads or campsites close?

    Yes. Weather and maintenance can change access.

    Road and site access can change due to weather events and repairs. Check official notices before departure and again on trip day.

    • Driving

  • What road conditions should I expect?

    Expect gravel roads and variable conditions.

    Plan for dirt/gravel roads, variable traction, and longer in-forest drive times than expected.

    • Navigation

  • Is cell service reliable?

    Do not assume reliable service.

    Treat cell coverage as inconsistent in remote sections. Download offline maps before entering the forest.

    • Packing

  • What are the non-negotiable items to bring?

    Bring water, waste supplies, lighting, first aid, and payment.

    Core items: drinking water, toilet supplies, trash bags, headlamp/flashlight, first aid kit, weather layers, map backup, and cash/check.

    • Firewood & Fire

  • Can I bring firewood from home?

    No. DNR prohibits bringing in outside firewood; buy local or gather on site.

    Maryland DNR prohibits bringing firewood into the forest from your own supply. Firewood for camping must be bought from a local vendor or gathered on site. Campers who bring their own wood are asked to burn it right away and not bring it again, and repeat violators can lose their camping permit. The Knot Hole (27401 National Pike NE, Flintstone, Fri and Sat 10 to 2, 240-580-0137, delivery 301-707-2577) sells local wood on the way in, and headquarters often has bundles.

    • Leave No Trace

  • What cleanup standard should I follow?

    Leave your site cleaner than you found it.

    Pack out all trash, scan for small litter, extinguish fires fully, and leave the site ready for the next camper.

    • Pre-Departure

  • What should I check 24 hours before my trip?

    Check closures, weather, maps, payment, and core supplies.

    Before departure, verify official conditions, confirm route options, prepare cash/check, download maps, and confirm water and safety gear.

    • Packing

  • Is there drinking water at the campsites?

    No. Bring all the water you need.

    Green Ridge's primitive sites have only a picnic table and fire ring, with no other amenities or plumbing, so there is no drinking water at the sites. Fill up before you arrive or top off at headquarters, and filter or treat any creek water.

    • Check-In

  • How much does camping cost, and how do I pay?

    $10 per night for a standard site, $20 for a group site, cash or check only.

    A standard primitive site is $10 per night and a group site is $20 per night. Backcountry backpacking needs a permit and fees apply. Payment is cash or check only, no cards. Pay at headquarters (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily) or use the outdoor self-registration kiosk when the office is closed.

    • Policy

  • What time is check-out, and how long can I stay?

    Check-out is 3:00 p.m.; stays are capped at 14 consecutive nights.

    The headquarters camping roster sets a 3:00 p.m. check-out and a maximum of 14 consecutive nights. Sites marked with a red slash over the number should be vacated by 3:00 p.m., and there are no refunds.

    • Pets

  • Can I bring my dog?

    Yes. Pets are allowed on a leash at all times.

    Maryland DNR permits pets throughout Green Ridge State Forest, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out pet waste, and bring your dog's water, since there is none at the sites.

    • Logistics

  • Can I bring a trailer, RV, or pop-up camper?

    Some sites fit small trailers and pop-ups; there are no hookups.

    Sites are primitive with no water, electric, or sewer hookups. Some can accommodate a travel trailer or pop-up camper, but access roads range from easy to rough and many sites suit tents only. Check the Trailer-friendly and Pop-up tags on the sites list, and call HQ before bringing a larger rig.

    • Reservations

  • Are there overflow sites if the numbered sites are full?

    Yes, the official forest map marks overflow campsites. Ask headquarters how to use them.

    The Maryland DNR forest map includes overflow campsites in its legend alongside the numbered primitive sites and the group sites. DNR does not publish how overflow sites are assigned or what they are equipped with, so if the numbered sites are full, ask at headquarters or call 301-478-3124 before you settle on one.

    • Sanitation

  • Are there toilets at the campsites?

    Plan on none at your site. Each site has only a picnic table and fire ring.

    DNR describes each primitive site as having a picnic table and a fire ring and nothing else, so do not expect a toilet at your campsite. The official forest map marks portable toilet locations in the forest, but DNR does not list a toilet at any campsite. Bring your own toilet supplies and follow Leave No Trace practices for human waste.

    • Reservations

  • How do the group sites work?

    Three group sites, $20 per night, reserved by phone for parties of 20 or more.

    Green Ridge has three group sites at $20 per night. Unlike the standard sites, they can be reserved: groups of 20 or more call forest headquarters at 301-478-3124. Payment is cash or check only.

    • Check-In

  • Can I backpack and camp in the backcountry?

    Yes, with a backpacking permit from headquarters or any self-registration kiosk before you head in.

    Backcountry backpack camping is permitted within the forest, and fees apply. A backpacking permit is required and must be obtained at headquarters or at any self-registration kiosk before entering the backcountry. Green Ridge has 50-plus miles of hiking trails for multi-day trips, and the official forest map marks Adirondack shelters along the trail system. Trail guides and large-format topographic maps are sold at headquarters.

    • Policy

  • Is there a minimum stay on summer weekends?

    Yes. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekends are two nights and holiday weekends are three.

    DNR's statewide rule for primitive campsites in state forests is that self-registration must be for a minimum of two nights on weekends, and three nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) on holiday weekends, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

    • Activities

  • Can I ride my horse in the forest?

    Yes, but only on the designated maintained primitive roads, not on hiking or mountain bike trails.

    Horseback riding at Green Ridge is allowed on the forest's designated maintained primitive roads and on the C&O Canal towpath along the southern boundary, but not on the hiking trails or the Mountain Bike Trail. If you want to camp with your horse, DNR recommends two of the primitive campsites for riders; ask at headquarters which ones. These are ordinary primitive sites, not developed horse camps, so there are no corrals, water troughs or trailer pads.

  • Where can I mountain bike?

    On any open forest road and on the 12.5-mile Mountain Bike Trail, a pink-blazed circuit rated moderate to difficult. Bikes are not allowed on the other trails.

    Mountain bikes are permitted on all open forest roads and on the designated Mountain Bike Trail, a 12.5-mile circuit of mostly single track with stream crossings, fallen trees, steep climbs and fast descents. DNR rates it moderate to difficult and marks it with pink blazes. There is a primitive campsite with a picnic table and fire ring at the trailhead, and the trail is open to hikers as well. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed only on this designated mountain biking trail. Bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails. Maps and brochures are sold at headquarters.

  • Is there geocaching in the forest?

    Yes. There are about two dozen approved caches; look them up on geocaching.com. Placing a new cache needs approval from headquarters first.

    Green Ridge has roughly two dozen officially approved geocaches, listed on geocaching.com. Every cache must be reviewed and approved by the forest before it is placed, so read DNR's geocaching guidelines and send the approval form to headquarters if you want to hide one. Both documents are linked from the DNR recreation page. Metal detectors and removing artifacts are prohibited in the forest.

  • Is there a scenic drive through the forest?

    Yes. DNR's self-guided driving tour is a 44-mile loop from headquarters, about 3 hours, with four overlooks along the way.

    The self-guided scenic driving tour starts and ends at forest headquarters, covers about 44 miles and takes around three hours with stops. It passes Town Hill Vista, Point Lookout, Banner's Overlook and Log Roll Overlook, plus a short walk to Zumbrun Overlook, with notes on the fire tower, the old-growth stand and how the forest is managed. Most of it is on gravel forest roads; bring a picnic and check road conditions with headquarters first. The DNR brochure is at dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Documents/GRSF-Driving-Tour.pdf, and the stops are listed on this app's guide page.

    • Policy

  • What hours is the forest open?

    The forest is open sunrise to sunset. Registered campers stay overnight at their sites; the headquarters office is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

    Green Ridge State Forest is open from sunrise to sunset for day use. If you have registered for a campsite you can of course stay overnight at it. The headquarters office is staffed 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, and outside those hours the outdoor kiosk handles self-registration for camping, the shooting range and fuelwood permits, cash or check only.