About
Big Run State Park Campground is the camping area of Big Run State Park, a small Maryland Park Service property at the northern end of Savage River Reservoir near Swanton, surrounded by Savage River State Forest. Its 23 primitive campsites suit tent campers and self-contained RVers who want a quiet, simple base for fishing, paddling and hiking in the mountains of southern Garrett County.
The Campsites
The campground has two distinct areas, so you can choose the feel you like:
- Wooded sites (63–75) sit under the trees on stone-dust camping pads.
- Field sites (78–90) are spread across an open, grassy field.
Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring. These are primitive sites, so plan to bring what you need. Leashed pets are welcome. The park also has two group areas that can be booked separately: the Monroe Run Group Campsite (up to 25 people, with a Civilian Conservation Corps shelter) and the Creekside Group Campsite (up to 12 people, beside Big Run, a native brook trout stream).
Around the Reservoir
Big Run began in the 1930s as a 50-acre recreation area built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and today covers about 300 acres where Monroe Run meets Big Run. The park has a boat ramp on Savage River Reservoir, which is used for non-motorized boating, electric motors and fishing. The Monroe Run hiking trail starts in the park, and the surrounding state forest adds more trails, a picnic area and a pavilion.
Before You Go
All sites are reserved through the Maryland Park Service reservation system (parkreservations.maryland.gov or 1-888-432-2267) and are available year-round. Same-day reservations are not taken; campers without a booking may pay on arrival for a site marked "AVAILABLE" for one night only. Beginning in May 2027, Big Run Road will close near Savage River Road for up to four months while a culvert is replaced with a bridge, so check the DNR alert for which sites are reached via New Germany Road during that work.
Pack the fishing rod and a good map, and give the park office a call if you have questions before your trip.
Address
Big Run Rd, Swanton, MD 21561