About
Meadow Mountain Trail Parking & Trailhead is a small roadside lot on MD-495 that serves as the southern access point for the Meadow Mountain Trail in Savage River State Forest. It's the trailhead to use if you want the ridge's southern end and its overlook of the Monroe Run Valley.
Finding the Lot
Garrett Trails places the lot on Route 495 about 1 mile north of its intersection with New Germany Road, or about 2 miles south of Mosser Road, with room for three to five vehicles. From the lot, the first half-mile is gravel; after that the trail becomes a forest path on a former logging road, so a hybrid bike may or may not be up to it.
On the Ridge
The Meadow Mountain Trail was first created for fire control and runs along the ridgetop of Meadow Mountain, in places following the Eastern Continental Divide with views east and west. Maryland DNR lists it at about 12 miles and moderate; Garrett Trails, which notes construction of its newest section wrapped up in autumn 2021, puts it at about 14 miles. The southern end finishes at an overlook of the Monroe Run Valley, where on a clear day DNR says you can see Mt. Storm, West Virginia. The trail is also part of the 32-mile backpacker loop with the Monroe Run and Poplar Lick Trails and New Germany State Park, and camping at its primitive sites requires a backpacking permit.
Who Shares the Trail
- Hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers and horseback riders on the ridgetop sections
- Snowmobiles in winter as snow allows, with a Maryland DNR Off-Road Permit
- ORVs only on the northern section near I-68 and New Germany Road, and not during the mid-December to mid-March winter closure
Pets are allowed throughout Savage River State Forest on a leash, and all Maryland state forests are trash-free, so pack out what you bring. Savage River State Forest headquarters is at 127 Headquarters Lane in Grantsville; give them a call to confirm seasonal rules before you go.
Address
MD-495, Swanton, MD 21561