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Camping – Potomac State Forest (MD)

Articles on this site are out of date since some go back to 2006. Regulations and property ownership may have changed since publication. It is your responsibility to know and obey all regulations and not trespass on private property.

One of the things I noticed when I fished the North Branch from Laurel Run up to Wallman was the camping available in the Potomac State Forest. The Park has many clean, well maintained sites. In Fact, there are 16 sites split between the Wallman and Laurel Run roads and 6 over by the Lostland Run.

According to the web site, if you are going to camp in a group, there is one group site per area and it will run $20 a night (2006).  There are also shelter areas for $15 with the remaining being first come first served at $10 a night.

To reserve the group or shelter sites, call the Forest Office at 301 334-2038.  The other sites use the honor system

The above is a bit different from the instructions that are posted at the sites – they lead you to believe that everything is first come first served. 

The web site may have been updated since I was there in early September.  So, if you want a shelter, give the Forest Service a call just to be sure.

Sign marking the Laurel/Wallman split in the road and the honor camping depository. Head left to go to Laurel Run, right for Wallman.  Put your camping fee in the big brown thing in the foreground. 

Example shelter site – small shelter, picnic table and plenty of space to spread out

Example other site – picnic table and plenty of space

Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

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