Publication #DNR 02-070617-6 #DNR Publication 11/2017 Department photo Department Lens Creek Studios Lens Creek HISTORY BIKING CAMPING A FIRE- Department photo Department In the early 1800s, Charles Carroll, the last surviving Mountain biking is permitted on all open forest Primitive camping has become a rare opportunity, DEPENDENT signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned most roads, as well as the designated Mountain Bike but not at Green Ridge! There are 100 primitive of present-day Green Ridge State Forest. The Carroll Trail. The Mountain Bike Trail is also open to foot designated campsites dispersed throughout the ECOSYSTEM traffic and includes a variety of terrain, including forest. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Chimney, part of a steam saw mill built in 1836, is With exceptionally thick bark and fallen trees, fast descents, steep inclines, and Register for campsites at forest headquarters prior the only known surviving structure. the ability to re-sprout at the trunk, immediately on the right. (Travel time approximately 3 hours) 3 approximately time (Travel right. the on immediately photo Department stream crossings. to occupation. pitch pines are structurally adapted to Make a right onto M.V. Smith Road. Headquarters Drive is is Drive Headquarters Road. Smith M.V. onto right a Make It is approximately Backcountry survive wildfires. When natural fires Take I-79 South to I-68 East. Take Exit #64 (M.V. Smith Road). Road). Smith (M.V. #64 Exit Take East. I-68 to South I-79 Take Frederick Mertens came to Cumberland from Germany 12 miles long and backpack camping From Pittsburgh: From spread through the forest, these trees in the mid-1800s to build boats on the new Chesapeake & considered difficult. is also permitted Ohio Canal. By the 1870s, Mertens became very wealthy survive while limiting the growth of the the right after crossing I-68. (Travel time approximately 2 hours) 2 approximately time (Travel I-68. crossing after right the Mountain bikes are within the forest. hardwood species they normally compete Make a right onto M.V. Smith Road. Headquarters Drive is on on is Drive Headquarters Road. Smith M.V. onto right a Make and acquired a large tract of land, over 30,000 acres in not permitted on Permit and fees against. Fire also necessitates the pines’ Take I-70 West to I-68 West. Take Exit #64 (M.V. Smith Road). Road). Smith (M.V. #64 Exit Take West. I-68 to West I-70 Take size, from Carroll family heirs. other trails. apply. ability to reproduce—the cones usually From Washington, D.C./Baltimore: Washington, From open up to disperse the seeds only Directions After their father’s death, Merten’s sons developed after exposure to a blaze. for group sites by calling forest headquarters at 301-478-3124. at headquarters forest calling by sites group for an elaborate business venture: convert the forest into upon arrival. For groups of 20 or more, reserved camping is available available is camping reserved more, or 20 of groups For arrival. upon apple orchards and promote it as the “largest apple FISHING HIKING Campsites are first-come, first-serve. Register at forest headquarters headquarters forest at Register first-serve. first-come, are Campsites orchard in the universe.” By 1918, the orchard company Fishing opportunities abound at Green Ridge! Green Ridge has over 50 miles of hiking trails went bankrupt, The Potomac River has bass, catfish, muskellunge, LEAVE NO TRACE [email protected] available for day hikes or multi-day backpacking DNR.MARYLAND.GOV DNR.MARYLAND.GOV and the Maryland and sunfish. Put-and-take trout fishing is popular experiences. The trail system varies in terrain and Practice Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics: Department of on Fifteen Mile Creek, Sidling Hill Creek, and can be very rugged—many trails have steep climbs 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare Plan your outdoor adventure online! adventure outdoor your Plan Forestry acquired White Sulphur and Orchard ponds during spring. or stream crossings. 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces the land in 1931. Town Creek also offers a special management It’s recommended that visitors wear blaze orange 3. Dispose of Waste Properly delayed harvest trout fishing program. during hunting seasons. See Trail Descriptions on 4. Leave What You Find Fishing requires a valid license. Refer to the the map (other side) for details. 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts qualified individual with a disability. a with individual qualified or mental disability. This document is available in alternative format upon request from a a from request upon format alternative in available is document This disability. mental or Maryland Fishing Guide for more information at 6. Respect Wildlife Some of the earliest forest management at Green Ridge was photo Department to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin origin national age, orientation, sexual sex, religion, color, race, to regard without all to 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available available are Resources Natural of Department Maryland the of services and facilities The performed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. eregulations.com/maryland/fishing. Three camps were located at Green Ridge State Forest. Their main photo Department focus was fire control. Other work consisted of building roads, trails, SCENIC DRIVING TOUR recreation enhancements, and the management of existing forest Studios Lens Creek for its future timber and wildlife potential. During World War II, the camp at Fifteen Mile Creek housed German prisoners of war, who dnr.maryland.gov Department photo Department 877-620-8DNR mainly performed agricultural work. In Annapolis, MD 21401 MD Annapolis, ABOUT GREEN RIDGE 580 Taylor Ave., E1 Ave., Taylor 580 1955, the former camp site became Maryland Forest Service Forest Maryland home to Green Ridge Youth Camp. As one of Maryland’s largest state forests, Green Ridge offers more than 47,000 acres of recreational opportunities. Managed Today, Green Ridge is a diverse forest, consisting primarily of a by the Maryland Department of Natural 110-year-old even-aged mixed oak forest. Roughly 40 percent of the forest is managed to preserve and enhance rare ecological HORSEBACK RIDING HUNTING Enjoy Green Ridge State Forest from a different perspective—by car! You’ll not only Resources Forest Service, this working enjoy beautiful views, but also learn forest management practices along the way. Use our Horseback riding is Game species include dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel, forest provides 50 miles of trails for hiking, functions. Approximately 150–200 acres of timber are harvested self-guided driving tour to find them. The tour begins and ends at forest headquarters. annually from the remaining 60 percent to contribute to the permitted only on turkey, and white-tailed Maryland State Parks and Forests. and Parks State Maryland backpacking, and hunting. There’s easy deer. Hunting requires a It covers approximately 45 miles and takes about three hours to complete. the primary law enforcement agency for for agency enforcement law primary the public roads within YLAND DNR YLAND MAR wood products industry and support the local economy, while The Natural Resources Police (NRP) is is (NRP) Police Resources Natural The access to the Potomac River for fishing and valid license and is allowed increasing habitat diversity in the forest in perpetuity. the forest. There paddling. Or, take the scenic driving tour are two primitive during all legal seasons. to enjoy the beautiful overlooks. campsites that are Refer to the Maryland C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK 301-478-3140 NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE RESOURCES NATURAL Hunting and Trapping Green Ridge State Forest borders the historic OR OR REPORT A VIOLATION CALL THE THE CALL VIOLATION A REPORT recommended for 410-260-8888 FOR 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE OR TO TO OR ASSISTANCE 24-HOUR FOR photo Department Department photo Department riders who wish to Guide for more Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, offering 30 miles of RANGER information at biking, hiking, and horseback riding along the 301-478-3124 ASSISTANCE CALL THE FOREST FOREST THE CALL ASSISTANCE camp with their FOR FOREST INFORMATION OR OR INFORMATION FOREST FOR horses —although eregulations.com/ canal’s towpath. The canal operated from 1828– 911 E EMERGENCY ASSISTANC EMERGENCY these are not maryland/hunting. 1924 as a transportation route, hauling coal from EMERGENCY AND 24-HOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CONTACT 24-HOUR AND EMERGENCY developed horse camping sites. western Maryland to the port of Georgetown. PADDLING SIGHTSEEING SAFETY (301) 478-3124 (301) With rocky and slippery trail surfaces, and biting critters such as ticks Department photo Department Flintstone, MD 21530-9525 MD Flintstone, The Potomac River is accessible year-round except Enjoy breathtaking views at seven and mosquitos, trail users and hunters should wear long pants, socks, 28700 Headquarters Drive, NE Drive, Headquarters 28700 after severe drought. Average speed is about 1.5 overlooks throughout Green Ridge! Green Ridge State Forest State Ridge Green and sturdy boots. Visitors are responsible for having the necessary skills, miles per hour during normal conditions. The One of the overlooks, the Francis knowledge, and equipment for a safe and environmentally sensitive visit. river is mostly flat, but currents can be strong and “Champ” Zumbrun Overlook, is Lens Creek Studios Lens Creek unpredictable. Bond’s Landing has campsites and a named after a former Green Ridge boat ramp. State Forest manager. It offers a Department photo Department Paw Paw, WV to Bond’s Landing spectacular view of Flintstone, the GREEN RIDGE MARYLAND DNR Class 1 (12 miles—5 hours) Town Creek Basin, and Warrior ACCESS FOR ALL BRING THE DOG STATE FOREST Mountain. Be sure to bring your Bond’s Landing to Fifteen Mile Creek camera and binoculars! The Maryland Department of Natural Pets are allowed MARYLAND DEPARTMENT Class 1 (9 miles—3 hours) Resources works to ensure that the at Green Ridge OF NATURAL RESOURCES Department photo Department state’s natural resources are accessible to State Forest.