Big Run State Park is a public recreation area located at the northern end of the

Savage River Reservoir The Savage River Reservoir is a storage reservoir in northwest Maryland. It was completed in 1952 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is owned and maintained by the Upper Potomac River Commission. The reservoir was formed by the Savage River ...

, an impoundment of the Savage River, in Garrett County, Maryland. The

state park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...

occupies in Savage River State Forest and encompasses the confluence of Monroe Run and Big Run. Park activities include boating, fishing, hiking, picknicking, and camping.

History

The park originated as the Big Run Recreation Area, one of several Maryland areas that were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. In 1952, the Maryland State Planning Commission recommended that the "lightly used" recreation area be expanded to take advantage of its location on the reservoir that had been newly created on the Savage River.

Ecology

;Climate The park's climate is similar to mountain weather; cold winters accompanied by mild, humid summers. The park is located within the Western Appalachian Plateau, which gives rise to colder temperatures. The

rests in a canyon that experiences high winds, contributing to the weather changes. *Average coolest month: January (30-34 °F) *Average warmest month: July (74-80 °F) *Average wettest month: May ;Wildlife Red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk, great-horned owl, screech owl, songbirds, indigo bunting and other forest interior dwellers can be spotted within Big Run. Black bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer and raccoon are among the park's mammalian inhabitants. Grouse, great blue herons, minks, and ducks may be seen seasonally along the reservoir edge. ;Flora The park's forests contain oak, hickory and native hardwoods. Trout lilies and spring beauties bloom in April,

trilliums ''Trillium'' (trillium, wakerobin, toadshade, tri flower, birthroot, birthwort, and sometimes "wood lily") is a genus of about fifty flowering plant species in the family Melanthiaceae. ''Trillium'' species are native to temperate regions of No ...

and lady slippers in the months of May and June, while rhododendrons, bee balm and cardinal flowers bloom in July.

Activities and amenities

The park is accessible on New Germany Road from Interstate 68, Exit 24. It offers primitive campsites, group campsites, youth group campsite, and pavilions. Picnicking facilities are located in the park's day use area. The Savage River Reservoir is used for non-motorized boating, electric motoring, and fishing. Facilities include a boat ramp. Fishermen may find walleye, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, suckers and trout. The Monroe Run hiking trail and other trails are accessible from the state park. The adjacent Savage River State Forest has trails for multi-purpose use including snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

References

External links

Big Run State Park
Maryland Department of Natural Resources {{authority control State parks of Maryland State parks of the Appalachians Parks in Garrett County, Maryland Civilian Conservation Corps in Maryland IUCN Category III