It’s a great place to live or visit with your pet (especially your dog!)
Dog parks
Oakland Town Dog Park
27 Oakland Rosedale Road, Oakland, MD 21550
https://oaklandmd.com/dog-park.html
McHenry Community Park (operated by the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club)
1249 Bumble Bee Rd Accident MD 21520
https://deepcreeklions.org/service-programs/mchenry-community-park/
Pick up your dog waste!
County and Municipal areas
- 7 of the 8 incorporated municipalities have some form of walking path suitable for short walks (Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn, Mountain Lake Park and Oakland)
- County-owned recreational properties: Fork Run, McHenry Community Park and Casselman Soccer Fields
- Leashed, licensed and vaccinated dogs are not prohibited in any of these areas, to the best of my knowledge
- Use your best judgement and check before you go if possible
- Garrett County Animal Control Ordinance: https://www.garrettcounty.org/animal-shelter/animal-control-ordinance
State parks
- Big Run – camping
- Casselman River – not much for dogs
- Deep Creek Lake – camping, trails, swimming
- Herrington Manor – camping, trails, swimming
- New Germany – camping, trails, swimming
- Sang Run – trail
- Swallow Falls – trails, camping
- Wolf Den Run – camping, trails
Other State Land
- Savage River SF – Trails and camping throughout
- Potomac-Garrett SF – Trails and camping throughout
- Mt Nebo WMA trail
- Youghigheny NEA trail
State Park Pet Rules
- All pets must be licensed and have all required vaccinations, including a rabies vaccination.
- Pets must be leashed. Pets may be off-leash and under voice control while swimming in designated areas or hunting (with the appropriate permit).
- Pet owners must clean up after their pet. Waste disposal containers are available in most areas.
- Service animals are permitted in all pedestrian areas.
- Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in park buildings or playgrounds.
- Pet owners must obey all park signs that prohibit the entry of pets into specific areas.
- Excessive barking is not permitted in any park area, especially during campground “quiet hours” (10:00 p.m.- 7:00 a.m.).
- https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/pets.aspx
Federal recreation areas
- Jennings Randolph Lake
- MD side: boat ramp, shoreline fishing access and trail
- WV side: swimming beach and campground
- https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dams-Recreation/Jennings-Randolph-Lake/
- •Youghiogheny River Lake
- Both MD and PA sides have campgrounds and boat launches
- •I have only been able to find rules related to pets in the camping areas (allowed on leash) but nothing about pets in the other areas – use your best judgement
Swimming spots
- Deep Creek, Herrington Manor and New Germany Lakes (with the limitations per the table above
- Yough River and Jennings Randolph Lakes – not explicitly prohibited that I can find
- Yough, Potomac and Savage Rivers – there are some level sandy public access areas on these rivers, but I’d be reluctant to let my dog swim in them
- NO Swimming for dogs: Broadford Lake and probably Savage River Reservoir (humans are not allowed to swim there)
Good trails for dogs
- I like low traffic, wide straight (good visibility) trails when hiking with my dog:
- Mt Nebo
- Negro Mt
- Asa Durst
- Wallman and Laurel Run areas
- Also, trails that follow a stream or river can be nice
- Poplar Lick and Monroe Run trails
- Kendall trail
Local veterinarians
- Casselman Veterinary Services
- 377 Hemlock Dr, Grantsville, MD 21536
- http://www.casselmanveterinary.com/
- Bredel Veterinary Clinic
- 1265 Bumble Bee Rd, Accident, MD 21520
- http://www.hartforanimals.org/bredel-veterinary-clinic
- Countryside Animal Hospital
- 50 Weber Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
- https://countrysideah.com/
- Pineview Veterinary Hospital
- 85 Pineview Dr, Oakland, MD 21550
- https://pineviewveterinaryhospital.com/
- The closest 24-hr emergency vet I am aware of is:
- Cheat Lake Animal Hospital
- https://www.cheatlakevets.com/
