Home of the Chesapeake Bay with its bounty of clams, crabs and oysters. One of the first areas to be settled by European explorers. Maryland and its neighbors (Pennsylvania and Virginia) are the heart of early Colonial America. Maryland being ceded to Lord Baltimore in 1632.

Baltimore's deep water port quickly grew to become one of the four largest harbors and manufacturing centers on the East Coast that included Baltimore, New York, Newport, and Boston. Port status that led to the construction of Fort McHenry to guard Baltimore against a sea attack. During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry successfully accomplished its mission by repelling the British invasion of Baltimore after Washington D.C. was occupied and burned. With skies aglow, Fort McHenry's bombardment inspired Francis Scott Key to compose our National Anthem.

MD, Baltimore Harbor's Tall Ships (historic 1890 photo)

Today Maryland has a vibrant economy with the nation's sixth highest personal income at $28,670. A large percentage of which comes from residents who are employed by the federal government in Washington D.C. So close is Maryland's link to Washington D.C. that the Census Bureau has recently combined the Baltimore and the Washington D.C. area into the 4th largest metropolitan region in the U.S. containing 90% of Maryland's population (only exceeded by Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago respectively).

On the outskirts of this huge metropolis are numerous dairy and poultry farms which occupy the eastern and central portions of the state. While the Chesapeake Bay lies in the center of Maryland. Headquarters for its crab, clams, and oyster fisheries. An industry on the decline with a dramatic decrease in shellfish population during the last decade.

Maryland has no National Parks or National Forests but the state maintains 47 State Parks (18 with campgrounds) and 2 State Forests (Savage and Green Ridge). Perhaps the most scenic wilderness campground is the Rocky Gap State Park off I-68 (exit 50) in upper Northwest Maryland. It has a beautiful 240 acre mountain lake with a large beach, showers, and 278 wooded campsites ($16-$20). The park is surrounded by mountains, steep cliffs, and a dense hemlock forest. Reservations are recommended in the busy summer season when the campground is usually full. Some of the most spacious and shady sites at Rocky Gap are # 10, 99, 134, 188, 225, 232, 237. Lakefront sites include # 256, 258, 260.

Deep Creek Lake State Park is another alluring State Park that contains 115 campsites and borders the 12 mile long, 3,900 acre Deep Creek Lake. Maryland's largest lake which offers superb water sports activities. Gambrill State Park is a small (35 site) wooded campground that is located 6 miles west of Fredrick on US 40. Its main attractions are its overlooks and close proximity to Baltimore and Washington D.C. The closest State Park to either city. A good stopover to take care of items such as shopping and vehicle maintenance before moving on to more remote and scenic areas. Fishing licenses are required for fishing on freshwater and tidal waters. Maryland State Parks, (410) 974-3683. Rocky Gap State Park, (301) 777-2138. Deep Creek Lake State Park, (301) 387-5563. Gambrill State Park, (301) 791-4767. State Parks located in the highlands beyond Maryland's renowned crabs and oysters.