New Germany State Park Beach
Grantsville, MD
New Germany's small lake sits between Big Savage Mountain and Meadow Mountain in the far western corner of Garrett County, about as close to a genuine mountain hideaway as Maryland gets. The swimming beach here is modest by design, built for fishing, paddling, and a quiet dip rather than a crowd.
The quietest of the three Garrett County lake beaches, good for that reason alone, though it's genuinely small and short on amenities compared to its neighbors.
How we score beachesThis is the quietest of Garrett County's three lake beaches, worth the extra few minutes' drive if Deep Creek or Herrington Manor feel too busy.
A lot at 349 Headquarters Lane serves the beach, with a day-use fee collected at the gate.
A short, flat walk from the lot to the small sandy beach.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the day-use area and lake, except on the sandy portion of the swimming beach from Memorial Day until after Labor Day.
The park operates 8am to sunset, with water comfortable for swimming by mid summer. Garrett County's mountain winters bring genuine snow, a different climate entirely from the rest of Maryland's beaches.
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