Deep Creek Lake State Park Announces A New Traffic Pattern For Boaters

Deep Creek, MD (May 10, 2010) — Deep Creek Lake State Park announces a new traffic pattern for boaters to use for direct access to the state park boat launch facilities. It is recommended that visitors towing boats or boat trailers go directly to the launch ramp access drive off of State Park Road (third left after crossing the Meadow Mountain Cove bridge) rather than entering the park at the day use gate.

“We have opened the launch ramp gate for 24-hour traffic, which we hope will relieve traffic congestion on State Park Road during the busy summer months,” said Ranger Mark Spurrier, assistant manager for the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area. “Boaters no longer have to pass through the picnic and beach area entrance just to launch their boat onto the lake for the day.”

In addition to the change of access, boaters will no longer pay the day use admission service charge, only the launch ramp service charge. There will be an employee at the ramp to collect the launch service charge and to answer questions.

“We feel it is a win/win situation,” said Spurrier. “The boaters will reach the launch ramp staging area faster and save a few dollars, and the beach visitors will not have to wait in boat traffic to enter the park.”

The service charge to launch a vessel remains at $10.00/vessel for Maryland residents and $11.00/vessel for out-of-state visitors. Boaters are encouraged to purchase a State Park Passport, an annual pass to all Maryland State Parks, if they frequently visit the lake. The passport may be purchased at any Maryland State Park or on-line at www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/

The park staff also reminds vacationers that unhitched boat trailers must be registered with the park before being dropped. Unregistered trailers will be towed at the owner’s expense if the owner cannot be located. Unhitched/dropped trailers occupy valuable parking spaces and may cause other visitors to be turned away. Vacationers are encouraged to plan ahead and determine where short-term trailer storage is available in the county. To unhitch a boat trailer and leave it on park grounds is illegal if park rangers are not aware of an emergency or situation that requires the trailer being left unattended.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov