Jennings Randolph Lake
RV Guide
Introduction
Uniquely situated between Garrett County in Maryland, and West Virginia's Mineral County, Jennings Randolph Lake is a beautiful US Army Corps of Engineers park that features about six miles of spectacular countryside on the banks of the Potomac River. This lake park, located on the boundary of West Virginia and Maryland, is well-known for its natural beauty and unspoiled wilderness.
As you visit this COE park, you’ll have lots of fun things to do. You could start by launching your boat or watercraft on to the lake to explore its various areas or angle for various fish species that call the park’s waters home. Alternatively, if you fancy exploring the park on foot, you can hike on any of the three short and easy trails that open up the park’s beautiful areas. Yet another common activity at the park is 3D archery, a sport open to both beginners and experts. Hunting is also open at the nearby wildlife management areas. Picnics are also very memorable at this US Army COE park. If you fancy swimming, the beach in the park is open for your pursuit. Nearby attractions include Monongahela National Forest, Big Run State Park, and Green Ridge State Forest.
Tent and RV camping are available at Jennings Randolph Lake within campsites equipped with electric hookups. Some of the campground amenities include shower houses, potable water, picnic tables, dump station, and horseshoe pits.
RV Rentals in Jennings Randolph Lake
Transportation
Driving
Jennings Randolph Lake, located on the boundary of West Virginia and Maryland, can be accessed via a network of highways, major and local access roads, making it easy for vacationers and visitors to drive to the park in their RVs, trailers and other motorized vehicles. Navigation within the park is also easy. Equipment rentals are available northeast of the park at Keyser.
Parking
Parking spaces are available for vacationers and visitors at and around Jennings Randolph Lake for RVs, trailers and cars. Overnight parking facilities are also available.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Jennings Randolph Lake.
Campgrounds and parking in Jennings Randolph Lake
Campsites in Jennings Randolph Lake
Reservations camping
Robert W. Craig Campground
Robert W. Craig Campground is a pet-friendly campground that consists of campsites that are open between May and September (peak season) and available by reservation. Recreational opportunities available at the campground include boating, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and nature observation.
There are 68 campsites within the campground, all equipped with electric hookups options for RVs and trailers. A host of amenities are present within the campground including shower houses, potable water, picnic tables, dump station, and horseshoe pits.
The RV/trailer length limit at the campground is 95 feet.
Seasonal activities in Jennings Randolph Lake
Off-Season
Swimming
Swimming is a must-do activity at Jennings Randolph Lake, especially on a hot summer day. The swimming beach in the park, Shaw Beach, is just perfect for cooling off and features a sunny grass area where you can sit and enjoy the view of the lake or read your favorite book.
Facilities available at the swimming beach include restrooms, change houses, parking lots, a playground, and water fountains. Picnic tables and a foot wash station are also present. Although lifeguards are not present at the beach, safety throw rings are made available when the beach is open.
Picnicking
Featuring a picnic area nestled into the rugged hillside within the park, Jennings Randolph Lake is a perfect setting for family picnics. Every picnicker at the park is treated to beautiful views of the lake as they enjoy their meal.
Just after lunch, there’s the chance to walk off the meal on the Lakeside Trail. There are lots of amenities available for use by picnickers, such as grills, picnic tables, potable water, comfort stations, and playground equipment. Horseshoe pits and a volleyball court are also available.
3D Archery
3D Archery is a sport that campers and visitors fancy at Jennings Randolph Lake, thanks to the numerous archery targets as well as several ADA accessible shooting lanes available in the park. Lovers of bowhunting and recreational target shooting make use of the meandering trails in the park that lead to the targets. What’s more, there are targets for beginners, as well as pros, so there’s room for all who wish to partake in the sport at the park. Bring your own bow.
In-Season
Hiking
The hiking trails at Jennings Randolph Lake present exciting adventures to RV campers and visitors who fancy strolling along the park’s areas. Opportunities to discover the park are offered along the High Timber Trail, Lakeside Trail, and Songbird Trail.
High Timber Trail is a self-guided trail that’s 0.75 miles long and ends at the campground. Lakeside Trail is of the same length and connects Shaw Beach and the Howell Run Picnic Area, offering fascinating views of the lake through the park’s vegetation. The 0.5-mile-long Songbird Trail follows a meandering creek and takes hikers along a gentle uphill climb of about 115 feet.
Fishing
Angling enthusiasts visit Jennings Randolph Lake for the excellent fishing opportunities that are available to all who possess the required licenses. There are numerous fish species present within the lake. However, the most commonly caught ones that occur in abundance include walleye, smallmouth bass, trout, catfish, and bluegill.
Opportunities to fish from the shore and on the lake are available at the park. A Maryland fishing license or West Virginia fishing license is required to fish at the park.
Boating
Two boat launch ramps are available at Jennings Randolph Lake for use by campers and visitors who wish to explore the waters. Boating and water skiing are the most popular watercraft-based activities at the park, even though other vessels are frequently used on the lake.
One of the boat ramps, the Howell Run Boat Launch, features a floating dock where boaters can temporarily load and unload their boats. Both boat launch ramps are equipped with large parking spaces and comfort stations.
