Two miles of ocean beach beside them, and no trucks or vehicles allowed on that beach at all
When the calendar allows a gathering
The windows are narrow and set by other people. Assateague’s nesting closure can run from 15 March to the end of August or later, deer firearms seasons close the island’s backcountry sites across late October, November, December and early January, and state park camping demands two-night minimums through summer and three over holiday weekends.
That leaves early spring in the western forests and the weeks either side of the summer closures on the coast. Group camping exists for it: Green Ridge reserves group sites for parties of 20 or more, and Savage River keeps the Bear Pen site off Savage River Road by reservation.
The large expos combine a vendor show, classes and a campground full of real vehicles. Rallies and brand gatherings are smaller and more social. Training weekends and club runs are where you actually drive.
Getting the most from one
The vendor hall is the least useful part.
01Take the classes. They are the best value at any expo.
02Walk the camping area. Owners will tell you what they would do differently.
03Talk to builders in person, and look closely at their work.
04Book camping early. It sells out before day tickets do.
For organizers
List the event with its dates, location, what it costs to attend and a link to register. We will add it to the directory and to the state it happens in.
Questions people ask
Are events worth it for beginners?
They are the quickest education available: a weekend of classes, hundreds of vehicles to look at, and owners who will happily tell you what they would do differently.
How do I add an event?
Use the List your business form and choose Events. Include the dates, the location and a link.
How high is Maryland?
From Snow Hill at 16 feet to Hoye Crest at 3,360.
Altitude decides what your engine, your brakes and your lungs have to work with, and how late in the year the passes open.
02,0004,000
Feet above sea level
Towns
McHenryDeep Creek Lake services, and where an ORV permit is sold2,482 ft
OaklandGarrett County seat, and the way in to Potomac-Garrett State Forest2,404 ft
GrantsvilleSavage River State Forest headquarters is two miles down New Germany Road2,309 ft
FrostburgOn the old National Road between the plateau and Cumberland2,063 ft
FriendsvilleThe northern Youghiogheny, near the Mill Run campground1,500 ft
FlintstoneGreen Ridge State Forest headquarters, where campsites are registered814 ft
CumberlandThe western end of the canal towpath and the last full-service city624 ft
HagerstownTires, parts and freight-road access for the whole Potomac valley542 ft
ThurmontThe gateway to Catoctin Mountain Park and its firewood rule519 ft
HancockThe narrowest point of the state, between the canal and the Pennsylvania line446 ft
SharpsburgAntietam and the Snyders Landing stretch of the canal418 ft
FrederickThe last big supply stop before the mountains going west283 ft
BerlinThe mainland town before the Assateague bridge and the sand permit36 ft
SalisburyThe service centre of the lower Eastern Shore26 ft
CambridgeBlackwater refuge and the Wildlife Drive are south of here18 ft
Snow HillPocomoke State Forest and the cypress swamp country16 ft
Passes, high roads and summits
Hoye CrestThe state high point, on the crest of Backbone Mountain in Garrett County. The USGS published figure; our own reading of the elevation surface at its map point gives 3,3683,360 ft
Meadow MountainOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point. Its 12-mile trail carries the four-mile section open to off-road vehicles3,033 ft
East Shale Road, Meadow Mountain TrailThe I-68 corridor to New Germany Road, Savage River State Forest3,033 ft
Big Savage MountainOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point, above Savage River State Forest2,970 ft
Dans MountainOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point, in Allegany County2,892 ft
Margraff PlantationMargraff Plantation, Savage River State Forest2,800 ft
Town HillOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point. The Green Ridge driving tour passes its 1931 fire tower2,029 ft
Catoctin MountainOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point, in Frederick County1,877 ft
Green RidgeOur own reading of the elevation surface at its map point, the ridge the state forest is named for1,424 ft
Pass, road and summit elevations are the figures published by the agency that manages them. Town elevations are the town’s or county’s own
figure where it publishes an exact one; the rest are from the U.S. Geological Survey (3D Elevation Program at the place’s official coordinates),
retrieved September 18, 2026. Every source is listed at the foot of the page.
