Savage River Lodge’s Final Chapter

After 25 years in business, Savage River Lodge will close by the end of the year with sale of the property to Maryland Department of Natural Resources

September 11, 2024

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved DNR’s purchase of the Savage River Lodge property. While we await further details on the future of this land from the Western Maryland region park system, Savage River Lodge is accepting reservations through November 21st. Please come see us soon, and toast the legacy that Mike and Jan are sharing with the citizens of Maryland!

Press Release from the Governor’s Office

July 26, 2024

Dear lodge lovers, friends & family—

In May we announced to our guests that we'd be riding off into the sunset and retiring on October 31st, but that the Lodge would still be here for you to enjoy.

After more than 30 years envisioning, creating, building, and operating the Savage River Lodge we began looking forward to a long-awaited retirement at 74 years young. 

As we begin that transition, we are now overwhelmed to announce that we have entered into an agreement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to purchase the property.

Once approved by the Board of Public Works, our private inholding will be the last puzzle piece to complete a contiguous tract of almost 800 acres of public land.

A legacy

The State's interest is testament to what we have built here at Savage River Lodge, with the invaluable contributions of our dedicated employees and the tens of thousands of guests we've welcomed over the years.

We are beyond proud to have created one of Maryland’s premier destinations, annually contributing millions to the local economy. But we can't possibly begin to quantify the innumerable priceless memories that have been made here — birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, engagements, weddings, countless other celebrations, and lots of simple reflection in this mountain sanctuary.

We dedicated our lives to create an incredible destination in the heart of Savage River State Forest and couldn’t have hoped for a better legacy. While it’s bittersweet that it won’t be Savage River Lodge anymore, no one else could continue stewarding this land and ensure public access is maintained for even more generations to enjoy than Maryland DNR.

Make a toast

The final sunset is just over the horizon. In late November, Savage River Lodge will retreat into the forest, ultimately re-emerging as its next incarnation from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. (When we have updates to share from them, we will let you know so you can continue to enjoy this special corner of the world!)

Please come share one last glass of chardonnay with us! We'll be uncorking many memories in the months to come. We cannot thank you enough for being part of our story and hope to share that with you in person.

Savage River Lodge is currently accepting reservations through November 21st.

With gratitude,

For more information

Please refer questions about DNR to Paul Peditto, Assistant Secretary of Land Resources. Reservation questions can be sent to our guest services team — email info@savageriverlodge.com, call 301.689.3200. Media inquiries for Savage River Lodge may be directed to elizabeth@fronterragroup.com.

Fronterra Resources, Savage River Lodge's management umbrella also owned by us, still maintains The Cornucopia Café restaurant, catering and event planning, Little Crossings Pantry & Grant's Mercantile boutique, and Casselman View Cottage vacation rental in nearby Grantsville.

A retirement celebration may be held later this fall.

A Brief History

• The Lodge opened in October 1999 with a village of 18 two-story 800 square foot log cabins.

• The 12,000 square foot main Lodge acts as a communal living room for the property, home to the restaurant, bar, multi-purpose event space, and expansive wrap-around decks.

• In May 2014 the resort added eight 30 foot diameter glamping yurts, among the first in the country to be fully plumbed and heated.

• In 2011, a 325 panel solar array was installed (the largest in Garrett County at the time) which came to supply approximately 65% of the property’s annual electricity demand.

• Connected to the array is one of the area’s first electric vehicle charging stations, installed in 2014.

• A 50-foot tower was constructed in 2019 in order to receive broadband internet for the first time in the still under-served region of northeastern Garrett County.

Savage River Lodge is known for its unique brand of rustic luxury, a mostly off-grid destination that doesn’t sacrifice the finer comforts. Numerous accolades include Booking.com's coolest place to stay in Maryland, commendations from the Maryland Office of Tourism, TripAdvisor, and Wine Spectator, and features in The Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, Country Living, The Washington Post, and many regional publications.

Potential acquisition by DNR is a full circle moment for the couple. After purchasing the land in 1992 they collaborated with DNR to add public trailhead access for an eventual 14 miles of trails that they constructed within the Forest. Savage River Lodge’s foundational principle is that there are few problems a walk in the woods cannot solve.

“We selected this wild 42 acre parcel, which at the time had no direct access into it, for the beauty and tranquility that exists here,” Russell explained. “We are so appreciative that for 25 years we’ve been able to share it with the public and our guests, experiencing all four seasons in the cabins and yurts, Lodge and restaurant, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.”

In spring of 2020 the Lodge donated 50 free stays to people supporting the pandemic in various ways. Dreisbach and Russell have individually supported numerous non-profit organizations in the area, among them Habitat for Humanity, Tri-County Council, Frostburg State University, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, and Garrett Trails. They manage their own non-profit fund providing support for veterinary expenses in honor of the Lodge's first mascot, their beloved dog Bodhi.

“Mike and I have been so privileged to be able to take our dream of creating a natural destination and turn it into a reality, gaining so many friends and family along the way,” says Russell. “As DNR figures out their plans for the property, we’re so thankful it’s going to an organization who will continue to showcase the beauty of this region for even more to enjoy.”