Wills Mountain State Park
Maryland’s Undeveloped Mountain Preserve — State Park Under Development, Panoramic Allegheny Ridge Views, Future Trail Network, Wildlife Habitat Near Cumberland
Wills Mountain State Park is an undeveloped state park on the northwest edge of Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland. The park features a mountaintop preserve along the Allegheny Ridge, panoramic views of Cumberland and the Potomac Valley, native Appalachian forest and wildlife habitat, ongoing land acquisition for future public access, and management through nearby Rocky Gap State Park.
Wills Mountain State Park is one of Maryland’s newest and most ambitious state park projects — a preserve along the Allegheny Ridge overlooking Cumberland that is still in the early stages of development. As of 2026, the park has no public access roads, no parking, no maintained trails, and no visitor facilities. The state has been actively acquiring land (including key parcels in 2024) to create future access points and trail connections. Once developed, the park is expected to offer panoramic views of the Potomac Valley, Cumberland, and the surrounding Appalachian ridges, along with hiking trails through native mountain forest. Until then, the property is managed through Rocky Gap State Park and is not officially open to the public.
Future Plans
Planned Features (Under Development)
- Hiking trail network: Future trails along Allegheny Ridge
- Panoramic overlooks: Views of Cumberland, Potomac Valley, and surrounding ridges
- Public access road and parking
- Connection to regional trail systems
Current Wildlife
- Native Appalachian forest habitat
- White-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey
- Raptors and migratory songbirds
- Undisturbed mountain ecosystem
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Undeveloped state park — NOT yet open to public |
| Location | NW edge of Cumberland, Allegany County, MD |
| Ridge | Allegheny Ridge — Appalachian Mountains |
| Status | Under development — active land acquisition |
| Public Access | NONE — no roads, parking, or trails yet |
| Facilities | NONE |
| Management | Rocky Gap State Park (Maryland DNR) |
| Coordinates | 39.6686° N, 78.7817° W |
| Contact | Maryland DNR or Rocky Gap State Park |
Current Status & Timeline
| Status | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Land Acquisition | Ongoing — key parcels acquired in 2024 | State is building contiguous access corridor |
| Access | NOT open to public — surrounded by private land | Do NOT attempt to access without authorization |
| Trail Development | Future — planning phase | Expected to connect to regional trail network |
| Opening Date | TBD — no official date announced | Contact Maryland DNR for updates |
Visitor Tips
- NOT open to the public: As of 2026, Wills Mountain State Park has no public access. The property is surrounded by private land and has no entry roads, parking, or trails.
- Do not trespass: Accessing the property without authorization may constitute trespassing on private land surrounding the park.
- Contact Maryland DNR: For updates on development progress and future opening, contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or Rocky Gap State Park.
- Nearby alternatives: Visit Rocky Gap State Park (12 miles east) for developed hiking, swimming, and camping along Lake Habeeb in the Appalachian ridges.
- Future potential: Once developed, Wills Mountain is expected to offer some of the most dramatic ridgetop views in western Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wills Mountain State Park open to the public?
No — as of 2026, Wills Mountain State Park near Cumberland, Maryland, is not open to the public. The park is an undeveloped preserve along the Allegheny Ridge with no public access roads, parking, maintained trails, or visitor facilities. The state has been actively acquiring land to create future access, including key parcels purchased in 2024. The park is managed through Rocky Gap State Park. For updates on development and future opening, contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Rocky Gap State Park (12 miles east) offers developed hiking, swimming, and camping in the meantime.
Last updated: May 2026
