Living in Maryland my whole life, I think I was breaking some kind of rule because I had never been to Deep Creek Lake. For the outdoorsy types, it’s the ultimate vacation destination for Marylanders. It felt strange that had never been there. So this summer I made it a goal to visit the area and hike at Swallow Falls State Park.
First of all, the drive out there from Baltimore was gorgeous- rolling hills, vast views, farmland and mountains in the distance. The closer I got to Swallow Falls, the more concerned I got with the lack of cell service. But as I turned the corner, I saw that beacon of the Maryland flag and the state park sign. I was relieved to have found the park without getting lost.
The parking lot has plenty of room, clean bathrooms and even had a popcorn truck. The camping area is to the right and the trails are to the left. I was blown away by the beautiful tall trees and greenery.
The main trail to the falls is Canyon Trail, a 1.1 mile loop. The trail was clearly marked and well maintained. Beautifully edged stairs made of wood and stones led the way to the roaring waterfall below. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw the Falls. They are breathtaking to say the least. There are 2 sections of Swallow Falls, Upper and Lower Falls, with multiple entry points to the water. Swimming is allowed wherever you feel like hopping in. I saw families swimming in the lower falls, I saw adults jumping from the cliffs, and I saw small kids wading in the shoreline. There are also lots of large rocks suitable for sunbathing, or picnics.
How to Spend the Day
I quickly picked a shady spot and dropped my bag. I scooted into the water towards the falls. The depth of the river surprised me, I couldn’t touch the bottom. When swimming closer to the Falls, the rapidly moving water pushed you away. You really need to be a strong swimmer to get close to the falling water. I floated on my back, watching people jump from cliffs into the crisp water. I could see the sunlight beaming through the trees and bouncing off of the water. The trees were saturated with the most beautiful shades of green.
I crawled out carefully, avoiding slipping on the rocks. I dried off, got dressed and continued my hike on the Canyon Trail. Further down the shore the river flattened out, There were still so many rocks to walk on in the water. I rock-hopped into the river and had a peaceful lunch on the widest rock I saw.
This park blew me away with its peacefulness and beauty. I highly recommend visiting.
Things to note:
- Bathrooms: Bathrooms were surprisingly clean and fully equipped with plumbing
- What I wore: I wore a bathing suit under a tank top and quick-dry shorts. I hiked in my hiking boots, but I bought a pair of flip flops for when I was wet. They really came in handy. I also brought a towel.
- Cell service: Spotty
- Parking: There was plenty of parking at 1PM on a Saturday in July
- Cost: $3 per person for Maryland residents and $5 per person for out of state residents
- Drive time from Baltimore: 3 hours
- Drive time from DC: 3 hours
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