State park featuring Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall, the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, as well as smaller waterfalls on the Youghiogheny River and Tolivar Creek
General Information
Open year-round
Maryland residents: $3 per person
Out-of-state visitors: $5 per person
All other times:
Maryland residents: $3 per vehicle
Out-of-state visitors: $5 per vehicle
How to Get There
From Oakland, MD (9 mi): Take MD-135 W/Oak St and continue onto Oakland Sang Run Road, turn right onto Swallow Falls Road, then continue to the entrance of Swallow Falls State Park at 2470 Maple Glade Road.
Overview
Swallow Falls State Park is a public recreation area located on the west bank of the Youghiogheny River nine miles (14 km) northwest of Oakland in Garrett County, Maryland. The state park features Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall, the 53-foot (16 m) Muddy Creek Falls, as well as smaller waterfalls on the Youghiogheny River and Tolivar Creek. The park is notable for its stand of old hemlock trees, some more than 300 years old, "the last stand of its kind in Maryland."
Things to Do
Visit Maryland's Most Spectacular Waterfalls
Swallow Falls State Park is one of Maryland's most scenic natural destinations, famous for its beautiful waterfalls, old-growth forest, and rugged mountain landscapes. Located near Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, the park features some of the state's most impressive waterfalls and attracts visitors year-round for hiking, photography, and outdoor recreation.
See Muddy Creek Falls
The park's signature attraction is Muddy Creek Falls, a magnificent 53-foot waterfall that is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Maryland. The falls can be viewed from accessible overlooks and provide excellent opportunities for photography and nature appreciation.
Explore Ancient Hemlock Forests
Swallow Falls State Park protects one of Maryland's last remaining old-growth hemlock forests. Some trees within the park are more than 300 years old, creating a unique and peaceful environment that transports visitors to a pre-colonial forest landscape.
Enjoy Outdoor Recreation
Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, picnicking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, and photography. The park's proximity to Deep Creek Lake makes it an excellent addition to any western Maryland outdoor adventure.
Observe Wildlife and Mountain Streams
The park's forests and waterways provide habitat for white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, songbirds, salamanders, and native trout. The scenic river corridors and waterfalls offer exceptional opportunities for nature observation throughout the year.
Top Trails
Swallow Falls Canyon Trail
Length: Approximately 1.25 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This popular trail follows the Youghiogheny River and connects the park's major waterfalls, including Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls, and Tolliver Falls. Visitors enjoy dramatic scenery, old-growth forest, river views, and some of the best waterfall photography opportunities in Maryland.
Muddy Creek Falls Trail
Length: Approximately 0.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
This short, accessible trail leads directly to overlooks of Muddy Creek Falls. It is ideal for families and visitors seeking spectacular scenery with minimal hiking effort.
Tolliver Falls Spur Trail
Length: Approximately 0.3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
A brief side trail from the main loop provides access to picturesque Tolliver Falls, a smaller but beautiful waterfall surrounded by moss-covered rocks and forest vegetation.
Youghiogheny River Trail Connections
Length: Variable distances available
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Additional trails connect visitors to scenic sections of the Youghiogheny River corridor and nearby recreation areas. These routes provide opportunities for longer hikes, wildlife viewing, and exploration of western Maryland's mountain landscapes.
Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources official Swallow Falls State Park information, including details on Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls, old-growth hemlock forests, hiking trails, camping, fishing, and recreational opportunities. https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/swallowfalls.aspx
Additional trail and visitor information verified through Maryland Park Service resources covering the Swallow Falls Canyon Trail, Muddy Creek Falls, Tolliver Falls, and the Youghiogheny River corridor.
History
The park had its beginnings in 1906 with the donation by John and Robert Garrett of Baltimore of 1,917 acres (776 ha) to be used as a state forest. The land now known as Garrett State Forest included the areas that became Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor state parks, both of which were developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The park contains 65 campsites, a picnic area with a pavilion and playground, as well as a mile-long hiking trail through the old growth forest. A 5.5-mile (8.9 km) trail for hiking and mountain biking connects the state park with Herrington Manor State Park.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Swallow Falls State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
