Free
Cranesville Swamp
A frost-pocket bog with a boardwalk on the Maryland–West Virginia line.
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Western Maryland
Deep Creek Lake
A mountain lake in Garrett County: Deep Creek Lake State Park, Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park, Wisp Resort's mountain coaster and whitewater course, and the old B&O station in Oakland.
Photo: Deep Creek Lake State Park, Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0
Deep Creek Lake is Maryland's largest inland body of water, a reservoir in the Allegheny Mountains with a long, winding shoreline. In summer the coves fill with boats and swimmers; in winter the slopes at Wisp fill with skiers.
Swallow Falls State Park is a short drive away, home to Muddy Creek Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland, beneath old hemlocks. In Oakland, a Queen Anne-style B&O railroad station tells the town's story.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Cheap
Deep Creek Lake State Park
A lakeside beach, trails and a discovery centre.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Cheap
Oakland B&O Museum
A restored Queen Anne-style railroad station in Oakland.
Paid
Wisp Resort
Skiing in winter, and a mountain coaster and whitewater course in summer.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Autumn Glory Festival
A fall festival in Oakland celebrating the colour season.
Free
Garrett County farmers' market
A seasonal market in Oakland.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Wisp Resort Experience
Part of our The Laurel Highlands and Deep Creek guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The lake and the falls are each a day.
- Mountain nights are cool even in summer.
- Fall colour in Garrett County is spectacular.
Nearby and worth the drive
Ohiopyleabout 60 min · Guide ↗
Waterfalls and whitewater.
Harpers Ferryabout 3 h · Guide ↗Where the rivers meet.
Ready-made trips with Deep Creek Lake
Good to know
- Parks: Maryland Park Service.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Deep Creek Lake State Park, Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls State Park, TheTurducken, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Cranesville Swamp boardwalk, Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Savage River from Allegany Bridge, Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Oakland B&O Station, jpmueller99, CC BY 2.0