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Deep Creek Field Guide

State parks · Oakland

Swallow Falls

State park · 257 acres

Reservation required
When
23 May 2026 – Labor Day 2026
Which days
Every day, not just weekends
Booking opens
Opens 7 days before the visit

Swallow Falls is stricter than the rest of the Maryland system. Most participating parks require a day-use reservation on weekends and holidays only; Swallow Falls requires one EVERY DAY across the whole summer window.

Muddy Creek Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Maryland at 53 feet, and the mile-long loop past it runs through a stand of old-growth hemlock and white pine — some of it over 300 years old, the last of its kind in the state. It is the most visited park in Garrett County and the reason the reservation system exists.

What's there

Facilities

7/9 confirmed
Waterfall
Yes
Swimming
No
Camping
Yes
Cabins
Not confirmed
Trails
Yes
Boat launch
No
Fishing
Yes
Winter use
Yes
Pets
Not confirmed

Getting in

Fee
Regular day-use fee, paid at the time of reservation. The amount is not stated in the county announcement and is still to be confirmed.
Hours
Not confirmed
Park office
Not confirmed

Still to confirm

Listed openly rather than hidden, because a gap you can see is worth more than a gap you can't.

  • PRIORITY: confirm the day-use fee amount — the county announcement says a fee is charged at booking but does not give the figure.
  • Resolve a source conflict: DNR's own reservation page implies same-day booking is possible when a park is under capacity; the county announcement does not mention same-day at all. Do not publish either until the park confirms.
  • Confirm what actually happens on arrival without a reservation — turned away, or waitlisted?
  • Confirm whether the requirement covers the campground and cabin guests or day-use only.
  • Confirm pet rules — Maryland restricts pets at many day-use areas and this is unchecked.
  • Confirm winter access and whether the road to the falls is maintained.

The other parks