A River Runs Through It

While completing your Quest at Swallow Falls State Park you will enjoy the park’s scenic beauty and learn about the history and ecology of this unique area. This Quest will require you to hike over a trail that follows a wild and scenic river and to answer the questions that may be found at the end of this web page. This moderately difficult trail is narrow at some locations with a stairway climb at the end, and there are rocks and other trail hazards you will need to be aware of and prepare for. The trail is approximately 1.15 miles in length and will take about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. Along the way are trail signs and markers that will assist you in answering the questions that will help you understand why this area is so unique. Once you have finished your hike and answered all the questions, you can report to the Park Office and get your Passport stamped!

Adventure Information

This Quest may be completed any day of the week between 8 am and sunset, but weekends and holidays are the busiest times for the park. Remember to print out and bring with you the Quest Questions below! Park Quest participants may park at any Swallow Falls parking lot at no charge. When your Quest is complete, you must get your Passport stamped at the Park Office and Concession, which is located next to the main parking lot and is open daily. Pets are prohibited in the day use areas of the park during the summer, but are permitted, on a leash, during the off season. Please be sure to clean up after your pets.

As you traverse this area, you will be introduced to the Youghiogheny River. The word Youghiogheny is believed to be an Indian word meaning “the river that flows in a contrary direction.” It is so named because this river flows north, while most rivers and streams in Maryland flow east and south to the Chesapeake Bay and then into the Atlantic Ocean. The "Yough," as many people call it today, flows north into Pennsylvania to the Ohio River, which then flows to the Mississippi River and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico.

Directions to Swallow Falls State Park

Swallow Falls State Park is located in Garrett County.

• From MD Rt. 219 South, turn onto Mayhew Inn Road and go 4.1 miles to the intersection with Oakland-Sang Run Road. Make a left and go .03 miles to Swallow Falls Road and make a right. Follow this road about 2 miles to the entrance of the park and turn right.
• Make a reservation to stay at the park.

Starting at the main parking lot, take the trail to the falls at the end of the lot. Right at the trail head there is an information board that tells you about the area and some of the animal species that inhabit these woods. Write the names of three of the animals that interest you most.

1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________

Just past the information board and on your left, you will see a sign made from a log that describes the Youghiogheny Grove, a stand of old growth forest that is probably the last of its kind in the state. How many acres does the Grove cover?

__________________________________________

This sign also tells you more about the area you are in and some of the special measures that are taken to protect it. What is the name for this unique land?

S_____________________ M_________________________ A_____________

Walk about 25 yards and on the right is a sign that tells you about the open area in front of you and how the trees renew themselves. This is called:

F___________________________ R_____________________________

Walk to the fork in the trail and go left. A short distance ahead on your right is another information sign. This sign tells about the fallen giant that lays on the forest floor and what is going on around it. This break in the canopy is called a

F_________________________ G_______________

Continue following the trail and down the board walk ramp. At the bottom of the ramp go to your right and look for the sign that tells about a group of men who camped here in August 1918 and again in July 1921. Write the names of these four famous men who were referred to as “The Vagabonds.”

1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________

Before going any further, take the time to enjoy the beauty of Muddy Creek Falls from the overlook. At 65 feet, this is the tallest falls in the state of Maryland. The falls gets its name from the brown colored water that flows from the Cranesville Swamp a short distance upstream. Once you have enjoyed the view, continue to follow the trail to the top of the falls and then down the steps into the gorge. Follow the trail from the bottom of the steps ahead about 100 yards. Here, the water does something amazing, it changes direction! Actually, you are now seeing the wild and scenic Youghiogheny River. Continue following the trail towards Swallow Falls. At .4 of a mile there will be a sign on your right next to a park bench that tells about the towering giants of the forest. Why is it necessary for people to walk only on the trail through this area?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Continue along the trail and pass the lower and upper Swallow Falls. The falls get their name from the tall rock formation near the waters edge where it was common to see many Cliff Swallows nesting. After enjoying the view here, be sure to walk upstream a little further to see Tolliver Falls. How many falls are located in the park?

__________

Continue following the trail as it loops back around and heads to the main parking lot. Be sure to look for unusual plant life along the trail. Once back at the lot, check in at the Park Office to get your Park Quest Passport stamped. This building was once the Officers Quarters for the Civilian Conservation Corps that operated out of this area. The CCC was responsible for building and improving many of the parks in this area of the state. On the side of the building it tells you when this building was in use. What are the dates?

___________________ - _____________________

This concludes your Park Quest adventure at Swallow Creek Falls State Park. We hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back to visit us again soon!