Swallow Falls State Park |
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Swallow Falls State Park |
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This mountain park is located nine miles north of Oakland, Maryland and contains some of Maryland's most breathtaking scenery. The Youghiogheny River flows along the park's borders, passing through shaded rocky gorges and creating rippling rapids. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 53-foot waterfall – a spectacular sight. Tall hemlocks dominate the silent woods. The meandering trails through Swallow Falls guide hikers to some of the most breath-taking scenery in Western Maryland.
Features:
Sixty-five (65) wooded campsites with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post on a stabilized pad. All camp sites are located near modern bath houses with hot and cold water. Three of the sites have electric, water and sewer available.Hiking trails through an old growth forest pass by several waterfalls including Muddy Creek Falls, the highest waterfall in Maryland. Take a trail map of the Garrett Trail System.
Picnic area, pavilion, playground, nature programs during the summer, and the wild and scenic Youghiogheny River can all be found at Swallow Falls State Park. Nearby Herrington Manor State Park, four miles south, offers a 53 acre lake with a swimming beach, boat rentals, and a snack bar during the summer season.
Pets are not permitted in the day use area from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pets are permitted in the surrounding areas of Potomac/Garrett State Forests. Pet campsites are available. During the off-season pets are permitted in the day use areas provided they are kept on a leash. Pet owners must clean up after their pets.
Swallow Falls State Park offers accessible campsites, picnic areas and two camp loop bathhouses. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
SELF-GUIDED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
CAMPGROUND NIGHTLY RATES AND RESERVATIONS
Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.Three youth group sites are available during the camping season. Site reservations are $15. There is an additional charge of $2 per person, per night for groups without a Maryland State Park Youth Group Pass. Information and an application for a youth group pass can be obtained at the park office.
Reservations:
** All dates and prices subject to change without notice.
- Mid April until the Wednesday before Memorial – all sites are first-come, first-served.
- The Tuesday after Labor Day until mid October – all sites are first-come, first-served.
- Mid October until mid December – first-come, first-served (primitive camping only, no restroom facilities available)
- Wednesday before Memorial Day until Labor Day Monday reservations are strongly recommended and may be made by calling 1-888-432-2267. Walk-in’s are welcome depending on availability.
- Camper Cabins – Reservations are required for all three camper cabins from mid April until mid December. Contact the park office, 301-334-9180, prior to arrival for the combination to the cabin.
CAMPGROUND RULES
There is a two night minimum stay for weekends and a three night minimum stay for holiday weekends.Campsite occupancy is limited to a maximum of six people, at least one of which must be 18 years of age or older.
The number of tents/trailers permitted on each site depends on the size of the campsite pad. All camping equipment must remain on the campsite pad.
Each campsite is limited to no more than two vehicles. Overflow parking is available nearby. All vehicles must remain on the paved or gravel surface.
Check-in is 3 p.m. Check-in must be done before 10 p.m. Check-out is 12 p.m.
Quiet hours are enforced between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only self-contained generators are allowed. They may not be operated after 11 p.m.
Visitors must pay the day use entrance service charge and vacate the campground by 11 p.m.
Campfires are permitted in the fire ring only. Please do not leave fires unattended. Firewood is sold at the park. Wood may not be removed from the sensitive management area.
Alcohol must remain at the campsite and is not permitted on the trails or parking areas.
Pets are permitted and must remain on a leash and under control at all times. They are not permitted in the day use area or on the trails between the Saturday before Memorial Day and Labor Day.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION:
16' = maximum length of trailer
- Site #1, 18', outer loop
- Site #2, 30', inner loop
- Site #3, 18', outer loop
- Site #4, 27', inner loop (disabled accessible site)
- Site #5, 30', outer loop
- Site #6, 36', outer loop
- Site #7, 30', outer loop
- Site #8, tent site (no trailers), outer loop
- Site #9, 30', outer loop
- Site #10, tent site (no trailers), outer loop
- Site #11, 30', outer loop
- Site #12, tent site (no trailers), outer loop
- Site #13, 30', outer loop
- Site #14, 16', outer loop
- Site #15, 30', inner loop
- Site #16, 16', outer loop
- Site #17, 12', inner loop
- Site #18, 16', outer loop
- Site #19, tent site (no trailers), inner loop
- Site #20, 16', outer loop
- Site #21, tent site (no trailers), inner loop
- Site #22, 20', outer loop
- Site #23, tent site (no trailers), inner loop
- Site #24, 20, outer loop
- Site #25, 20', inner loop
- Site #26, 16', outer loop
- Site #27, 30', inner loop
- Site #28, 16', outer loop
- Site #29, 16', inner loop
- Site #30, 16', outer loop
- Site #31, 16', inner loop
- Site #32, 20', outer loop
- Site #33, tent site (no trailers), outer loop
- Site #34, 16', outer loop
- Site #35, 30', outer loop
- Site #36, 12', outer loop
- Site #37, 24', outer loop
- Site #38, 12', outer loop
- Site #39, 16', outer loop
- Site #40, 24', electric/water/sewer, inner loop
- Site #41, 16', outer loop
- Site #42, 20', electric/water/sewer, inner loop
- Site #42A, 24', electric/water/sewer, inner loop
- Site #43, 20', outer loop
- Site #44, 16', inner loop
- Site #45, 12', outer loop
- Site #46, tent site (no trailers), inner loop
- Site #47, 12', outer loop
- Site #48, 16', inner loop
- Site #49, tent site (no trailers), outer loop
- Site #50, tent site (no trailers), inner loop
- Site #51, 12', outer loop
- Site #52, 12', inner loop
- Site #53, 12', outer loop
- Site #54, camper cabin
- Site #55, 20', outer loop
- Site #56, camper cabin
- Site #57, 12', outer loop
- Site #58, camper cabin
- Site #59, 24', outer loop
- Site #60, 24', inner loop (disabled accessible site)
- Site #61, 16', outer loop
- Site #62, 12', inner loop
- Site #63, 16', outer loop
- Site #64, 16', outer loop
Inner loop (closer to the bathhouse)
Maryland Conservation Corps
Swallow Falls State Park is supported by a Maryland Conservation Corps Program. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages young adults, ages 17-25, who want to dedicate a year of service to natural resource conservation. Over a ten to 11-month period, MCC members work as crews to complete 1,700 hours of service. Conservation service activities include: trail maintenance, environmental education, stream & wetland restoration, park facility improvements, invasive species removal and Bay grass planting. Extensive member training is provided, including: First Responder certification, Wildland Fire Fighting certification, Search and Rescue certification, Park Operations, Environmental Education and Interpretation, Chainsaw Safety, Leave No Trace and Canoe Trip Leading.No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete $1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.
For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/yearround.htm
DIRECTIONS TO HERRINGTON MANOR/SWALLOW FALLS STATE PARKS
- From Baltimore: 3 ˝ hours
From Route 70 west to Hancock, Maryland and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 west to exit 14 at Keysers Ridge and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.- From Washington: 3 ˝ hours
Follow Rt. 270 west to Frederick and Rt. 70. From Route 70 west to Hancock, Maryland and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 west to exit 14 at Keysers Ridge and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.- From Morgantown, West Virginia: 2 hours
Follow Rt. 68 east to exit 14 and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.- From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 2 ˝ hours
Follow Rt. 79 south to Morgantown, West Virginia and Rt. 68. Follow Rt. 68 east to exit 14 and Rt. 219. Follow Rt. 219 south 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (2 miles past Deep Creek). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Road, travel 0.3 miles to first road on the right which will be Swallow Falls Road. Turn right onto Swallow Falls Road and travel 1.3 miles to Swallow Falls State Park, or 4.5 miles further to Herrington Manor State Park.
Swallow Falls State Park
c/o
Herrington Manor State Park
222 Herrington Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
(301)387-6938
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations
Click here to make reservations on-line for Swallow Falls State Park.
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Updated on September 17, 2009 Top Photograph by Kenneth Hartman
