Swallow Falls State Park
Encyclopedia
Swallow Falls State Park is a Maryland state park in Garrett County
Maryland
, in the United States
. Swallow Falls State Park is located nine miles (14 km) 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. The park contains Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls, a crashing 53 feet (16.2 m) waterfall that is 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.
, Henry Ford
and Harvey Firestone
would often camp at Muddy Creek Falls. "Just west of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, in Maryland’s Swallow Falls State Park, an ancient hemlock forest, moist and sensitive to fire, provides a chance to experience a cool, dark woodland, with deadfalls of centuries-old trees."
, and lantern
post on a stabilized pad. All camp sites are located near modern bathhouse
s with hot and cold water. Three of the sites have electric, water and sewer available. Hiking trails pass through a 39 acres (157,827.5 m²) patch of old growth forest
and by several waterfall
s including Muddy Creek Falls. 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 (6 km) south, offers a 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) lake with a swimming beach, boat rentals, fishing, 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.
Garrett County, Maryland
Garrett County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Maryland. Created from Allegany County, Maryland in 1872 it was the last Maryland county to be formed. It was named for John Work Garrett , railroad executive, industrialist, and financier. Garrett served as president of the Baltimore...
Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Swallow Falls State Park is located nine miles (14 km) north of Oakland, Maryland
Oakland, Maryland
Oakland is a town in the west-central part of Garrett County, Maryland, United States. With a population of 1,925 according to United States Census 2010 figures, it is the most populated community in Garrett County...
and contains some of Maryland's most breathtaking scenery. The Youghiogheny River
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
flows along the park's borders, passing through shaded rocky gorges and creating rippling rapids. The park contains Maryland's highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls, a crashing 53 feet (16.2 m) waterfall that is a spectacular sight. Tall hemlocks
Tsuga
Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock....
dominate the silent woods. The meandering trails through Swallow Falls guide hikers to some of the most breath-taking scenery in Western Maryland.
History
In the early 20th century, Thomas EdisonThomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
, Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
and Harvey Firestone
Harvey Firestone
Harvey Samuel Firestone was an American businessman, and the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global makers of automobile tires.-Family background:...
would often camp at Muddy Creek Falls. "Just west of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, in Maryland’s Swallow Falls State Park, an ancient hemlock forest, moist and sensitive to fire, provides a chance to experience a cool, dark woodland, with deadfalls of centuries-old trees."
Facilities
65 wooded camp sites with a fire ring, picnic tablePicnic table
A picnic table is a modified table with attached benches, designed for eating a meal outdoors .-Uses:...
, and lantern
Lantern
A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to illuminate broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as 'torches', or as general light sources outdoors . Low light level varieties are used for decoration. The term "lantern" is also used more generically to...
post on a stabilized pad. All camp sites are located near modern bathhouse
Public bathing
Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
s with hot and cold water. Three of the sites have electric, water and sewer available. Hiking trails pass through a 39 acres (157,827.5 m²) patch of old growth forest
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
and by several waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
s including Muddy Creek Falls. Take a trail map of the Garrett Trail System. Picnic area, pavilion
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
, playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
, 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
Herrington Manor State Park
Herrington Manor State Park is a Maryland State Park on in Garrett County, Maryland. The focal point of the park is a lake formed by the damming of Herrington Creek. Development of the park began in the 1930s as a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps...
, four miles (6 km) south, offers a 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) lake with a swimming beach, boat rentals, fishing, and a snack bar during the summer season. Pets are not permitted in the day use area from the Saturday before Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
through Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
. 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.
See also
- Youghiogheny RiverYoughiogheny RiverThe Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
- Herrington Manor State ParkHerrington Manor State ParkHerrington Manor State Park is a Maryland State Park on in Garrett County, Maryland. The focal point of the park is a lake formed by the damming of Herrington Creek. Development of the park began in the 1930s as a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps...
- adjacent state park managed in conjunction with Swallow Falls