When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and wet, with the highest waterfall flow and muddy, slick trails.
Pack Waterproof boots, rain shell, and traction for wet rock.
Summer
Mild for the mid-Atlantic, with cool hemlock shade, busy weekends, and a day-use reservation in effect.
Pack Water shoes, sun protection, and a day-use reservation for weekends.
Fall
Crisp hiking weather and strong mountain color in the gorge.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp, and traction for leaf-covered trails.
Winter
Cold and snowy at elevation, with icy falls and reduced services.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited winter facilities.
Top things to do
Canyon Loop Trail
The signature loop past Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls, and Lower Swallow Falls along the Youghiogheny River.
Muddy Creek Falls
At 53 feet, the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland, reached by a short walk on the loop.
Old-growth hemlock grove
A stand of hemlock and white pine more than 300 years old, among the oldest forest in Maryland.
Anchor the day around Canyon Loop Trail
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in Swallow Falls State Park, make Canyon Loop Trail the non-negotiable, add Muddy Creek Falls only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Old-growth hemlock grove as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Canyon Loop Trail: The signature loop past Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls, and Lower Swallow Falls along the Youghiogheny River.
- 2Add Muddy Creek Falls: At 53 feet, the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland, reached by a short walk on the loop.
- 3Use Old-growth hemlock grove as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Swallow Falls's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Swallow Falls State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Swallow Falls State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Swallow Falls State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionTrail running shoes, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Swallow Falls
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Swallow Falls
The buying guides that match what Swallow Falls asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp inside the park if you can. Swallow Falls has 65 wooded campsites and a few cabins, with a two-night minimum on weekends. The Deep Creek Lake area nearby has the broadest lodging, food, and rental inventory in Garrett County for travelers who want a room or a lake base.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve a Swallow Falls campsite, and a summer weekend day-use slot.
Swallow Falls has 65 wooded campsites plus a few cabins, with a two-night weekend minimum. On summer and holiday weekends, day-use visitors also need an advance reservation in addition to the service fee.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Maryland routes campsites, cabins, and day-use reservations through the statewide Maryland State Parks reservation system.
- From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, an advance day-use reservation is required from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- Camping carries a two-night minimum on weekends and a three-night minimum over holiday weekends.
- A service fee applies. Confirm current day-use and camping fees at the official reservation site.
Where to book or verify
Official Maryland State Parks day-use reservation portal for summer weekends.
Official Maryland State Parks camping and cabin reservation system, or call 1-888-432-2267.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Tolliver and Garrett loop campgrounds
Details- Booking
- Reserve through the Maryland State Parks reservation system.
- Sites
- 65 wooded campsites set in clearings, plus a few cabins.
- Best first check for tent and small-RV campers near the falls.
Getting there and practical info
Treat the vehicle plan as part of the itinerary.
Road distance, road surface, fuel, and daylight can matter as much as the final trail or viewpoint.
Getting there
Get to Swallow Falls State Park, then make the road plan honest.
- Access rhythm
- Car required
- Region
- Maryland
Arrival note
Swallow Falls is in far western Maryland, in Garrett County about nine miles northwest of Oakland and close to Deep Creek Lake.
Car strategy
A car is essential, the roads in are rural and mountainous, and the park pairs naturally with a Deep Creek Lake stay or a trip across the line to Ohiopyle in Pennsylvania.
Pair this with lodging: the closest bed is not always the simplest one if road time, road quality, or fuel stops dominate.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Maryland's film office markets the state rather than permitting it; commercial shoots on Maryland Park Service land need a permit or right-of-entry agreement under DNR Policy 19-29.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to visit Swallow Falls State Park?
On summer and holiday weekends, yes. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, day-use visitors need an advance reservation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays, made at the Maryland State Parks day-use site. A service fee also applies.
How long is the trail to the waterfalls?
The Canyon Loop Trail is about 1.5 miles and passes Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls, and Lower Swallow Falls along the Youghiogheny River. Muddy Creek Falls, at 53 feet, is the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland.
Can you camp at Swallow Falls State Park?
Yes. The park has 65 wooded campsites and a few cabins, with a two-night minimum on weekends and a three-night minimum over holiday weekends. Camping reserves through the Maryland State Parks reservation system.