Swallow Falls State Park
Muddy Creek Falls and the Youghiogheny’s rocky gorge share a short but uneven forest loop in Maryland’s western mountains.
Artwork inspired by John Ross Key
At Swallow Falls, tall hemlocks make the gorge feel enclosed before the sound of falling water takes over. The Canyon Trail links several waterfalls through old-growth forest, with Muddy Creek Falls dropping free of a rock ledge into the ravine. The short distance disguises a landscape full of roots, steps, and close changes in elevation.
The Youghiogheny River gives the park its larger structure: shaded banks, rapids, and layered rock create a different atmosphere from the open water of nearby Deep Creek Lake. Walk slowly enough to distinguish the tributary waterfall from falls on the river itself. Rain and ice can make the same route considerably more demanding than its mileage suggests.
- Main drop
- Muddy Creek Falls, 53 feet
- Canyon loop
- 1¼ miles
- River
- Youghiogheny
Quick guide
- Check reservations
- Book a summer weekend or holiday day-use slot.
- Wear traction
- Expect wet rock, roots, and steps on the short loop.
Know before you go
- Follow the water
- Distinguish Muddy Creek’s drop from the main river falls.
- Study the canopy
- Old hemlocks create deep shade over the gorge.
- Stay back from edges
- Wet ledges and fast water make casual scrambling hazardous.
- Check the pet season
- The Canyon Trail excludes pets during the main summer season.
Good to know
The Canyon Trail’s mileage is short, but it is not a flat promenade. Ice, wet stone, and roots can make this a slow walk for an otherwise fit visitor.
Notice these
- Muddy Creek’s free fall
- Hemlock canopy
- Layered gorge rock