Swallow Falls State Park, Maryland- 4 Wonderful Waterfalls in a short loop

It is wonderful to find a place that has a short loop hike which is about a mile and a half long and see new amazing waterfall at every turn.

The hike is short enough that you do not need to take a drink, snack, or anything else with you but your keys. But I would plan to spend several hours here so that you can take the side trails down to the water edge and find a rock to sit on and watch the waterfalls for a bit. In the summer, even bring a swim suit and water shoes.

The loop includes 4 different large waterfalls, several little stream waterfalls, rapids, wild life, and the sounds of nature. It is so peaceful here.

The park is open from dawn to dusk and charges per vehicle. Maryland state residents are $3 per vehicle or $5 out of state residents. A weekly pass is available for $30 in state and $40 for out of state. The admission include the following State Parks: Swallow Falls, Herrington Manor, New Germany, and Deep Creek Lake.

Herrington Manor adjacent to Swallow Falls State Park, New Germany is about 23 miles away, and Deep Creek Lake is about 9 miles away. I will be going back when the weather gets better to look at them. I didn’t have time as it was a last minute thing. But Maryland has 23 State Parks in some of America’s best wilderness that shows what the first settlers must have seen.

Parking area to Muddy Creek Falls

The parking area is small next to the beginning of the trail so I would show up first thing in the morning or you will have to hike down from the additional parking area. I showed up in March with ice on the ground so parking was not an issue…

The trail head leave no room to be missed. You can see it as you pass the rangers pay station and it is right next to the parking lot. As you enter the forest, you can smell the evergreen forest. It is like Christmas which is one of my favorite times of the year without the clean up.

The Youghiogheny Grove is the first thing that you see on the trail. The area is 37 acres of virgin Hemlock and White Pine. It is estimated to be over 300 years old and the last land of its kind in Maryland.

Just around the corner, you come to a sign which directs you to go left to get to Muddy Creek Falls or to the right to get to Swallow Falls. I went left but I think is the best route to go as you come up to all the waterfalls from the front. It makes them so much better to see.

The trail is well marked with lots of signs to get you back to the parking lot when you are done for the day.

They have a deck to view the falls from above and stairs down to the bottom of the falls and starts the trail that loops to all the Waterfalls in the park and back to the parking area.

The Muddy Creek Falls are 53 feet high. The sight is spectacular as you hear the water rushing down.

The top of the fall are open but it would be best not to get to close as they have a sign that states that several people have died in the area.

The stairs will take you to the trail loop at the bottom of the waterfalls.

I love how there is a split in the waterfall. You get the large amount of water coming down in the center but then the small amount coming down so that you can see the rocks behind the water.

Each time that you stop on the stairs or the around this part of the trail, you get a different view of the waterfall.

The trail is a bit rocky but over all very flat as you move along it but watch for roots and other items on the trail. Plus look for side trails as you can see better views of the area.

The rock wall is not for long but it nice. The rock wall is very neat in its own right.

There is a bit of rushing water that goes down to the river.

Before the trail heads to the right and out of sight of the waterfall look back. The waterfall is in the background but this is the stream that is heading down river with little waterfall like action on the right as they are going to the river.

As you go to the right, the trail starts to open up into more of a forest area with the river running beside it.

In just a short time, you have rapids on the left side of you and the forest on the right.

Then suddenly, you come upon another waterfall.

Upper and Lower Swallow Falls

As you are walking, the Lower Swallow Falls come into view.

The Lower Swallow Falls is very wide but not very tall. Possible 4 to 6 feet tall.

As you get closer, you can see the Upper Swallow Falls in the background.

The water is so clear that you can see the rocks below which I love to see.

To see the waterfall best, you have to leave the main trail and take a few of the side trails down to the water edge. They have lots of rocks to relax on and enjoy nature for a while.

As you go up the stairs, you can get a better look at the top of the Lower Swallow Falls and you get your first good look at the Upper Swallow Falls which is about 15 feet tall.

The right side of the Upper Swallow Falls goes straight down but the left side is more of a stair case. I watched as a kayaker came down the left side. I chatted with him for a moment and he is a local that does this all the time.

As you keep walking up the trail to the top of the falls. Note: Except for the steps, it is mostly a flat walk. Take in the natural beauty of the trees, waterfalls, and the song birds….

I love this little rock cropping that the water did not wear away through the years. It has a few trees and plants with no way to get to it. As much as I love the waterfalls, this was my favorite feature in the park.

At the top of the falls, you can move to the rocks because the water level is low but I am not so sure how safe that would be but you are right at the waterfalls edge.

The river above looks very calm until it comes around the bend and suddenly the falls come up. I think back to the pioneer days when this would have deadly for an explorers coming down river.

After enjoying the Upper Swallow Falls, I took the trail up to the final falls of the park.

Toliver Falls

The trail narrows a bit as you leave the Upper Swallow Falls but the park rangers are leaving the over 300 year old trees alone and have not taken them down to make a wider path.

I was only on this part of the trail for a short time when I came onto the turn with this little water feature cropping up in the front of the trail.

Then as you go to the right, the waterfall appears.

The waterfall is only about 5 feet tall but it has this little pond in front of it. I can just image in the summer that this park has a lot of people playing in the water as their are no signs that state that the water is hazardous or that you are not allowed to go in.

Once your done viewing the waterfall, the stone steps on the side will take you back up to the forest.

But not before you look back and watch the waterfall from the top.

The water that is come down to the waterfall is a great view as well. Lots of mini waterfalls. This little stream is actually goes up to the start of the park and through the trees you can see the road.

As you leave the last waterfall, you are back in the forest but can see the road that you drove into the park on your left side.

This park is great with signs showing you which way you want to go any time the trail splits.

The park also has lots of benches and rocks to sit on, take a rest, have a snack, and/or get a drink.

I love these little fern like trees. I am not sure what they are called but they remind me of a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

The trail leads you back to the parking lot. Overall this is just a great place to spend time and get back to nature. Every time you turn around while your on this little loop hike, your eyes have beauty in front of you which is different from the last turn you made.

Even the four waterfalls are completely different from the height and width to the amount of water that is cascading over them to the water flowing into the river to the colors of the water.

Additional items at the Park

The park also has a little museum which was closed when I went. At the top of the Muddy Creek Falls, was the camp site of Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, Harvey Firestone, John Burroughs, and their guest in August 1918 and again in July 1921.

They have lots of picnic tables and barbecues areas. A great places to set up for the day and enjoy the park.

They have a bit of playground equipment for the children. But the park also has Timber Rattlesnakes and Northern Copperhead. Watch where you walk and climb because snakes like rocks. But these snakes also do not really like humans so they generally stay away from areas with people in them.

Black Bears are also known to be in this area. Do not get close to them and make noise when you are hiking because they also avoid humans.

If you see a deer fawn hiding, just keep walking by. Deer will leave their fawns because they do not want to draw attention to them from predators. If you see a fawn that is hurt, contact the rangers so that they can take care of them.

Camping and Cabins for Maryland State Parks

Check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for cabins and/or camping sites at the any state parks listed above or any in the state of Maryland. Many camp sites are first come, first served but they recommend that you make reservations from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Sites can be different prices but are generally between $20 and $30 per night. The cabins run about the same as a hotel room but many have sleeping areas for at least 6 people, i.e. about $75 per night but with six people that is $12.50 per night per person. Each cabin is a different amount depending on what they have to offer, i.e. one or two bedrooms.