Swallow Falls State Park is the best
single-trail park in Maryland. The Falls Trail is easy
going for your dog through the river canyon under cool, dark
hemlocks. The grove of giant white pines and hemlocks is the
oldest in Maryland - some trees are estimated to be 360 years
old. Philanthropist Henry Krug refused to allow the trees to
be logged in the gorge and when a World War I plan to dam the
Youghiogheny River fell through their suvival was assured.
Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's highest
single water plunge at 53 feet, arrives quickly on your canine
hike and shortly you arrive at the confluence of Muddy Creek
and the Youghiogheny River. At the Upper Falls on the Youghiogheny
River you will find the source of the park name: a rock pillar
where cliff swallows once nested by the hundreds. America's most
famous car campers of the early 20th century - industrialists
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped here at
Muddy Creek Falls and during the Depression the Civilian Conservation
Corps created the campsite enjoyed by thousands today.
Directions to Swallow Falls State
Park:
From I-68 take Exit 14 at Keysers Ridge and go south on Route
219 for 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 and travel 1.3 miles to the park.
Visit the Swallow Falls website
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