happyly approved

Swallow Falls State Park

2470 Maple Glade Road Oakland MD 21550

Daily, 8:00 AM-Sunset

$$

camping, road-trips, hikes

A destination-focused family hike in a beautiful setting at Swallow Falls State Park.

Swallow Falls State Park is a must-see in western Maryland. The area was brought to fame by a 1921 visit from Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone and has been delighting visitors ever since!

Swallow Falls is one of our all-time favorite hikes. The total hiking loop is only 1 ¼ miles and will take you past three different waterfalls including the highest waterfall in Maryland, Muddy Creek Falls. The trails are easily traversed and wind through some rather spectacular old-growth pine forests. Even the most reluctant hikers will love seeing the falls and dipping their toes in the rivers beneath! The trails are best suited for babywearing as you have to go up and down steps to reach the falls area.

The park also has a camping site. The camping loops are fairly small and cabins are also offered. RV hook-ups are available at a limited number of sites.

You can expect to drive about three hours if you’re traveling to Swallow Falls from Baltimore or Washington.

Features

Good for All Ages Hiking Trails Waterfall Camping

Thoughtfully captured by:

Katie Raspa

Our work in Baltimore is truly a family affair. Husband and wife, Matt and Katie, work together to head up our ambassador team in Charm City. Katie is a Maryland native and has lived in the state her whole life. She moved to Baltimore in 2007 after graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She has been working in the field of early childhood education as a teacher and family coach for the past 12 years. Katie also holds a Masters of Education in Literacy from Loyola University. She is passionate about giving kids and families the knowledge and tools that they need to thrive. Matt grew up in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore. As a city native, Matt is a great resource on all that the city has to offer. After months of helping Katie explore the city for her role at a Happy Active Family, he decided to put his love of writing to use and officially come on board as an ambassador. Matt and Katie have two girls, ages 5 and 7. They spend their weekends camping, hiking, or exploring other hidden gems in their area. Tap into their insider knowledge by downloading the app today!

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