Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Arriving in Garrett County, Maryland

Deep Creek, Maryland became our back-up plan when we had to cancel travel plans to Italy, France and Switzerland due to Covid-19. Instead of international travel, we opted to rent a cabin near the lake in Garrett County, Maryland. The drive is easy and takes about two hours from our hometown of Pittsburgh.

Arriving in the town of Oakland, Maryland we were told by our Airbnb host that there were not many options for supplies so he suggested none other than Walmart for our cabin groceries. Later in the trip, Arrowhead Market became our go-to for not only the convenience but the great selection including filet for the grill and microbrew beers.

Coffee and Brews

Trader’s Coffee is where we had our afternoon coffees. Chris also ordered a slice of rhubarb pie while we watched boats and jet skis zip by on the lake. The pie was very good, but the coffee was average. But, if you want a decent cup of joe with an outstanding view, then this is the spot for you!

Mountain State Brewery Company is an especially great spot for some beers. Chris tried the local brew, but I went with one from Brooklyn Brewery. If you work up an appetite, the hand-built wood-fired pizzas are delicious! Mountain views, music and umbrella tables on their outdoor patio make for a very relaxing and fun atmosphere. Definitely worth stopping and hanging out here when you are in town.

Deep Creek Lake Sunset

To work off those calories, we walked to the Glendale bridge near the entrance to Deep Creek State Park to watch the sun set over the lake while boaters were hurrying back to their specified docks. This walk made for some extra exercise and a great place to take photos.

Swallow Falls

After breakfast and espresso (made with our Moka pot like we did in Rome) we headed to Swallow Falls National Park to explore the collection of four waterfalls. At the entrance, we paid $5.00/ person for parking. Anyone under two years of age or in a car seat isn’t charged a fee. Try to plan ahead for this, it gets very busy and parking fills up.

Once at the trailhead, look for a sign stating, Muddy Creek Falls, and turn left. This trail winds around the Youghiogheny River leading to the top of the tallest waterfall in Maryland, called Muddy Creek.

Follow the path to the right that loops around the remaining falls within the park, called, Swallow Falls. Check out the swimming areas, and be sure to bring your camera, towel and maybe some water shoes if you plan to go in.

Deep Creek Boating/Tubing

We rented a Pontoon boat from Fun Time Water Sports later in the evening and lucked out with a gorgeous 2021 boat. We rented a tube to pull behind the boat and it was so much fun! Even our teen was laughing and having a blast and she is very hard to impress 😉 . Fun Time was a great place to rent from and you can do so online. Just be sure to book in advance since everyone in the area sells out quickly.

Deep Creek State Park

We started out to do a hiking trail around lunch time, but it started pouring down rain. I suggested that we go back to our cabin and have lunch and watch a movie. After the movie (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 🙂 ) the weather cleared and we went to the State Park to do a fairly easy two mile hike. We also walked around the Aviary and saw the injured birds that were rescued and nursed back to health. This is a great stop for kids and animal lovers. Be sure to donate a few bucks to keep our avian friends well taken care of.

Cranesville Swamp

Chris was excited to do a hike that was in West Virginia that went through a swamp. It was a short hike, but a 30 minute drive from our cabin and we had an afternoon pontoon boat ride scheduled back in Maryland, so it was a tight agenda.

Upon reaching the remote dirt trail we realized immediately how unique and cool the spot was. Huge pine trees lined the trail and pine needles covered the mostly flat terrain. (other than some fallen trees and rocks jutting out.) It was definitely worth checking out in person since the pictures don’t do it justice

Various wildlife can be seen along the trail. My husband and I only saw butterflies and our teen had an encounter with a deer, but if you take your time and walk slowly you might spot a raven, a snake, an owl or even a beaver. The 1,500 foot boardwalk built over the swamp is a nice addition too. If you are in or near the area of either West Virginia or Maryland, make sure to put this on your agenda.

Ice Cream at Deep Creek

There really is only one place to recommend for vacation ice cream – Lakeside Creamery. After our second day of boating, Lakeside only had a small crowd of families waiting in line. This was a rare sight, considering that normally the line is extremely long. We tried birthday cake and chocolate chip and both were delicious! Lakeside Creamery definitely lives up to the hype (we had to test and verify)! The homemade waffle cones are a must have as well, so when you are in Deep Creek, make sure to scoop some up!

Heading Home

We stopped at Deep Creek donuts on the way out of town. There was a big selection of toppings to choose from. We chose the plain with a simple glaze for our donuts since we no longer have a sweet tooth, of course even it seemed a bit too sweet for us but you might love them (let us know in the comments below – and what toppings you chose). We did enjoy the coffee though which was comforting on a rainy drive home.

Deep Creek was no replacement for the European vacation that was cancelled due to Covid-19 however it gave us a reprieve from our Pittsburgh home quarantine routine. Enjoying nature and boating on the lake is always relaxing. If Deep Creek is a reasonable drive from home and you need a break from the daily grind go chill out on the lake!