Swallow Falls State Park sits in the mountainous heart of Garrett County, Maryland, where the Youghiogheny River carves through hemlock forests and tumbles over a series of dramatic waterfalls. At just 257 acres, it packs an outsized punch — this is home to Muddy Creek Falls, a 53-foot cascade that ranks as Maryland’s tallest waterfall.

A 1.25-mile canyon trail loops past all four waterfalls, including the park’s namesake Swallow Falls and the photogenic Tolliver Falls, a smaller drop that spills over a mossy rock ledge into a wading-friendly pool. The trail hugs the river gorge through one of Maryland’s last remaining stands of old-growth hemlock and white pine, with some trees over 300 years old. It’s a short hike with big payoffs — manageable for families but genuinely spectacular.

Beyond the falls, the Youghiogheny offers excellent trout fishing, and the surrounding forest is laced with trails for hiking and cross-country skiing when winter sets in. The park operates a 65-site campground with electric hookups, flush restrooms, and hot showers — a solid base camp for exploring the Garrett County highlands.

Visit in spring when snowmelt swells the waterfalls to their most powerful, or come in October when the hardwood canopy erupts in color against the dark evergreen hemlocks. Summer weekends draw crowds, so aim for weekday mornings if you want the canyon trail to yourself. Swallow Falls delivers one of the most rewarding short hikes on the entire East Coast.

Explore Nearby

• Maryland state highways — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Maryland highway system — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Lower Humbert Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• King’s Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• Monongahela National Forest — National Forest in West Virginia