Explore/Maryland/Loop Maryland's Tallest Waterfall

Loop Maryland's Tallest Waterfall

Western Maryland / Garrett County, Maryland

Activity

Hiking / Waterfall

Difficulty

Moderate / rocky waterfall loop

Distance

1.25 mi round trip

Elevation gain

~220 ft

Duration

~1–1.5 hrs

Route

Loop

The adventure

Pack Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall, two more named falls and an old-growth forest into a 1¼-mile loop.

Step onto the Canyon Trail and follow the gorge through Swallow Falls' old-growth forest. Reach the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, continue the loop past the other named falls instead of turning around after the headline act, and return to the day-use trailhead.

Youghiogheny River gorge and old-growth eastern hemlock/white pine forest

What you'll do

Start at Swallow Falls State Park day-use parking and Canyon Trailhead, then follow the route about 1.25 miles round trip.

Expect rocky old-growth gorge trail with wet/slippery sections.

Expect roughly 220 ft of climbing along the way.

What you're looking at

Swallow Falls was named for a rock pillar that once supported a colony of cliff swallows.

The story of the place

Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone camped beside Muddy Creek Falls in 1921 as part of their Vagabonds trips.

Once you're there

Enter at 2470 Maple Glade Road and use the designated day-use parking by the Canyon Trailhead. Follow the signed Canyon Trail loop on foot; it passes through the old-growth forest and links Muddy Creek Falls with Upper and Lower Swallow Falls.

Stay on the established trail and viewpoints, especially where spray, snow or ice makes rock slick. The loop returns to the same day-use area.

Don't miss

Between waterfalls, look up. Some eastern hemlocks and white pines in this protected grove are reported to be at least 360 years old.

Good to know

Entrance fee: Current Maryland State Park information lists a required day-use service charge: seasonal per-person or per-vehicle rates depending on date.
Access: Motor vehicles require day-use reservations on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day under the current 2026 system; outside that window no advance day-use reservation is identified. Same-day online reservations may be possible when capacity remains.
Best time to go: Open year-round, but winter snow/ice and high water can materially change trail difficulty. Summer brings reservation requirements on weekends/holidays.
Hours: 8 a. m. to sunset year-round
Fee pattern: Seasonal per-person/per-vehicle day-use charges.
Cell service: Unreliable; park explicitly advises visitors not to rely on cell phones.
Hazards: Rushing water, slippery wet rocks, snow and ice, rugged footing
Old growth: Some trees are reported to be at least 360 years old.
Dogs: Seasonal exception is critical: pets are prohibited in the day-use area and Canyon Trail from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day; they are permitted there after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and must remain leashed/controlled.
53-FOOT DROP: Muddy Creek Falls drops 53 feet and is Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall.
THREE-FALL COUNTRY: The Canyon Trail also passes Upper and Lower Swallow Falls, so the headline waterfall is not the only payoff.
PLAN THE ENTRY: Summer weekends and holidays now require a motor-vehicle day-use reservation, and the park always charges a day-use service fee.
Surface: Natural forest trail, rock, roots and wet streamside footing
Managed by: Maryland Department of Natural Resources — Swallow Falls State Park.

Please respect the place

Day-use service charge required
Weekend/holiday motor-vehicle reservations required Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day under current park rules
Pets are prohibited in the day-use area and Canyon Trail from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
Canyon Trail is foot traffic only
Wet weather, snow and ice can make rocks and trail surfaces hazardous

Photos

More adventures nearby

Big Bear Lake Trail Center · Northern Mountains, West Virginia

Big Bear Lake Trail Center Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking · Moderate · ~10 mi away

Rowlesburg town public riverside access · Preston County, West Virginia

Cheat River Rowlesburg Riverside Walk

Hiking · Easy · ~17 mi away

Coopers Rock State Forest main day-use area · Monongalia County, West Virginia

Castle Rock Trail Sandstone Scramble

Hiking · Moderate · ~22 mi away