Waterfalls in Maryland

Overview of waterfalls in Maryland

Each falls has its own claim to height. The Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) lists Cunningham Falls, at 78 feet, as the state's tallest cascading waterfall. MGS lists Muddy Creek Falls, at 54 feet, as the highest free-falling one, while MD DNR gives 53 feet. MD DNR calls 17-foot Kilgore Falls Maryland's second highest vertical drop waterfall.

The visits differ more than the heights. Kilgore Falls has a single 28-car lot and requires reservations on summer weekends and holidays. Swallow Falls uses timed-entry reservations on those same days. Cunningham Falls State Park often fills to capacity on weekends, MD DNR says. Swimming is prohibited at Cunningham Falls but permitted at your own risk at Kilgore Falls.

Kilgore Falls and Swallow Falls are open, as far as we can tell, as of Nov 3, 2026, per MD DNR. MD DNR's page listed Cunningham Falls State Park as open on Oct 29, 2026. The sections below compare the three, then cover each park's fees, trails and rules.

Maryland's three waterfalls compared

All three falls are MD DNR sites, but fees, reservations and swimming rules differ from park to park.

Fees are the MD DNR resident and non-resident rates. Summer means roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; each park's exact dates are in its section below.

Cascading vs free-falling: Maryland's tallest falls

Maryland's tallest waterfall depends on how the water drops. The Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) lists Cunningham Falls, at 78 feet, as the tallest cascading falls. MGS lists Muddy Creek Falls, at 54 feet, as the highest free-falling one.

MD DNR, which runs Swallow Falls State Park, calls Muddy Creek Falls a 53-foot waterfall. Kilgore Falls is far shorter, at 17 feet, but MD DNR calls it Maryland's second highest vertical drop waterfall.

Visiting Cunningham Falls: fees, trails and rules

On Oct 29, 2026, MD DNR listed Cunningham Falls State Park as open, with off-peak fees. A ½-mile Lower Trail leads to the falls, where swimming is banned.

Fees: MD DNR charges per person in the William Houck Area from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Off peak, and at the Manor Area, it charges per vehicle.

MD DNR waives day-use entrance for US Armed Forces veterans, for the card holder only unless a per-vehicle charge applies.

Status: open, as far as we can tell (MD DNR, Oct 29, 2026). Off-peak fees now apply, at $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for others.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset from April to October and 10 a.m. to sunset from November to March, per MD DNR.

Trails: the Lower Trail is ½ mile, rated easy to moderate, and MD DNR calls it the shortest and easiest access to the falls. The Cliff Trail is ¾ mile and strenuous.

Swimming: prohibited at the falls. MD DNR says staff have responded to "hundreds of accidents at the Falls," mostly from slips and falls. You can swim in three designated areas of Hunting Creek Lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited coverage on Mondays.

Crowds: the park often fills to capacity on weekends, and MD DNR turns traffic away when it is full. Cell service is very limited in the Catoctin Mountains, so save directions ahead.

Two ways to reach Cunningham Falls

Cunningham Falls can be reached from the state park's William Houck Area near Thurmont or from Catoctin Mountain Park, across MD 77.

From the state park: the William Houck Area, at 14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, is three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77. Park in the Day-Use Area for the Lower Trail, with overflow at the South Beach and North Beach lots.

From Catoctin Mountain Park: NPS describes a short boardwalk to the base from a handicap pull-off lot. Its trailhead page lists a 2.8-mile round trip from the Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center.

Both campgrounds are in the state park. William Houck Campground is open April through October, and Manor Area Campground is open year round. Our waterfall safety guide covers slick rock near falls.

Swallow Falls State Park and Muddy Creek Falls

Swallow Falls State Park is in Garrett County, nine miles north of Oakland, with the Youghiogheny River along its borders. Muddy Creek Falls is the main sight. MD DNR lists a 1.25-mile trail through the park but doesn't say whether that is a loop or one way.

Fees: in November, MD DNR charges $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for out-of-state visitors. From the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends in May, September and October, it charges $3 or $5 per person.

Timed entry: weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day need a reservation at parkdayuse.maryland.gov. The entry windows are 8 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, per MD DNR. The GPS address is 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, MD 21550.

Swimming: the MD DNR park page gives no swim rule. It links a separate White Water Hazards page for the river, so read that before you go near the water.

Camping: MD DNR's fee table lists campsites from $21.50 a night and mini-cabins at $50.50, with fees extra.

MD DNR says Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped at present-day Swallow Falls from July 27 to July 31, 1921.

Kilgore Falls: reservations and the 28-car lot

Kilgore Falls is in the Falling Branch area, which MD DNR describes as a 67-acre parcel about five miles north of the main part of Rocks State Park. A single-track trail runs ½ mile from the lot to the falls. Reaching the base means crossing the Falling Branch stream, so plan on wet feet.

Parking: the only lot holds 28 cars, at 1026 Falling Branch Road, Pylesville, MD 21132. When it is full, the area is at capacity, and MD DNR says off-site parking is no longer available nearby.

Reservations: required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The fee is $3 per person for residents or $5 for non-residents, plus a processing fee. MD DNR's fee table lists no separate off-season fee, so call the park office (410-557-7994) to confirm.

Swimming: wading and swimming are permitted at your own risk, with no lifeguards. MD DNR discourages leaping from the falls into the creek, as serious injuries have occurred. The Harford County Health Department posts bacteria results for the site.

Facilities and dogs: there are no restrooms, picnic tables or grills. The trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, and dogs must be leashed at all times.

Planning a wider trip? See our Virginia waterfalls, Pennsylvania waterfalls and West Virginia waterfalls guides.

Great Falls of the Potomac from the Maryland side

Great Falls of the Potomac is not one of the three falls above, but you can see it from Maryland. The Maryland bank belongs to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, run by NPS. Our Great Falls Park guide covers both sides.

From Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Potomac, the Olmsted Island boardwalk leads to the Great Falls Overlook. NPS calls the boardwalk "ADA accessible," and dogs are not allowed on it.

Fees: NPS charges $20 per private vehicle in the Great Falls Tavern area, by credit or debit card only. Passes bought there are also valid at Great Falls Park in Virginia, per the NPS C&O Canal fees page.

Status: open, as far as we can tell. The NPS conditions page, updated Nov 12, 2026, listed the overlook and boardwalk as open (read Nov 13, 2026).

Maryland waterfalls FAQ