Right now
Right now as of Nov 3, 2026
- Permit Summer timed-entry reservations.
Status note (Nov 3, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on Nov 2, 2026 the MD DNR Park Status Dashboard listed Swallow Falls State Park as open with no alerts. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. In November, the day-use fee is $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for out-of-state visitors. What the status labels mean
Swallow Falls State Park is a Maryland DNR park in Garrett County, nine miles north of Oakland. Its main waterfall is Muddy Creek Falls, which DNR calls a 53-foot waterfall. A 1.25-mile trail leads through the park, and the Youghiogheny River runs along its borders. In November, DNR charges $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for others. Summer weekends and holidays need a timed-entry reservation.
About Swallow Falls State Park
Swallow Falls State Park is a mountain park in Garrett County, nine miles north of Oakland, according to Maryland DNR. The Youghiogheny River flows along the park's borders, through shaded rocky gorges and rippling rapids.
Muddy Creek Falls is the main sight. DNR calls it a crashing 53-foot waterfall. The Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) lists it at 54 feet as Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall.
The park is named for Swallow Falls, and park descriptions also name Upper Swallow Falls, Lower Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls. DNR's main park page doesn't list them or give their heights, so check its hiking page for the route.
DNR says tall hemlocks dominate the woods. Wikipedia describes the hemlocks as old growth, with some trees over 300 years old, and gives the park's size as 257 acres.
The park has a well-known piece of history. DNR says Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped at present-day Swallow Falls from July 27 to July 31, 1921. DNR's page also quotes Edison at Muddy Creek Falls that July.
Getting there and parking
Set your GPS to 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, MD 21550, the address Maryland DNR gives. The park is nine miles north of Oakland in Garrett County.
Call the Swallow Falls State Park office at 301-387-6938. In February and March, DNR lists Herrington Manor State Park headquarters at 301-334-9180 instead.
DNR's park page doesn't give a lot size or a full-lot rule. On summer weekends and holidays, your timed-entry reservation sets when you can arrive.
The map pin uses Wikipedia's coordinates for the park, not a specific lot or waterfall. Use the street address for directions.
Elsewhere in Maryland, see Kilgore Falls in Harford County and Cunningham Falls near Thurmont. In West Virginia, Blackwater Falls and Elakala Falls share one state park. Our Maryland waterfalls guide compares the state's falls.
Camping at Swallow Falls State Park
Swallow Falls has a campground, mini-cabins and a group shelter. DNR's fee table lists these base rates per night, with fees extra:
- Campsite: $21.50
- Electric and water: $27.50
- Electric, water and sewer: $32.50
- Mini-cabin: $50.50
The table also lists a shelter for 70 people, available year-round. It doesn't give campground season dates, so check with the park office at 301-387-6938 before you plan a night here.
The park page links a Black Bear Country page. Read it before you camp, and keep food packed away from your site.
Map and nearby falls
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The 1.25-mile trail and the falls
Maryland DNR lists a 1.25-mile trail through Swallow Falls. Its park page doesn't say whether that is a loop or a one-way distance.
DNR links a separate hiking page for trail details. Check it for the current route past the falls and for any seasonal rules, including pets.
Muddy Creek Falls is the only falls DNR's park page gives a height for: 53 feet. MGS lists 54 feet.
Wikipedia also describes a 5.5-mile hike and bike trail to Herrington Manor State Park. DNR's park page doesn't describe it, so confirm it with the park before you set out.
DNR gives no difficulty rating, elevation figures or walking time for the falls trail.
When to visit
The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, per Maryland DNR.
Fees follow the season. From the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends in May, September and October, DNR charges per person. The rest of the time, it charges per vehicle.
Summer weekends and holidays need a timed reservation. The windows run 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
November is outside the reservation season. As listed on Nov 3, 2026, the fee is $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for out-of-state visitors. In February and March, call Herrington Manor headquarters with questions.
DNR names no best month for water flow.
| Height | 53 ft (Muddy Creek Falls)Note: Muddy Creek Falls, per Maryland DNR; the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) lists it at 54 ft as Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall |
|---|---|
| Trail | A 1.25-mile trail through Swallow Falls, per MD DNR; the park page doesn't say whether that is a loop or one way |
| Difficulty | MD DNR gives no difficulty rating for the trail |
| Entry fee | November and other off-season days: $3 per vehicle (MD resident) or $5 per vehicle (out of state). Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and weekends in May, September and October: $3 or $5 per person. Additional fees may apply (MD DNR) |
| Permit / reservation | Timed-entry reservations required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, at parkdayuse.maryland.gov |
| Parking | No lot details listed; GPS to 2470 Maple Glade Rd |
| Hours / season | 8 a.m. to sunset (MD DNR) |
| Dogs | Not confirmed: the MD DNR park page gives no pet rule. Check DNR's Swallow Falls hiking page before you bring a dog |
| Swimming | Not confirmed: the MD DNR park page gives no swim rule. DNR links a separate White Water Hazards page for the river |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Not confirmed: MD DNR lists no accessible route to the falls on its park page |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; summer weekends and holidays need a timed-entry reservation |
| Crowds | MD DNR requires timed-entry reservations on summer weekends and holidays; it gives no other crowd information |
| Managed by | Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Swallow Falls State Park) |
Safety and swimming
Maryland DNR's park page gives no swim rule for the falls or the river. It links a separate White Water Hazards page, so read it before you go near the water.
DNR says the Youghiogheny River runs through rocky gorges and rapids along the park's edge. Stay on the trail and keep children close near the gorge.
Rock around waterfalls is often wet. Watch your footing at the viewpoints, and wear shoes with good grip.
The park page also links a Black Bear Country page. Read it before you hike or camp.
Our waterfall safety guide has more on river currents and slick rock.
Conditions change: confirm with Maryland DNR before you go.
Where to stay near Swallow Falls State Park
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Oakland.
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Photos
Swallow Falls State Park FAQ
Is Swallow Falls State Park open?
Open, as far as we can tell. On Nov 2, 2026 the MD DNR Park Status Dashboard listed Swallow Falls State Park as open with no alerts. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Check the dashboard on the day you go.
How long is the walk at Swallow Falls?
Maryland DNR lists a 1.25-mile trail through Swallow Falls. The park page doesn't say whether it's a loop or one way, and it gives no difficulty rating.
How much does Swallow Falls State Park cost?
It depends on the season, per MD DNR. In November it's $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for out-of-state visitors. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends in May, September and October, it's $3 or $5 per person. DNR says additional fees may apply. Summer weekends and holidays also need a timed-entry reservation at parkdayuse.maryland.gov, and DNR says a surcharge applies.
How many waterfalls are at Swallow Falls State Park?
Maryland DNR's park page names Muddy Creek Falls, a 53-foot waterfall. Park descriptions also name Upper Swallow Falls, Lower Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls. DNR's main page gives no heights for those three.
Is Muddy Creek Falls the tallest waterfall in Maryland?
It's the tallest free-falling one. The Maryland Geological Survey lists Muddy Creek Falls at 54 feet as the state's highest free-falling waterfall, and Maryland DNR calls it 53 feet. Cunningham Falls is taller at 78 feet, but MGS classes it as a cascade.
Can you camp at Swallow Falls State Park?
Swallow Falls has a campground and mini-cabins. DNR's fee table lists campsites from $21.50 a night, electric and water sites at $27.50, full hookups at $32.50 and mini-cabins at $50.50, with fees extra. The table gives no season dates or current campground status, so call 301-387-6938 first.
Can you swim at Swallow Falls?
Maryland DNR's park page gives no swim rule. It links a White Water Hazards page for the Youghiogheny River, so read that before you go near the water.
Is Swallow Falls a real place?
Yes. Swallow Falls State Park is a Maryland state park in Garrett County, nine miles north of Oakland, run by Maryland DNR.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Sources
Some facts credited to the Maryland DNR Swallow Falls hiking page come from search-result excerpts of its official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.
- Maryland DNR: Swallow Falls State Park (read Nov 3, 2026)
- Maryland DNR: Park Status Dashboard (read Nov 3, 2026)
- Maryland DNR: Park fees and hours, Swallow Falls (read Nov 3, 2026)
- Maryland Geological Survey: Maryland's highest waterfalls (Muddy Creek Falls 54 ft free-falling; Cunningham Falls 78 ft cascading)
- Wikipedia: Swallow Falls State Park
Last verified Nov 3, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Swallow Falls State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.