First off, you don’t have to be new to the Wander with Sarah S community to know how much I adore outdoor adventures. If you are new here, you’re in the right place for travel guides, hiking adventures, swoon worthy glamp sites, and so much more! Secondly, I am a firm believer that time spent outdoors works wonders both mentally and physically.
One of my all time favorite escapes, is Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland. This is my home away from home. In other words, this tiny lake town checks off all the boxes for my ultimate getaway destination.
If you are on the hunt for a swoon worthy weekend getaway, all year round, Deep Creek Lake is a one stop shop for all your summer and winter needs. Here is a list of my favorite activities and must stop places in this remote mountain area town.
Hiking:
Western, Maryland has some of the most breathtaking hiking trails. It’s almost like a mix of the Sierra’s in California, waterfalls from Oregon, and dreamy swimming holes from New England. Not sure if that gives you the best picture, but let me tell you – it’s euphoric.
Swallow Falls State Park is my, all time, favorite hike in Maryland; talk about checking off all the boxes. This short loop always seems to turn into hours spent exploring, swimming, and snapping gorgeous shots in front of the falls. The loop to Muddy Creek is just one of the beautiful waterfall stops throughout this park. I try to remember back to the non-Covid days when we could spend the whole day there soaking in the rays, breaking in fresh air, and working off the amazing picnic that just took place. Those are days I am desperately looking forward to, in the future.
Garrett State Forest was a new stop on our Western, Maryland tour this past week. I can honestly tell you, this forest will be on our MUST list from here on out. The Lord of the Rings vibe took this hike to another level. I am a sucker for a good LOTR moment.
With over 2,000 acres, Garrett State Forest and Swallow Falls State Park make up 20 miles worth of various hiking trails. These woods offer some of the best recreational activities; especially for outdoor lovers. Hiking, cross country skiing, camping, hunting, and fishing are just a small batch of offerings these parks provide.
Lake Life:
During the summer months, you can’t come up to Western Maryland without spending time on Deep Creek Lake. DCL is the largest inland body of water, in the state of Maryland. It’s 69 miles of shore line offer this town several opportunities to enjoy life on the water.
Luckily, we were able to rent a boat and enjoy lake life to the fullest. Double lucky that I wasn’t the captain of the boat, and could enjoy a few+ mango White Claws.
This town offers several water entertainment options. Rentals for boats, kayaks, jet skis, tubing, and so many more, are easily available. There is plenty of room on this lake to enjoy all types of water sports. I’ve been known to dip a toe or two into the water. All my water babies will totally understand.
Accommodations:
Another one of my favorite things about taking a summer trip to Deep Creek Lake is the abundant number of rental options. This mountain town offers everything from camping and rustic cabin rentals, to private homes and upscale resort accommodations. This time around, we rented a private home through AirB&B. We were lucky enough to find a house that slept 10+, making it cozy for the seven of us that took the weekend trip.
There are even rental companies located in town, that are more than helpful to ensuring your perfect vacation rental.
I am looking forward to camping and glamping on our next visit to Western Maryland. Mother Nature is constantly calling my name; so a camping trip is on my horizon. Clearly, I’m still checking items off my Summer 2020 Bucket List.
Night Life:
Obviously night life options are a little different these days. Lucky for us, staying at the house and enjoying the outdoor amenities of our rental was at the top of our evening list.
During “normal,” non Covid-19, summer night life is abundant and thriving. Deep Creek Lake offers plenty of restaurants, spots to grab a couple beverages, and one of the BEST ice cream spots.
One of my favorite things about this place, is that the majority of every restaurant, bar, and snack spot is dock side; giving you the option to dock your boat right outside. Taking a boat ride to get ice cream is an ultimate summer high. Other lake lovers will totally understand this feeling.
Anyways, my crew spent the evening hours around the fire pit. Obviously s’mores were made and enjoyed by all. Another one of my favorite summer activities. We were even able to try out some new recipes – which turned out perfectly.
In conclusion, this four season destination is one of my favorites. People from all over the states make the drive to escape city life, soak in the forests, hike the mountains, and catch rays on the lake. If you’re looking for a fun getaway, check out Deep Creek Lake located in Oakland, Maryland. You won’t regret this trip!!!
P.S. – if you have ever been to Deep Creek Lake, DM me. I would love to hear all about your trip and favorite things to do.
Lastly, check out our YouTube vlog from our weekend away!
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn?t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you?ll definitely discover it.