Swallow Falls State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swallow Falls State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Muddy Creek Falls
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 Swallow Falls State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Garrett County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Oakland, Maryland |
| Area | 257 acres (104 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,382 ft (726 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1930s |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Swallow Falls State Park |
Swallow Falls State Park is a cool place to visit in Maryland, United States. It's a public park where people can enjoy nature. You can find it about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Oakland in Garrett County.
This park is famous for its amazing waterfalls. It has Maryland's tallest free-falling waterfall, called Muddy Creek Falls, which drops 53 feet (16 m)! There are also smaller waterfalls along the Youghiogheny River and Tolivar Creek. Another special thing about the park is its very old hemlock trees. Some of these trees are more than 300 years old. They are part of the last group of such old trees in Maryland.
Contents
Park History: How it Started
Early Days of Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls State Park began a long time ago. In 1906, two brothers, John and Robert Garrett, gave 1,917 acres (776 ha) of land. They wanted this land to become a state forest. This large area included what we now know as Swallow Falls State Park. It also included Herrington Manor State Park.
Building the Park: The CCC's Role
Both Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor state parks were developed in the 1930s. This work was done by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that helped put young men to work. They built many parks and trails across the country.
Famous Visitors to the Falls
Did you know some famous people have visited this area? Back in the early 1900s, people like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, John Burroughs, and Harvey Firestone camped near Muddy Creek Falls. They enjoyed the beautiful nature there in the summers of 1918 and 1921. Imagine camping in the same spot as these inventors and businessmen!
Things to Do at Swallow Falls
Camping and Picnics
If you love camping, Swallow Falls State Park has 65 campsites where you can stay overnight. There's also a nice picnic area. It has a pavilion where you can eat and a playground for kids to have fun.
Hiking and Exploring Nature
The park offers a mile-long (1.6 km) hiking trail. This trail takes you through the amazing old growth forest. Here, you can see those ancient hemlock trees up close. It's a great way to experience nature and see the tall waterfalls.
Connecting Trails for Adventure
For those who like longer adventures, there's a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) trail. This trail is perfect for hiking and mountain biking. It connects Swallow Falls State Park with Herrington Manor State Park. So, you can explore two parks in one trip!
