About
Deep Creek Lake State Park covers more than 1,800 acres on Meadow Mountain along the shore of Deep Creek Lake, with its entrance at 898 State Park Road, Swanton. It's the area's main public base for swimming, camping, hiking and lake fishing, with about a mile of lakefront and a nature center that's worth a stop on its own.
On the Water
The park has two sandy beaches with a shower house, foot-wash and changing station; swimming is allowed only while the seasonal swim lines are in. The boat launch has a four-vehicle launch area, ADA parking, restrooms, a fishing pier and a pump-out station (see our Deep Creek Lake State Park Boat Launch listing). Anglers fish for trout, bass, walleye, yellow perch and northern pike, and licenses are sold at the Ranger Station. The lake itself was built in the 1920s by the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company.
Camping, Trails and the Discovery Center
The campground operates from mid-April to mid-December with basic and electric sites, two mini cabins and a yurt (each sleeps six, with power and heat but no water), the Bear Den Adirondack-style shelter, and heated bathhouses. The Delphia Brant loop is pet-free. Campsites and the four reservable picnic shelters (Tamarack, Birch, Hemlock and Oak, each for up to 75 people) are booked through the Maryland Park Service at parkreservations.maryland.gov or 1-888-432-2267.
About 20 miles of trails range from the short Discovery/Sensory Trail to the 5.5-mile Meadow Mountain Trail; Beckmans Trail leads to the old Brant Coal Mine, and the restored 1921 Thayerville Fire Tower stands on Meadow Mountain. The 6,000-square-foot Discovery Center has a replica of the Brant Mine, aquariums, reptile and amphibian displays and the Scales & Tales Aviary of non-releasable birds of prey.
Before You Go
- Pets are welcome on trails and in most of the day-use area, but not on the sandy beach in summer.
- From mid-December to mid-March the main gate closes for snowmobile season; park at the Discovery Center.
- Weddings and other events must be scheduled in advance with the park office.
Our Cherry Creek Loop Trail, Meadow Mountain Trail and beach restroom listings cover those spots in more detail.
Address
898 State Park Rd, Swanton, MD 21561