About
Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River is the state-protected 21-mile corridor of the Yough in Garrett County, running from Miller's Run just north of Oakland to the town of Friendsville. It draws experienced whitewater paddlers, rafting groups and anglers through rugged, forested mountain country, and it's managed from Deep Creek Lake State Park in Swanton.
Maryland's First Wild River
In 1976 this stretch became Maryland's first designated Wild River, protecting the corridor's scenic, geologic, historic, ecological, recreational, fish and wildlife values. The Maryland Park Service manages it as the Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area, under the regulations in COMAR Subtitle 08.15. The river itself starts in the farmland of southern Garrett County, flows north into Pennsylvania and joins the Monongahela at McKeesport, part of the Mississippi River watershed.
Reading the River
- North of Oakland: The valley narrows and becomes heavily forested.
- Swallow Falls to Hoyes Run: Falls and rapids, dropping about 280 feet in four miles.
- Hoyes Run to Gap Falls: A relatively smooth stretch, just north of Sang Run.
- Gap Falls to Friendsville: A rugged, hard-to-reach section averaging over 100 feet of drop per mile.
DNR calls the river extremely difficult and potentially dangerous for whitewater boating, and paddlers should come prepared for a remote, primitive setting. Flows on the lower section depend on releases from the Deep Creek Lake hydroelectric plant, so check the release schedule before you go.
Getting to the Water
Public access points include Swallow Falls State Park, the Sang Run area off Sang Run Road and Friendsville. Hoyes Run is a public access for hiking and catch-and-release fly fishing. Other access points are primitive and rugged, and the state publishes no official access map, so ask the park office for whitewater information.
Call the Deep Creek Lake State Park office before your trip for current river and access details.
Address
Oakland, MD 21550