City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

While Maryland is well-known for cities like Baltimore, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore area, many aren’t familiar with the mountains and lake side of the state. That would be Deep Creek Lake, and we’ve gotta say, it’s a wonderful destination for everything from boating, sailing and fishing to hiking, kayaking, cycling, snow skiing, and white-water rafting.

Located in western Maryland, near the West Virginia and Pennsylvania borders, Deep Creek Lake is the largest man-made inland body of water in the state. Construction began in 1923 by building a small dam across Deep Creek. It took a few months to fill in and soon became a summer destination for folks from D.C. and beyond. The lake has pontoon rentals, restaurants and boat dock rentals around its shores.

The forests, trails and waterfalls of the Appalachian Mountains set the scene for the lakefront, which offers 3,900 acres and 69 miles of shoreline. Let’s find some things to do along all those miles!

Swallow Falls State Park

Photo: Sandy Allen

For camping, hiking, trout fishing, nature watching and wildlife viewing, Swallow Falls State Park is the best spot in the area. Walk through forest paths of hemlocks and giant boulders while the waters of the Youghiogheny River flow past and tumble over the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls. The namesake falls, Swallow Falls, is further down the river and not as tall. The smaller falls got the naming rights. Go figure. Historic visitors include Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford.

The Wisp Mountain Resort

Photo: The Wisp Resort (Facebook)

A four-season resort, the Wisp Mountain Resort offers snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing as well as a wide variety of non-snow activities. Gather your crew and take on the mountain coaster, a 1,300-foot track that zips, twists and turns its way around the mountain. You’ll have terrific views of the lake as you soar.

There’s a whitewater rafting experience (the world’s only recirculating whitewater course) at the top of the mountain and a golf course at the bottom, making this a fun and thrilling site to visit from a private boat slip for rent. The Wisp has a lodge, lessons, rentals, several restaurants and a gift shop.

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Photo: Sandy Allen

Deep Creek Lake State Park has more than 1,800 acres devoted to hiking, hunting, camping, swimming, boating and fishing for trout, bass, walleye and perch. The park is a terrific example of western Maryland’s plants and wildlife. You might even see black bears. There are picnic shelters and a boat ramp for those trailering a boat or staying at a private boat dock rental. Visit the 6,000-square-foot educational and interpretive Discovery Center to learn about the area’s natural resources.

Deep Creek Lavender Farm

Photo: Deep Creek Lavender Farm (Facebook)

Looking for a unique day trip from a private boat lift rental? Deep Creek Lavender Farm has more than 1,500 plants and 15 different varieties of fragrant English lavender in shades of purple and white. Take a tour or purchase lavender products in the farm shop. The farm is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Prime season for lavender is from mid-June to July.

Spruce Forest Artisan Village

Photo: Spruce Forest Artisan Village (Facebook)

Located on the Penn Alps property along the historic National Road, Spruce Forest Artisan Village is a unique local and cultural spot to visit from a private boat slip rental. Resident artists, set up in reconstructed cabins around the village setting, showcase and sell items such as woodwork, glass, pottery and textiles. Visitors can sign up for workshops on watercolors, basket-making, sewing and more.

Other structures on the property include the historic Casselman Bridge and antique buildings like a one-room log schoolhouse and the Village Church (originally the Pleasant Valley Church that was built in 1903). Check out the Penn Alps Restaurant & Crafts for a delicious meal. The building dates to 1818.

Deep Creek Fun Zone

Photo: Deep Creek Fun Zone

Deep Creek Fun Zone has a bazillion different things for those looking for fun things to do from a private boat slip for rent. Choose from mini golf, a laser tag arena, bumper boats and several go-cart tracks for kids and adults. A mini ninja factory gives you the chance to complete obstacle courses. Courses are in varying difficulties and include floating poles, a trapeze, ladders, jungle swings, tilting ladders and an inverted cargo crawl.

Monkey Business Adventure Park

Photo: Monkey Business Adventure Park (Facebook)

Bring the whole crew for a day of high-flying ropes course fun at Monkey Business Adventure Park. Check out the zip lines, aerial obstacle courses and free-falling courses. There’s a mini monkey course for the little ones.

We hope you’ve discovered some new places to add to your itinerary the next time you’re in the Deep Creek Lake area. Let us know if we left anything out. Happy boating!