The Deep Creek Lake Maryland area is
located in the beautiful mountains of Western Maryland in scenic
Garrett County. Deep Creek Lake forms the centerpiece of this
wonderful Maryland waterfront resort area. Its 65-mile shoreline
winds along the wide-open lake surface and into secluded coves.
The surrounding stands of virgin
hemlocks and dense rhododendron produce a noticeably cool
temperature and a quiet that contrasts to the water's roar. It was
here that the self-styled "Vagabonds," Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone,
John Burroughs and Thomas Edison, rolled out their sleeping cots to
camp in 1918 and again in 1921.
Mountains, streams and valleys make up the 7,400 acres in Garrett
State Forest. In 1906, the Garrett brothers of the B&O Railroad fame
gave the State of Maryland 2,000 acres of forestland under the
condition that a state forestry department be established to manage
the area.
Potomac State Forest contains 12,400 acres of trees, streams and
wildlife. It is located along Backbone Mountain, near the headwaters
of the historic Potomac River. With 300 acres in Garrett County, Big
Run State Park offers rustic camping opportunities at the mouth of
the Savage River Reservoir.
Herrington Manor State Park is located in the middle of Garrett
State Forest. New Germany State Park is on the site of a
once-prosperous milling center in Savage River State Forest. Swallow
Falls State Park contains some of Maryland's most breathtaking
scenery.
The Youghiogheny River flows along the
park's borders, passing through shaded rocky gorges
and creating rippling rapids. The section of the Youghiogheny River
between Miller's Run and Friendsville was designated as Maryland's
first wild river.
Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area, a 2,000-acre tract, protects one
of the most unique wetlands in Maryland - a red spruce bog.
The beautiful, 80-ft stone arch bridge at Casselman River Bridge
State Park was part of the old National Road. When constructed in
1813, it was the largest of its kind in the world.
The Cove Overlook, at an elevation of 2,800 feet, provides a
panorama of the scenic farmlands below, stretching south along the
valley and westward to the mountain crest. This awesome landscape
has been photographed and captured on canvases in all seasons.
Located in Swallow Falls State Park, Muddy Creek Falls is a powerful
53-ft cataract.
Garrett County, the westernmost county in the state, was the last
part of Maryland to be settled. The first settlers arrived in 1764,
and were mostly English, German and Irish settlers from
Pennsylvania. In 1872, the county was founded and named for B&O
Railroad president John Work Garrett because of the importance of
the railroad in county history. Oakland, the county seat, was once a
resort area and a retreat for many famous Americans, including
Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and William Jennings
Bryant.
