Our most popular guided hiking tours are the 3 Hour Family River Walk and the 2 Hour Swallow Falls Nature Tour.
See Information below.
Groups interested in custom programs or hiking adventures are welcome to call to check on availability and tour options . Phone us at 301-746-4083. Special hikes might include a special lunch, a little survival skills, map and compass, nature photography or bird watching. Special locations such as the Cranesville Nature Preserve and Wildlife Refuge or Whiskey Hollow Wildlands may be available.
We are Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake’s original guided hiking tour company. Our guided hikes are more than just a ‘follow me’. Your experienced guide and outdoor leader will teach you about the local plants, animals, and the environment. Regardless of the time of year you will find a guided hike or snowshoeing tour enriches your experience and helps you to gain knowledge to feel like local. We also get you off-the-beaten-path at times to find solitude and share special hidden areas with you and the group.
Easier walks range in distance from 1 mile to 2 miles, more difficult hikes are a distance of 4-5 miles. Some may feature nice elevation gains of up to 1,250 feet. Hikes for groups can be custom designed and incorporate a focus on survival skills, bushwhacking off trail, nature photography, bird watching, wildflowers or just chill ‘laxin. We explore exciting wildlands and ‘seldom seen’ areas such as Whiskey Hollow, Middle Fork Wildlands and the Swallow Falls backcountry.
Large families or groups (16+) can customize a day of adventure with kayaking and hiking! Kayaking in the morning. Stop for a nice picnic lunch and take a nice guided walk in the afternoon.
FUN FOR GROUPS! We have led customized hikes for many years for numerous groups. Please call to find out about all the fantastic hiking and nature opportunities we offer. From mild to wild we’ve got you covered!
Deep Creek Lake Area Hiking Tours
Swallow Falls Nature Tour
Our guided nature walk at Swallow Falls is a fun learning adventure. We mostly avoid the busy trails and share our knowledge of the plants, animals and history of the area with you. Most importantly we have fun!
- This is a GREAT TOUR for first timers to Swallow Falls and our area and anyone interested in exploring and learning more about our fantastic area.
- Offered Year Round
You will not only get fun and interesting background information on the park and its plants and animals but you will learn about the Deep Creek Lake area in general. ONLY a local guide can provide you with the depth of knowledge needed to help make Garrett County your home away from home. Let us introduce you to our areas most popular scenic attraction from a naturalist and mountain guide point of view.
What you will do: You will take a guide escorted walking tour of Swallow Falls State Park. Your guide will usually take you into some areas not seen by most park visitors and you’ll see Maryland’s highest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls 53′. This tour 2 hour tour features about 90 minutes of total walking time with stops to explore and discover and just enjoy the peaceful forest. Your leisurely walk through one of the last stands of virgin old growth forests in our region and beside our wild rivers is a special trip not to be missed.
You will learn about this endangered ecology as well as the bears, park history, water resources, plants and animals. Bring your cameras (great spots for family photos) and be ready for a gentle hike in one Maryland’s (if not the world’s) most beautiful areas!
Trail length is about 1.75-2.25 miles.
- Most Swallow Falls Tours are offered Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am until 11:00pm. Other days and times may be available, including same day bookings.
- There is an add’l parking fee charged at the park.
- COST: Minimum flat fee is $150, for up to 6 people. Each additional person is $20. Example: A couple can make a confirmed reservation and if we add to the group, the cost will drop.
- Wear suitable walking shoes (some form of tread suggested) and dress for the weather.
- Trips run rain, snow or shine.
- Bring cameras and phones for picture talking.
- Small day pack for water bottle and snacks for the kids is suggested.
- See and learn about the park in a way you may have never seen it before.
- You will learn some outdoor skills – just ask your guide:)
- Swallow Falls Nature Tours are offered year round and almost any day with advance reservations.
- Cancellation Policy: Full refunds are available if you cancel 24 hours before your confirmed tours start time and day.
The River Walk
We start in Friendsville and walk to a great swimming hole in the Youghiogheny River Wild and Scenic corridor (Maryland’s only Designated Wild and Scenic River). It’s a very long country mile (1.25 miles) upriver to a spot known as the ‘Great Ledge’. This great swimming hole has a sandy beach, several shallow areas for wading and some areas with a mild current. The walk follows the abandoned railroad grade that runs alongside the river.
Your guide will point out natural features and tell you about the history of the area. If some members of the group are feeling energetic they are welcome to explore the trail or riverside farther upriver. Great nature photography opportunities and a great chance to relax by the river while the kids play in the water and on the sandy beach.
- When – Summer Season: Wednesday and Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm.
- Other seasons, days and times may be available.
- Easy Walk~ Tour Lasts 3 hours, with 45 minutes of gentle walking each way.
- Where: Yough River Wild and Scenic Corridor. Hike departs from Friendsville, All Earth Headquarters.
- We will supply you with directions, and what to bring. 20 minute drive from Deep Creek Lake, McHenry Area.
- Cost: $100 for 1 to 4 people. Each additional person $20.00.
- Call to schedule a tour or to make information inquiries. 301-746-4083 or 800-446-7554. If we are out please leave a message.
- What you will do and see: This easy relaxing trip is ideal for families and folks of most ages. The trail is even stroller friendly (sort of).
- What to wear and bring: Dress for walking and bring an extra layer and/or rain coat depending on weather. Sneakers are fine. But…may get wet. Most folks wear bathing suit under clothes. Small daypack suggested. We’ll help you on what to wear when you call. Private tours are available. River sandals or water shoes are great for wading in the river.
- Bring a lunch or snack to enjoy at the Great Ledge.
- Bring baseball hats or hats to help keep gnats out of your eyes. Bug juice, sunscreen. Bugs are not bad.
- Cameras and phones for picture taking.
- Towel
- Water Bottle
Off the Beaten Path Hiking Tours
In addition to our popular hikes we also offer tours into some of the more remote and seldom seen forests and trails of Garrett County. These tours can run from 2 hours to 4 hours and from mild to wild. Please call us to learn more about how we can help you make your trip to the mountains a fully immersive nature experience.
Available Tours to Hidden Gems Include:
- Lost Lands Adventure – explore the Lost Lands in the Potoimac State Forest. Waterfalls and swimming holes. A beautiful walk in a pristine valley.
- Big Savage Mountain Climb – Climb Big Savage Mountian to an amazing rock outcropping on the summit with a gorgeous view. Hike cliombs 1250 vertical feet and is one of Maryland’s best mountian hikes. Tour takes 4 hours with one hour on the summit rocks.
- Middle Fork of The Savage River – a fun hike mostly downhill through a pristing wildlands. Lots of stream crossings and very remote and wild character.
- Cranesville Heritage National Wildlife Refuge– fun and educational tour on the state line between MD and WV. Hike includes a walk on on the boardwalk over the swamp. Tgis unique area is a little biyt of canada gone astray and many of the plants and animals can be found in northern boreal forests. Great early morning walk for bird watchers.