Swallow Falls State Park
State park
0.2 mi
4.8 (3638)
2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Wooded park with a 1.2-mile trail to Muddy Creek Falls has a biking trail, picnic area & camp sites.
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Waterfalls/River/CreekMD
Swallow Falls State Park Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background photo from a past visit, not current conditions. View photos and source links
Explore Swallow Falls with reviewed river and waterfall photos, correct park navigation, seasonal reservation guidance and a nearby designated swim-beach alternative.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Confirm current water-use rules with park staff. Waterfall photos and historical swimming reports do not establish permission or safe depth. Herrington Manor has a separately documented lake swimming beach.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Waterfalls/River/Creek
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
State park admission charges vary by season and visitor residency. Check current per-person versus per-vehicle charges and any required reservation.
Best season
Select a permitted reservation window when required and allow time to finish within park hours
Nearby towns
Oakland
Water body
Youghiogheny River/Muddy Creek/Tolliver Run
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Oakland
Access location not verified
39.49667, -79.42556
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Swallow Falls State Park Swimming Spots
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A waterfall outing with practical park planning
Swallow Falls is a western Maryland destination for river scenery, wooded trails and waterfall viewing. The gallery helps compare autumn river ledges with a winter cascade scene, but the season in a photo is not a current trail report.
Navigate to the park entrance
Use the GPS address on the official park page: 2470 Maple Glade Road in Oakland. Choose designated parking and follow the signed trail system. The historical directions to individual pools and rope swings have been removed because they do not establish a current authorized approach.
Check reservations before a summer visit
The park requires day-use reservations on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Review the current season's booking arrangements, charges and pet restrictions before setting out. A campsite booking and a waterfall visit are different planning questions; check what your reservation covers.
Separate waterfalls from a designated swim beach
This listing does not verify permission to enter the river pools. Moving water and wet ledges deserve caution even when a photo appears calm. For a swimming-focused day, the park's picnicking guide identifies a lake swimming beach at nearby Herrington Manor. Check that separate park's current access and conditions rather than treating it as a Swallow Falls river entrance.
Leave time for a land-based visit
Bring suitable trail footwear, allow time for the return walk and locate picnic facilities before relying on them. The published scenic trail distance describes park walking, not access to every historical swimming spot. Stay on authorized routes and skip rope swings or waterfall jumps.
Getting There
Use the official GPS address, 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, Maryland 21550. Follow designated parking and signed park trails. Old separate swimming-pool and rope-swing routes have been removed; the retained coordinate is not a verified water entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The park lists 8 a.m. to sunset. Day-use reservations are required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Check the current season's pet restrictions and alerts.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Confirm current water-use rules with park staff. Waterfall photos and historical swimming reports do not establish permission or safe depth. Herrington Manor has a separately documented lake swimming beach. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Swallow Falls Campground
Campground
0.2 mi
4.5 (42)
Oakland, MD 21550
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Swallow Falls
Parking
0.4 mi
4.7 (123)
Oakland, MD 21550
Swallow Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
0.4 mi
4.9 (411)
2470 Maple Glade Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
2.5 mi
5 (1)
Snaggy Mountain Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Park Office / Ranger Station
Park
3.2 mi
2-398 Herrington Ln, Oakland, MD 21550
Herrington Manor State Park
State park
3.2 mi
4.7
222 Herrington Ln, Oakland, MD 21550
Year-round recreation on 365 acres with a massive lake plus cabins, swimming beach & fishing pier.
Broadford Park
Park
6.8 mi
4.4 (315)
123 Recreation Ln, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550
Barbecue grillBaseball fieldBasketball courtPicnic tables
Frequently Asked Questions About Swallow Falls State Park Swimming Spots
Do I need a summer day-use reservation?
The park requires reservations on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Check current booking details before travel.
What address should I use?
The park's GPS address is 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, Maryland 21550.
Are the river swimming spots officially verified?
No. Ask park staff about the specific location and current water-use rules.
Is there a nearby designated swimming beach?
The park guide identifies a lake swimming beach at Herrington Manor. Check that separate park's current conditions and access.
Highlights
Youghiogheny River gorge scenery
Muddy Creek Falls viewing
Separate lake swim-beach option nearby
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Stay on authorized paths and away from unstable waterfall edges
- Do not jump, use rope swings or infer a child's safety from a shallow-looking photo
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Once a Native American trail and later a retreat for industrialists, the park reflects the rich history of the region and its natural resources.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Four reviewed landscape photos show autumn river ledges, a winter waterfall viewpoint, a smaller cascade and a wooded creek. Watermarked and visitor frames were withheld.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Help preserve the park by following Leave No Trace principles. Avoid littering and respect wildlife habitats to keep the ecosystem thriving.
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Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Select a permitted reservation window when required and allow time to finish within park hours.
Difficulty Level
The park describes a roughly 1.25-mile scenic trail; this is not a validated swimming approach or an accessibility guarantee.
Fee
State park admission charges vary by season and visitor residency. Check current per-person versus per-vehicle charges and any required reservation.
Facilities
On-site toilets and picnic tables make for a comfortable visit. Camping options are available at Swallow Falls and Deep Creek Lake State Parks.
Activities
Waterfall viewing, authorized hiking, photography and picnicking; river swimming permission unverified
Phone
301-387-6938 (Swallow Falls park office; not an emergency number)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Check the official park camping and reservation pages. No permission to camp at individual waterfall pools verified.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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