Planning your stay is easy with all of the activities around the Deep Creek Lake area.
Deep Creek Lake is Maryland's largest freshwater lake with 67 miles of beautiful shoreline. Located in the scenic mountains of Western Maryland, this resort destination offers recreation and relaxation all year long.
Whether you prefer excitement and thrilling activities or just the enjoyment of the abundant natural beauty of the lake, you will find it close by The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow on Deep Creek Lake.
Year-Round Fun
Check out these web sites for the latest information about fun, food and happenings around Deep Creek Lake.
Wisp Resort is the premier four seasons resort at Deep Creek Lake. Skiing, snow boarding, snow tubing, golfing, tennis, spa, mountain biking, paintball, fly fishing school, and skate park ... Wisp has it all, all year around. Call 800-462-9477 or visit www.wispresort.com
Smiley's Funzone and Pizzeria offers year-round family fun with a wide selection of video games, arcade games, indoor laser tag, go cart racing, fun photos, and food. Call 301-387-0059 or visit www.smileysfunzone.com.
Funland is open for fun, rain or shine. They have Arcades, go karts, bumper cars, a climbing wall, water wars, and miniature golf. Call 301-387-6168 or visit www.deepcreekfunland.com.
Garrett 8 Cinemas is an eight screen delight for the vacationing movie lover. First run films, plenty of seating and its central location on the Lake make it a year-round favorite. Check out the movie listings at www.garrett8cinema.com or 301-387-2500.
Adventure Sprots Center International (ASCI) operates the world’s only mountaintop whitewater course, and introduces thousands of people to guided rafting and other adventure sport activities each year. Call 1-877-300-2724 or visit www.adventuresportscenter.com.
Dining
Some local restaurants, bars and eateries are listed below. A more comprehensive list with menus and directions is available online at www.deepcreekdining.com.
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Cornish Manor Restaurant and Lounge 301-334-6499
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Fireside Deli and Wine Shop 301-387-0083
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DC's Bar & Restaurant at Wisp Resort 301-387-5503
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JG's Pub 301-387-6369
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The Boardwalk 301-387-5001 (boat accessible at The Boardwalk dock)
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Winter Activities
Deep Creek Lake is like a winter wonderland during this time of year, with an average of 110 inches of snowfall the area is transformed by Mother Nature into a little Switzerland.
Downhill Skiing and Snow Boarding at Wisp Resort offers winter sports of every kind for people of all ages. Downhill skiing and snow boarding just keep getting better with new slopes, snowboard park, and new lodge facilities. Ski schools provide classes for beginners to experts and from pre-kindergarten to seniors. Snow tubing in the tube park provides a fun alternative for non-skiers. 301-387-4911 www.wispresort.com
Hiking and Cross Country Skiing allow you to enjoy this season firsthand. The state parks offer miles of hiking trails for everyone including cross country skiing enthusiasts. Six miles of maintained trails and primitive trails are available at Herrington Manor. Deep Creek and Swallow Falls State Parks also provide marked hiking trails which can be used by cross-country skiers. New Germany provides cleared and maintained trails as well as a snow cleared parking lot.
Summer Activities
Water Sports are very popular summer activities Deep Creek Lake. Powerboats and jet skis are available for rent at local marinas. For the sailboat enthusiast you will enjoy the exciting regattas that take place on the southern end of the lake near The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow. Boat and water sports equipment rentals as well as all the other outdoor gear you'll need can be found at these nearby locations:
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Bill's Marine 301-387-5536
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Bill's Outdoor Center 301-387-3474 (water sports equipment rentals, outdoor gear)
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Deep Creek Marina 301-387-6977 or 301-387-5616
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Deep Creek Lake Rentals 301-387-9130
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Sailboat Races Memorial Day through Labor Day every Saturday, Sunday, and holidays on the southern end of the lake; competition (open to the public) begins at 12 noon on Saturday and 1 PM on Sunday; races are one-design featuring Flying Scots and Lasers.
Whitewater rafting and Canoeing offer excitement and amazing scenery just minutes away from Deep Creek Lake. You can enjoy Whitewater rafting on the gentle waters of the Middle Youghiogheny or the challenging rapids of the Upper Yough. Want something more low key? You can also enjoy the scenery by canoeing and kayaking on the Savage and Youghiogheny Rivers.
Golf is available on two championship golf courses. The fantastic mountain scenery and the cool highland temperatures enhance the experience of these challenging mountain courses.
Tennis can be played on public tennis courts available at various locations in the county.
Fishing for bass, pike, walleye, bluegill and trout is excellent at Deep Creek Lake. This area of Western Maryland is also Fly Fishing heaven as three of the top trout streams in the state are located within a short drive of The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow.
Hiking and Biking in Garrett County offers you choices of miles of trails through state parks and the surrounding countryside. We have something for everyone regardless of your expertise. Escaping to the beautiful scenery of the state parks with miles of marked trails offers great fun for the entire family. Take a picnic lunch along and spend the day enjoying all that these Maryland state parks have to offer. Bicycle renting is available at local bike shops.
Right on the shores of the lake, Deep Creek Lake State Park offers sandy beaches for swimming and sunning as well as a public access boat ramp to get your private boats on and off the water easily. At nearby Swallow Falls, hike along the banks of two rivers that converge into one while experiencing the woodland majesty of Tolliver Falls and Maryland's largest waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls. Information on additional local State Parks can be found below.
Horseback Riding opportunities are abundant at three different local stables. They offer the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Garrett County by horseback. Several stables also offer hayrides, carriage rides, trail rides, and overnight pack trips are available.
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Western Trails - Beginner to expert; rent by the hour, 1/2 day or all day trail rides; hayrides; open year-round; Mayhew Inn Road, Oakland. 301-387-6155 or 301-387-6890
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Small Oaks Riding Stables - Shaded trail rides; horseback riding by the hour for all ages; pony rentals; buggy rides; hayrides; sleigh rides in winter; call for appointments; open year-round; Off Broadford Road, Oakland. 301-334-5733 or 301-334-4991
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Broken Bar Riding Stables - Trail rides; pony rides; hayrides; horse drawn carriage and sleigh rides (weather dependent); open year-round; 907 Old Wilson Road, Swanton. 301-334-3114
Other Activities Besides all these recreational activities, there are sites such as the Craneville Sub-Artic Swamp and Backbone Mountain and numerous events scheduled to entertain you. These include the McHenry Highland Festival held in June, the American Indian Inter-Tribal Cultural Organization Pow Wow, the annual 4th of July celebration, Summerfest and Quilt Show, and many more.
Fall Activities
For many visitors to Deep Creek Lake, the fall offers a world of spectacular fall colors as the trees display their own "Autumn Glory". The lake area is beautiful and peaceful this time of year as the summer winds down. While you can still continue to power boat and sail into the fall, the autumn air is crisp so dress warmly-and is there a better way to view the fall foliage than by water? We don't think so. The fishing can also be fantastic this time of year as the fish stock up on forage for the approaching winter.
Autumn Glory Festival is a most anticipated event at Deep Creek for Fall visitors. The annual Autumn Glory Festival is held in mid-October in nearby Oakland, Maryland. For three days the town hosts many great events such as sthe Maryland State Banjo and Fiddle Championships, parades, Oktoberfests, pancake breakfasts, arts and crafts, antiques, a wide variety of foods, and more. Be sure to book The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow early as this is one of the most popular weekends all year!
Exploring the Trails by horseback is a relaxing but exciting way to spend an autumn day. Hayrides, carriage rides as well as overnight pack trips are also available. With 74,000 acres of state forests, hiking and mountain biking are a great way to see this amazing area and the beautiful fall scenery.
Hunting, of course, has always been a popular sport in Garrett County. The state of Maryland maintains over 70,000 acres of hunting land available to the public. Deer hunting, turkey season and small game hunting are all available in the fall. Check out one of the local sporting stores for licenses and supplies as well as the various state parks for additional information.
Local Attractions
There are many attractions located within an hour's drive of Deep Creek Lake, including several fantastic State Parks. Below we've listed a few of the main attractions in several nearby towns as well as a quick guide to local parks.
State Parks and Forests
Deep Creek Lake State Park and Discovery Center is located on the shores of Deep Creek Lake off State Park Road. The park features sandy beaches, picnic areas, public boat launch ramp, trails, and a year-round educational building called Discovery Center. 301-387-7067
Swallow Falls State Park is located seven miles west of The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow and north of Oakland, Maryland. The Youghiogheny River flows along the park's borders passing through shaded rocky gorges and creating rippling rapids that are great for swimming. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 63-foot waterfall - a spectacular sight. Tall hemlocks dominate the silent woods. The meandering trails through Swallow Falls guide hikers to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Western Maryland. 301-334-9180
Herrington Manor State Park has a lake with sandy beaches as well as miles of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. 301-334-9180
New Germany State Park also has a lake with swimming areas and small boat/canoe rentals. The facilities include wonderful picnic areas with pavilions and lots of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. 301-895-5759
Savage River State Park features 54,000 acres of public lands, ATV and snowmobiling trails, horseback riding trails and hiking/biking trails. It offers abundant opportunity for hunting and fishing. 301-895-5759
Grantsville
In 1785 Daniel Grant of Baltimore acquired an 1100 acre tract of land called "Cornucopia." Today, that area has become known as the town of Grantsville and is located about 25 minutes from The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow. It is named in honor of Daniel Grant and is known for the several attractions including:
Casselman River Bridge was built in 1813. It was the largest single-span stone arch bridge (80 feet) in the 19th Century connecting the nation's first Federal Highway. A picnic area with fireplaces is available. The bridge is located on Route 40 east of Grantsville near the Casselman Inn. 301-895-5055
Penn Alps was originally called "Little Crossings Inn." It was the original stagecoach stop of the National Road. The "Little Crossings Inn" was built in 1818 and presently houses a restaurant and a large craft market with local artisans. 301-895-5985
Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville is a seasonal attraction which boasts quaint craft log cabins operated by local artisans. 301-895-3332 www.spruceforest.com
In the town of Bittinger on the way to Grantsville plan to stop at Brenneman's Grove. Located just outside the town of Bittinger, it is one of the most beautiful groves in the area. Maple syrup products are available for sale at local stores. Early spring is also the time for sugaring or the making of maple syrup.
Oakland
The Historic Town of Oakland is located about 15 minutes from The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow. The towns of Oakland, Mountain Lake Park and Loch Lynn Heights were founded as magnificent resort towns with ornate hotels and a thriving cultural atmosphere in the 1800's. Called "The American Switzerland", the area was a popular vacation destination well before the advent of automobile travel. The Oakland area features:
B&O Railroad Station in Oakland brought prominent citizens to the resort areas of Garrett County in the 1880's. Built in 1884 this station is one of the oldest in the country.
Broadford Recreation Area is a relaxing park featuring a 138 acre lake with 700 feet of beach, bath house, concession building, boat ramp for row boats and picnic grounds for a nominal admission fee. Off Pittsburgh Avenue in Mountain Lake Park, just outside of Oakland.
Cranesville is a sub-artic swamp. This swamp is a natural phenomenon of Mother Nature. The natural growth including rare flora found in the swamp is indigenous to the artic regions. Cranesville is at Muddy Creek Road in Oakland. 301-334-1948
Pennington Cottage at Deer Park was built in 1892. It is a large three story summer cottage with fourteen rooms. The Pennington Cottage is presently the Deer Park Inn, a restaurant and bed & breakfast. The Deer Park Inn is located on Route 135 Old Oakland and Deer Park Road in Mountain Lake Park.
"Our Fathers House" was one of the last log churches in use today. It is located on Route 135 on Backbone Mountain near Altamont.
Frostburg
Frostburg is located about 35 minutes from The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow. Frostburg was one of the main historic towns that helped create the great eastern expansion toward the west. The town provides the following attractions:
Arts Alive Professional ballet symphony performances, renowned artists - Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. 301-687-4141
Fallinger's Hotel Gunter First opened in 1897; once housed a speakeasy during Prohibition; the hotel features a massive stairway, jail and gamecock fighting area; tours by appointment - 11 West Main Street, Frostburg, MD. 301-689-6511
Thrasher Carriage Museum sleighs, carriages, stagecoaches and horses - Frostburg Depot, Frostburg, MD. 301-689-1221
Cumberland
The Historic Town of Cumberland is located about 45 minutes from The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow and offers many attractions including:
Scenic Western Maryland Railroad Mountain Thunder Route; a 32 mile (3 hour) round trip ride between Frostburg and Cumberland aboard a 1916 Baldwin Steam Locomotive. 800-TRAIN-50
Summerfield Aviation Scenic rides available over beautiful Garrett and Allegheny Counties departing from the Cumberland Regional Airport. 301-738-2252
Transportation & Industry Museum Displays on railroad, canals and other industries that contributed to the region's recognition as a major transportation center in the 1800's; 1913 station; also gallery gift shop; free self guided walking tour of the historic district of Washington Street at the Western Maryland Station Center, 13 Canal Street, Cumberland. 301-777-3553
Washington's Headquarters Served as George Washington's headquarters during the French and Indian Wars; built 1755; tours by appointment at Riverside Park, Greene Street, Cumberland. 301-777-5905
These are but a few of the interesting places to visit around the Deep Creek Lake area.
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