Deep Creek Lake has activities for every season

Deep Creek Lake

The Lake Pointe Inn is a luxurious bed and breakfast refuge that dates back to the 1890s.

Written by LINDA HARKCOM

Many think of the Deep Creek Lake area of Garrett County, Maryland, as a summer hot spot, but they might be surprised to know it is actually a four-seasons vacation destination.

“Deep Creek Lake is the most popular tourist attraction in Garrett County, bringing in visitors in the spring, summer and fall, but Garrett County is also home to the state’s only ski resort, Wisp Resort, a popular destination for skiers, snowboarders and snowtubers to head for their winter getaways,” says Sarah Duck, Vice President of Tourism and Marketing for the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.

At 3,900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline, Duck says that Deep Creek Lake offers a wide variety of waterbased activities.

“From boating, fishing, kayaking and tubing to personal watercraft, wakeboarding, swimming and canoeing, Deep Creek Lake offers plenty of on-the-water fun for every member of the family,” Duck says.

Deep Creek Lake State Park is located in the heart of Garrett County. Katy Barger, Director of the Discovery Center and Park Ranger Lead at Deep Creek Lake State Park, part of the Maryland Park Service, says the park receives more than 1.4 million visitors each year.

“From exploring our reptiles in the Nature Center to fishing our shorelines, Deep Creek Lake State Park offers something for all its visitors,” Barger says.

According to Barger, the park con-

Not Just a Summer Destination

Wisp Resort offers 34 slopes and trails, terrain parks, a snow tubing park, and a slope-side hotel. tains 1,800 acres of land, including a 112-site campground, a public beach area, 20-mile trail system and the Discovery Center.

“The Discovery Center is a big draw to visitors in the Deep Creek Lake area. The Discovery Center is open all year long, providing activities for visitors, and the opportunity to learn about the history of Deep Creek and local flora and fauna they might encounter,” Barger says.

Just off the Discovery Center, Barger says, visitors can enjoy stopping by the Scales & Tales aviary to visit the park’s avian ambassadors.

“If staff or volunteers are on-site at the aviary, park guests may get the awesome opportunity to watch these birds of prey do their daily training and enrichment,” Barger says.

Deep Creek Lake State Park manages a mile of shoreline along the 3,900-acre man-made lake.

“On any given summer day, you will find many visitors enjoying our two public beaches, picnicking in the shade, playing on our playgrounds and splashing in the water. With having the only public beaches along the 65 miles of shoreline, this is a large draw. Everyone wants to enjoy the grass and sand, and safely swim in the water,” Barger says.

One of the lesser known attractions at the park is the Thayerville Firetower located on top of Meadow Mountain. Berger says the park offers open hours and tours there through

out the year.

“Climbing this historic Firetower, built in 1921, offers you an amazing and scenic view of the lake,” Burger says.

The park also offers specialized trail systems designed for mountain bike use. Duck says that Garrett County has a total of 40 trails for hikers and bikers to enjoy.

Garrett County also features Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall, at 53 feet. This natural wonder is located at Swallow Falls State Park, which occupies 90,000 acres of public land, more than any other county in Maryland. Duck also recommends Backbone Mountain, with its elevation of 3,360 feet, makes it the highest point in the state.

“Muddy Creek Falls gets a lot of attention, but Tolliver Falls, also located at Swallow Falls State Park, is a beautiful, albeit, smaller waterfall that you don’t want to miss at this popular park,” Duck says. “And just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop by the waterfalls. They are gorgeous in the winter time and have even been known to freeze over.”

Yet another attraction in the Deep Creek area is Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland.

“Our resort offers a one-stop shop,” says Lori Zaloga, Director of Marketing for PGRI East Coast Properties which owns Wisp. “We have lodging, dining, and activities. You can park and not have to leave. But that being said there are also many things to do in the area like the state parks, other restaurants and small towns to explore.”

Wisp is best known for its winter activities.

“With 34 slopes and trails, terrain parks, a snow tubing park, and a slope-side hotel, Wisp Resort offers visitors a complete winter experience,” Duck says.

According to Zaloga, the winter sports experience this coming year will be even better, especially for those who are new to skiing and snowboarding thanks to an enlarged beginner area.

“It is huge,” Zaloga says. “There is a slope called Sunset Boulevard, and it is totally now a boulevard. We added three progressive conveyor carpets and more snow making. It will make our guests feel more comfortable.”

Zaloga notes that Sunset Boulevard is designed to give more room to beginners as well as those returning to the sport more room.

“We want to be the spot for beginners,” Zaloga says. “So this is a huge feat for us.”

But Zaloga points out that Wisp isn’t just for those who enjoy winter activities, adding that it is a welcoming four season resort with something for everyone.

“There is something to do here in all of the seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter,” Zaloga says. “That is the appeal of Deep Creek, it is never off season here. It is truly a four-season resort that offers something for everyone.”

One of those four-season activities is the Mountain Coaster, which Zaloga describes as a hybrid between a rollercoaster

At 53 feet, Muddy Creek Falls stands out as Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall.

The Deep Creek Lake area spans 3,600 acres in Garret County and offers vacation activities for all seasons.

on rails and the Alpine Slide that one might find at other ski resorts. The one-person coaster cart starts out with an approximately 3 minute uphill climb on an automated pulley. Then the rider experiences a gravitational ride down from the top to the bottom that lasts between 5 and 7 minutes, depending on the rider’s comfortability. Zaloga says that while there are some weather-related closures, the Mountain Coaster is open year-round.

Another major attraction at Wisp is the Adventure Sports Center International, the world’s only mountaintop recirculating whitewater course. Located on top of Wisp Mountain, the third-mile long gravitational course has features that can be made bigger or smaller based upon the experience of those white water rafting or kayaking.

“It is a man-made recirculating river that we can regulate the water flow and rapids. It is very unique to the area,” Zaloga says.

The course, that is open from Memorial Day to early October, Zaloga says, is great for beginners and families.

“We have people along the course that regulate the river, which makes it more secure than natural rapids,” Zaoga says.

To find out more about special events and activities at the state park, Barger recommends following the Discovery Center & Deep Creek Lake State Park Volunteers Facebook page. To learn more about attractions in Garrett County, go to www.visitdeepcreek.com.

The more-modest Tolliver Falls, located at Swallow Falls State Park, makes a scenic hiking destination even in the colder months.