Muddy Creek Falls
Garrett County, Maryland
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 53 ft (16.1 m)
- Location
- Garrett County, Maryland
- Access status
- Official state park falls on a published loop trail
- The walk
- About 300 yards each way to the overlook; the full Canyon Trail loop is about 1 to 1.25 miles
- Ground & access
- Wide path and boardwalk to the overlook; steps down to the base. Dirt trail along sandstone cliffs beyond. Rocks by the river are slippery.
Start at the main parking area just past the park entrance and go through the tall Canyon Trail entrance sign. At the fork about 50 yards in, bear left (north). Pass the small lot for wheelchair placard holders and follow the boardwalk. Where it ends, go down toward the gorge for the overlook, then bear left down to the base of the 53-foot falls. Continue on the loop past Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls, or return the same way.
Plan your visit
Swallow Falls State Park main lot on the Canyon Trail to Muddy Creek Falls
Andrew Wojtanik puts the first Muddy Creek Falls overlook about 300 yards into the hike. Maryland DNR describes the trail as 1 1/4 miles; the visitor account calls the loop roughly one mile.
Wide path and boardwalk to the overlook; steps down to the base. Dirt trail along sandstone cliffs beyond. Rocks by the river are slippery.
Where to start
Main parking area on the right just past the park entrance at 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland. A small separate lot near the falls serves vehicles with wheelchair placards.
Timing & water
Park hours 8 a.m. to sunset. Pets are not permitted in the day-use area, including the Canyon Trail, from May 23 through September 7, 2026.
Before you go
Maryland DNR: day-use reservations are required on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, made at parkdayuse.maryland.gov before arrival. A 2019 visitor account mentions paying an entrance fee; current amounts were not read on the park page.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Lower Swallow FallsPartial guide: official trail and fees documented; lower drop not named by DNRGarrett County, MD0.3 miS
Upper Swallow FallsState park loop trail; summer weekend reservations; no pets in summer16 ft (5 m) · Garrett County, MD0.4 miS- Tolliver FallsFalls on a published state park loop trailGarrett County, MD0.4 miS
- Matador FallsPreston County, WV19 miW
Cucumber FallsState park falls with a stairway from the parking area30 ft (9.1 m) · Fayette County, PA25 miN
Ohiopyle FallsOfficial day use area overlook beside parking20 ft (6.1 m) · Fayette County, PA26 miN- Albert FallsPartial guide: the falls is seen from a rail-trail; the exact viewing spot and the distance from parking are not statedTucker County, WV26 miS
- Douglas FallsTucker County, WV27 miS
Blackwater FallsRoute and parking documented; confirm current conditions.62 ft (19 m) · Tucker County, WV27 miS