Nature has always been a source of refreshment for every human being across the globe. No matter whether they are mountains, sea beaches, rainforests, or waterfalls.
In the same way, waterfalls in the United States are also quite some sources of entertainment, and the best among them are in the Maryland region of the states.
1. Background Brief of Waterfalls in Maryland
Out of all the magnificent creations of nature, waterfalls stand out alone, being the perennial source of greenery. This blessing of nature is significantly found in Maryland in quite a good handful amount.
Scattered all over the state, it becomes quite difficult to find the best out of the rest. But with some genuine research and proper falls, here are some of the best waterfalls in Maryland.
Among all these, Swallow Falls State Park beholds the fame of having three of the best waterfalls in Maryland. Not only this but there are a lot of other waterfalls in Maryland which may vary from different lengths but are quite worthy of visiting and giving you a breathtaking experience for a break in life.
Out of all the possible waterfalls in Maryland to visit, there are some waterfalls that you cannot miss at any cost, like Cunningham Falls, which is termed as the largest cascading waterfall, and the Muddy Creek Falls, which is the highest free-falling waterfall.
2. Waterfalls in Maryland
Out of all the beauty of nature displayed in the most unexpected places, Maryland is home to a number of stunning and eye-catching waterfalls. Out of all these, some are pretty famous and popular, but there are also some which are hidden gems and need to come into the limelight so that people can enjoy the natural beauty.
Maryland is filled with these breathtaking views at every other spot. Starting from the west to the Chesapeake Bay in the East, the waterfalls are sprinkled throughout the state, which literally needs to be explored by the tourists.
So, collecting all the needed information from nature, here are some of the top waterfalls in Maryland to visit and explore.
2.1 Cunningham Falls, Thurmont
A proper destination for the gorgeous waterfall, Cunningham Falls State Park is a great place to visit in the summer and also for the weekend vibes. Cunningham Falls is also known as the tallest waterfall in the state, which attracts a lot of tourists to explore its beauty.
If you are chasing the waterfalls, then there are also smaller waterfalls cascading through the park, which are as beautiful as the original one. Apart from just clicking some marvellous pictures, the tourists can also enjoy hiking and mountain biking trails and muddy creek great falls.
2.1.1 The Tourist’s Favorite Cunningham Falls
Interested tourists can also explore some outdoor activities like camping and fishing. Paralyzed tourists can also take the bloom of the scenic beauty of the Cunningham Falls from the boardwalk trail, which gives you the facility of a wheelchair and accessible stroller. Regular tourists can enjoy taking steps and climbing through the rocks.
The availability of the two trails also helps out as the lower trail, which is a half-mile trail to the waterfall, is also quite easy. This trail is mainly suitable for senior citizens. The other trail is called Cliff Trail and is a little more challenging and longer route, but it gives enough fun.
2.2 Muddy Creek Falls, Oakland
A perfect serene place that can make you feel aww and beautiful at the same time is the Muddy Creek Falls, which is located in Western Maryland and gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy the finest part of nature.
This is a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers who walk along to enjoy the natural beauty of the rushing water and please their ears with the peaceful sound of the great falls. This waterfall is more impressive as it is almost 54 feet, and this makes it one of the great falls and so popular.
This Muddy Creek Falls is considered the largest waterfall in the Swallow Falls State Park, and slowly, it also became the highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland.
2.3 Kilgore Falls
A stunning and breathtaking waterfall is located in the Rocks State Park, Pylesville, in Harford County, Kilgore Falls is one of the great falls that you really can’t miss visiting at any cost. This Kilgore Falls in Maryland is also known as Falling Branch Falls for some.
Cascading over a rocky outcropping into a large pool below, the falls go deep down up to 17 feet high, and this Kilgore fall has been listed as the second-highest vertical drop waterfall in Maryland.
2.3.1 Travelling Plans for Kilgore Falls
You can easily plan to travel here in the summer also, as the surroundings and the environment of the landscape are filled with lush forests, with trees being the source of much-needed shade on the hot summer days.
The fall is loved and visited by a lot of hikers and nature lovers who love to travel here with enthusiasm, and the hilltop parking lot can also be accessed.
With the proper modern facility and the help of the amazing swimming hole at the bottom of the falls, swimming is also facilitated here. But on a priority basis, you need to keep a strict eye on your kid as there are no lifeguards in the falls.
2.4 Swallow Falls, Oakland
Being a part of the Youghiogheny River in Garrett County, the Swallow falls state park is a lovely spot to visit, which gives you the experience of rushing waterfalls added with some scenic beauties which can make you go wonders.
Making it quite easy to hike, there is a 3-mile loop trail that becomes the nearest tourist attraction, which can steal your eyes out of every other thing. Apart from this, there are also a lot of other multiple outlooks which, in the best way, provide you with some breathtaking views of the great falls.
On a very optimistic basis, the Swallow Falls State Park is officially designed as an official state park of Maryland, which gives it another reason for the visitors to enjoy the available facilities, which also include picnic spots and modern restrooms.
With the given outcomes, Swallow Falls State Park stands out as an excellent destination for you to have a peaceful and quality time with your family, and also, if you want to have a challenging hike as a youngster, then the availability also facilitates you.
2.5 Great Falls of the Potomac
Being of the impressive features of the Potomac River, which has been able to sling out some great gorges through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great falls park of Potomac is something really stunning to look out for.
Located just downstream from the Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, this is one of those waterfalls in Maryland which provides you with whitewater rafting along with the hot summer sun, which gives a sigh of relief.
The location is also quite easy to locate as it is present just about an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. The speciality stands out as these great falls are not one but a series of 20-foot falls cascading and plunging 76 feet altogether.
2.5.1 Specialities of Great Falls
With all the speciality, this Great Falls of the Potomac stands as the second largest waterfall on the Eastern Seaboard, after Niagara Falls. Although this place can be visited and enjoyed throughout the year, the falls become extremely impressive when the high flow time initiates.
It is around this that, when huge volumes of water start rushing over the cliffs, a spectacular display of white foam and spray starts forming around, creating a visual extravaganza.
Photographers, hikers, kayakers, and others who love nature find the Great Falls of the Potomac a popular destination to spend time in. Along with all these great scenic beauties, there also exists the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, which becomes the visual puller for every other visitor pulling towards American history as they explore.
2.6 Raven Rock Falls, Parkton
Located in Gunpowder Falls State Park, Raven Rock Falls, Parkton is a lavishing 25-foot cascading waterfall in Maryland, which is counted as one of the best cascade falls or beautiful waterfalls. Falling in Baltimore County, Gunpowder Falls State Park, a cascade falls which stands out as a perennial fall going overhead all other beauty.
Being a perennial cascade falls, it becomes interesting to enjoy the beauty of this Gunpowder falls during the rainy season, and mainly after the rains. This is because the flow rate mostly varies from higher to lower depending upon the weather and the volume of flowing.
Due to its sliding landscape, Gunpowder Falls State Park makes itself better as it provides different views from the other present waterfalls due to its sliding landscape, and it is another reason why it warns for more caution while climbing as the rocky terrain becomes quite slippery.
2.7 Gunpowder Falls
A paradise for all nature lovers and designated as Maryland’s largest state park, Gunpowder Falls is one of the best nature can offer to you. Featuring over 120 miles of hiking trails, this park provides you with fishing as well as boating and rafting on the Gunpowder River.
Other social entertainments such as picnicking, camping, and horseback riding are also some activities that can be enjoyed at Gunpowder Falls.
2.7.1 Main Attractions Of Gunpowder Falls
Gunpowder Falls has got its main attractions shifted towards Little and Big Gunpowder Falls, which undoubtedly pulls the attraction towards its scenic beauty. This makes the whole park a hotspot for all photographers and sightseers across Maryland.
The Big and Little Gunpowder Falls can be found around the central area of the Park. Likewise, the park also turns out as a home for an abundance of wildlife, which includes animals like deer, raccoons, squirrels, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. This becomes existence due to the deep forests, rushing streams, and towering cliffs, making it enormously beautiful.
The weekend gets quite unrealistic with the artificial setting, so to take a break and get a peaceful getaway from the mundane world towards a beautiful natural setting, Gunpowder Falls is the best setting for a perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature without a pinch of doubt.
2.8 Tolliver Falls, Oakland
Out of all the eye-catching great falls in Maryland, Tolliver Falls is one among them, which is something to look out for by the visitors without hesitating once. This Tolliver Falls is located in Swallow Falls State Park and holds great excitement to be visited.
Being one of Maryland’s hidden gems, Tolliver Falls is a beautiful site to visit, although it is not as popular or as vast as the other falls are. The Falling Creek in the Swallow Fall State Park facilitates activities like swimming, camping, hiking, picnicking, and many more, which makes it an interesting place to visit.
As a very limited number of people are aware of this waterfall, and it is not explored much, very little traffic is seen here among the visitors. This becomes treason, why you should especially choose this if you are looking for some calm and relaxing experience in the weekends.
2.9 Cascade Falls, Elkridge
A beautiful and serene waterfall that falls from only 9 feet in height, this Cascade Falls in Elkridge is something small yet memorable to visit. The location of the waterfall can be traced near Patapsco Valley State Park, which makes it quite easy to go, as transportation is quite easily available.
Likewise, the trail of Cascade Falls is only longs about 2 miles long, which makes it quite steep in places. Otherwise, the whole waterfall never makes you feel challenged. Apart from every other season, what makes it interesting to visit in the summer is that this fall is its plunge pool, where visitors can have a swimming session to avoid the scorching summer heat.
3. Conclusion
Wrapping all the information around, this shows how waterfalls in mushroomed Maryland make it quite of a visiting destination for every other person without a pinch of salt in the heart.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
