Trip Planner: USA / Maryland / Garrett County / Oakland / Nature / Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park, Oakland

4.6

#2 of 13 in Things to do in Garrett County

Water Body Nature / Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park is a Maryland state park in Garrett County. The park surrounds Deep Creek Lake, a reservoir that was created with the construction of the Deep Creek Dam in 1923 by the Pennsylvania Electric Company on a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. In 2000, the state of Maryland purchased the land underlying the lake and buffer zone properties for $17 million. The state park is about from Interstate 68 on U.S. Route 219.Activities and amenitiesThe lake is used for boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, and canoeing. The park offers 112 campsites, 26 with electricity. American black bears are occasionally seen in the campground. There are also trails for hiking and mountain biking.Deep Creek Lake Discovery CenterThe Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center is the park's environmental center, and contains interpretive exhibits about the area's natural, cultural and local history. Naturalists, rangers and volunteers give daily educational programs about nature and the environment. The 6000sqft facility has exhibits on local plants and wildlife, the lake and its watershed, conservation issues, and local coal and logging industrial activities.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

229 reviews

Google

4.7

PSUFamilyof4

We visited Deep Creek Lake over the Memorial Day weekend. We used the state park to launch our pontoon from. It's centrally located on the lake which was very convenient to our rental home. Launch fee... more »
smem419

State park has Sandy beach.....bath house with showers and changing rooms. In season they will open a snack shop. Great playground near the lake for the children. There is a discovery center that is w... more »
Chris H

Deep creek was a great family vacation. So much to do and see. We rented a boat for half a day and drove around the lake, tubing and swam for a bit. Water was clean and refreshing. There is a beach ar... more »

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Google

Jonathan Collum

We had a fantastic time here hiking and visiting the discovery center. They have a good number of trails and you can even visit a mine from the early part of the 20th century. I can't say it was much to look at but an interesting history lesson on the area and a not overly challenging hike. The discovery center was great as well with displays on a variety of local animals inside. We were also fortunate to catch a talk on a great horned owl. Despite the rain we also ventured out to see the other large birds of prey in the aviary nearby. They have at least 10 birds including owls, eagles, falcons, and hawks, and a turkey buzzard. Well worth the visit.

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Eric M Griffin

Very clean and the staff is very informative. Neat assortment of animals and reptiles on site. Plenty of opportunities to trick your children into an educational experience without them knowing.

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Dan Frazier

Great campground for tents. Sites level & easy on the stakes. They charge to enter the beach(unless you have a camp site) . The main lake is not good for kayaks, big waves & boats.

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Jason Sutherland

Absolutely beautiful sample of Western Maryland nature, just too many people. The lake is an absolute zoo and with mostly inexperienced rental boaters, quite dangerous too. Full disclosure, we were there over the 4th of July holiday so it's likely better during less peak dates.

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Rick Obear

Nice little park. Kayak and SUP rentals are available. The Discovery center and aviary are worth a look.

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