Embrace the Outdoors: Explore the Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Garrett County, Maryland
With the arrival of summer, it’s the perfect time to lace up your hiking boots, grab a water bottle, and embark on an outdoor adventure. Garrett County, Maryland, nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, offers an abundance of hiking and walking trails that showcase the region’s natural beauty. From lush forests and cascading waterfalls to panoramic vistas, these trails cater to all skill levels and provide opportunities to connect with nature. In this article, we will highlight some of the best hiking and walking trails in Garrett County, inviting you to explore the great outdoors.
Swallow Falls State Park is a true gem, boasting several beautiful hiking trails. The park’s main attraction is Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall. Take the easy 1.25-mile trail to witness the majestic cascade and continue to explore the park’s scenic surroundings. The Swallow Falls Canyon Loop Trail offers a moderate 1.25-mile hike through ancient hemlock forests, leading you to tranquil Swallow Falls and breathtaking Tolivar Falls.
Deep Creek Lake State Park not only offers water activities but also features picturesque hiking trails. The Indian Turnip Trail is a 1.4-mile loop trail that winds through hardwood forests and showcases stunning lake views. For a longer adventure, the Beckman’s Trail offers a 5.5-mile loop around the park, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the area’s diverse flora and nature.
Herrington Manor State Park is known for its serene lake, but it also offers fantastic trails to explore. The Hemlock Trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop that meanders through a beautiful forest of hemlock trees. For a longer hike, try the 6-mile Rock Maze Trail, which takes you on a journey through diverse landscapes, including scenic overlooks and the unique “rock maze” formation.
The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center features interpretive exhibits and educational programs, as well as nature trails. The Lake Shore Trail is a 1.4-mile easy hike that takes you along the picturesque shoreline of Deep Creek Lake. Keep an eye out for wildlife and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the lake.
Located just outside of Garrett County, Casselman River Bridge State Park offers a historic and scenic hiking experience. The park’s trails lead you to the iconic Casselman River Bridge, built in 1813. Explore the 0.25-mile self-guided interpretive trail to learn about the history and significance of the bridge, and then continue onto the Great Allegheny Passage, a long-distance hiking and biking trail that follows the path of the former Western Maryland Railway.
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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