Western Maryland the perfect Weekend getaway
Western Maryland is an outdoor paradise teeming with hiking, lakes, mountains. There are so many incredible state parks and some historic towns such as Cumberland and Hagerstown. Learn more below about how to get there, where to stay and top things to do in this Western Maryland Weekend Getaway guide.
getting there
If you are flying to the area, the closest major airports are Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) or Washington Dulles International airport (IAD). Depending on which area you are staying in the drive will be slightly different. We based ourselves in Grantsville, Maryland so I will use that as a guide for driving times. The drive from PIT is 107 miles or 2 hours. The drive from IAD airport is 164 miles or 2 hours 33 minutes. Baltimore is about 165 miles or a 2 hour 30 minutes drive. Charleston, West Virginia is about 202 miles away or 3 hour drive.
getting Around
The best way to get around the area is by having your own car and driving. Western Maryland is like a hidden gem and doesn’t have a lot of public transportation or lots of tours to these areas. You are going to have a lot more flexibility having a car. Once you are in some of these state parks you will want your hiking shoes for exploration.
where to stay in western Maryland
Western Maryland is a very big area. There are so many wonderful places to stay.
During our trip we stayed in Grantsville at the Casselman Inn. There is also a Comfort Inn in Grantsville. Grantsville is a very small town but was in a good location for us seeing a bunch around the area.
A lot of people choose to stay around Deep Creek Lake as a base. There are so many hotels and house rentals available. This area can be very popular so booking in advance is recommended. If you are going off season you will have more options for cheaper prices.
Frostburg and Cumberland are a little more east but have an array of hotel options for all budgets.
Oakland has some motels and some camping accommodations.
The state parks have options for camping as well. Reservations can by made by calling 1-888-432-CAMP or by visiting parkreservations.maryland.gov.
when to visit Western Maryland
This area of the state of Maryland is absolutely beautiful year-round and wonderful to visit.
Summer is great for lake activities and winter is great for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Areas such as Deep Creek Lake are very popular in the summer and fall.
We went Labor Day weekend for a weekend getaway. Labor Day weekend is a fairly busy time to visit the area and is the last weekend of higher charges at the state parks. The weather was great though- still perfect for swimming and outdoor activities!
Fees
There are fees to several of the state parks in the area. Swallow Falls State Park and Deep Creek Lake charges $3/person in state and $5/person out of state Memorial Day through Labor Day and switches to charge per vehicle other part of the year. Rocky Gap charges per person on weekends and holidays and by vehicle otherwise. New Germany State Park has no fees for day use admission. If you are interested Maryland has a year pass called the Maryland Park Service Passport for all state parks for $75 for Maryland residents
things to do in Western Maryland
New Germany State Park
New Germany State Park is a great state park for day use without any fee. You can hike, swim, boat, fish and more. During late spring to fall, kayak, canoe, paddleboard rentals are available. Camping is also available for a fee.
Grantsville
Grantsville, Maryland is a great little town to stop at (or stay at like we did!) It has the Casselman River Bridge State Park. (Currently you cannot walk on the bridge but even viewing from the road is beautiful). There is also the Spruce Forest Artesian Village with cute little shops of local artists.
Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake is a huge attraction in the area. It is the state’s largest freshwater lake and is surrounded by beautiful forests and hills. During the summer it is popular for boating, fishing, swimming and during the winter there is skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing. The Deep Creek Lake State Park is popular for hiking. There are lots of restaurants, bars and activities to do.
Swallow Falls State Park
Swallow Falls State Park is a popular attraction in Western Maryland. It has Maryland’s tallest waterfall Muddy Creek Falls (a 53-ft waterfall) and it is surrounded by scenic trails and forests. Other waterfalls include Tolliver Falls, and Upper and Lower Swallow Falls
Herrington Manor State Park
Herrington Manor State Park is a 365 acre park located within Garrett State Forest. This park has a beautiful lake for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing. There are also areas for tennis, basketball, volleyball and 20 furnished cabins for rental year round. There are 12 miles of trails to explore.
Trust me you are going to love exploring the outdoors on your weekend getaway to Western Maryland. It is a perfect escape into the beautiful and serene area. Don’t forget your hiking shoes! Western Maryland offers great nature and mountain charm in every season!
