Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls is one of Maryland's most beautiful waterfalls, and if you are looking for a day hike in Maryland, there are several trails to choose from. The trail to the waterfall is a short, two-mile hike with steep muddy sections and is suitable for beginners. There are also smaller cascades for quick dips during the warmer months.
Cascade Falls is located in Patapsco Valley State Park and is part of the Patapsco River. This park has a 2.3-mile trail, which is heavily trafficked. There is a small parking fee to access the falls, but overflow parking is available at Landing Road, which is free to use. Be sure to leave plenty of time to park your car and avoid parking on the street. You may have a ticket, and your vehicle may be towed, so plan your trip accordingly.
Falling Branch Falls
Falling Branch Falls, sometimes called Kilgore Falls, is located in Harford County. The park is in an environmentally sensitive area, but it's still a beautiful place to visit and take a hike. This park is a popular destination in the summer months, and the trail begins from Orange Grove Area. It's a two-mile loop suitable for novice hikers, though cyclists may want to look elsewhere.
Falling Branch Falls is one of Maryland's most beautiful waterfalls and can be found five miles north of Rocks State Park. It is accessible from Route 24 via St. Mary's Road. After a half-mile hike, you will come to the falls' base. There are no restroom facilities and no drinking water.
Falling Branch Falls, also known as Kilgore Falls, is a 17-foot vertical cascade that runs through the Kilgore Rocks. This waterfall is a favorite among summer vacationers. It is also accessible to dogs on a leash. Prior permission is required during weekends and from May Day to Labor Day.
Cunningham Falls
If you're looking for a relaxing day trip or a family camping weekend, head to Cunningham Falls State Park. The waterfall is 78 feet tall, and you can easily hike to both the top and bottom viewpoints. The park also has a beach that is great for the whole family.
You'll also have the option of hiking on the Lower Trail, which is alternatively called the Falls Trail. However, the Cliff Trail is steep and rocky, and the waterfall is overestimated by about one mile. It's probably best to avoid this trail if you have limited time.
For those looking for an overnight camping spot, Cunningham Falls offers a beach area and a lake for families to enjoy. If you're traveling with kids, consider booking a campsite in advance, as weekend days are trendy. Visiting the park on a weekday is usually much less crowded. Additionally, the park is home to the historic Catoctin Furnace, built in 1774.
Great Falls of the Potomac
The Great Falls of the Potomac is a series of rapids on the Potomac River. They are located about 14 miles upstream of Washington, D.C., on the border of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia. The falls are considered scenic spots and are popular with tourists.
The Potomac River began carving out the Great Falls about 35,000 years ago. Today, visitors can see cascading waters over a series of 20-foot falls. The river also narrows as it drops over the Mather Gorge. During heavy rains in the watershed upstream, the falls can experience white-water flooding. The adjacent park visitor center is perched on stilts. A pillar at the Virginia overlook marks the level of the 1936 Potomac Flood.
The Great Falls of the Potomac is a popular destination for people traveling to the Washington DC, metropolitan area. They're a scenic natural landmark that plunges 76 feet over just one mile. The river narrows as it passes through Mather Gorge, and during heavy rain upstream, whitewater floods can cause damage to buildings on both sides of the river. You can find these beautiful waterfalls in the Maryland and Virginia parts of the area.
Muddy Creek Falls
Muddy Creek Falls is one of Maryland's tallest free-falling waterfalls and one of the most beautiful. It is a short hike from the parking lot to the falls. The hike is lined with giant hemlock trees.
Muddy Creek Falls is located in Muddy Creek State Park, where the Youghiogheny River and Muddy Creek meet. Near the confluence, you can find an impressive balancing rock formation. Getting to this formation may require some scrambling over slippery rocks. You can also try out traditional caches in the park.
Muddy Creek Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Maryland. It drops over 53 feet from the Youghiogheny River. Muddy Creek Falls has many smaller waterfalls along its tributary. The area is home to many beautiful hemlock trees and is a great place for camping.
Gunpowder Falls
One of Maryland's most scenic waterfalls is located at Gunpowder Falls State Park. The park comprises more than one thousand acres and includes the two biggest waterfalls in the state, Big Gunpowder, and Little Gunpowder. It's about an hour's drive from Washington, DC, and two hours from Philadelphia. This park offers several hiking trails and picnic areas.
The park features a trail that leads down to the waterfall's base, a waterfall trail, and a loop trail. The trails are moderately difficult and feature great views of the surrounding river valley. The waterfalls, Big and Small, are the highlight of this park, but visitors should be careful because the rocks are slippery.
Gunpowder Falls is a cascading waterfall located in Baltimore County. It features a slight gradient and several rock pools. Visitors can walk along the waterfall and explore the pools created by the water. The park comprises over one thousand acres and follows the Big Gunpowder River.
Tolliver Falls
Tolliver Falls is a small waterfall that is set within a shady ravine. It is surrounded by a tree canopy and offers a beautiful pool below. The falls have no guardrails at the top, and visitors are advised to keep pets and small children close by. However, the falls are free and open to the public.
Tolliver Falls is located in Swallow Falls State Park and is only a short walk from the park's Herrington Lane entrance. The waterfall is five feet high and features a sandy bottom and a swimming area. This fall is an excellent place for families to swim, but be careful when walking on the wet rocks!
Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls State Park is located near the town of Oakland, Maryland. It features a swimming hole and hiking and mountain biking trails. There are also picnic areas and boat rentals. During the summer months, the park also offers a snack bar. There is a fee to visit the park, so plan accordingly.
A forest of old-growth trees surrounds the waterfall. The forest is also home to the male Blackburn Ian warbler, who sings a thin, high-pitched song. This species of warbler assembles with foraging birds in mature evergreen forests. Although cliff swallows no longer nest in the area, the Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly can still be seen. It is larger and paler than the eastern tiger swallowtail. There are also numerous dragonflies patrolling the river for insects.
Swallow Falls State Park is a great place to visit if you are looking to visit Maryland waterfalls. It is home to the oldest grove of trees in the state and a 53-foot cascade waterfall called Muddy Creek Falls.
