10 Activities For The Whole Year In Deep Creek, Maryland, USA

10 Activities For The Whole Year In Deep Creek, Maryland, USA
Adithya
Adithya 
Updated
| 9 min read

Summer is often seen as a blissful time, a time to enjoy the sunshine after the cool spring and cold and monotonous winter. And where better to get an inner glow and feel happy than outdoors? Beaches can get sometimes crowded, though, and it can be tough to find much personal space.


Wouldn’t it be perfect to have all the perks of a lovely shoreline without the crowds? If this sounds like your ideal vacation, Deep Creek in Maryland should be on the top of your bucket list. With 69 miles (111 kilometers) of shoreline, it is also home to North America’s largest inland water body. Keep reading to discover the plentiful lake sites and activities that you can enjoy throughout the year in Deep Creek.

Activities to take advantage of the sun

1. Get off your couch and explore

Deep Creek Lake (9)
Source: Photo by user Jon Dawson used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Summertime can mean scorching heat, making it inconvenient to get out much. But at Deep Creek, that won’t be a problem. Despite the hot sun, Deep Creek’s parks and lake beaches bring the climate to a more soothing warm level. So get out of your resort and spend the day at one of the state parks.

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park in Maryland
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nicolas Raymond used under CC BY 2.0

This state-operated public park surrounds Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake. Recreational activities like motor-boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming, and a lot of others too are available. There are also trails for hiking and biking for those who want to crack their knuckles and warm up their muscles after an inactive winter. With over 100 campsites, some with electricity, it isn’t necessary to stay in a resort at Deep Creek. Fishing is good on the lake, as there is an abundance of trout, walleye, bass, and yellow perch. You’ll also find several picnic areas with splendid views of the lake, perfect for a spot of outdoor lunch.

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Address: 898 State Park Rd, Swanton, MD 21561, United States

Opening Hours: 8.30 am - 6 pm (till 5 pm on Sundays)

Contact: +1 301 387 5563

Website: Deep Creek Lake State Park

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New Germany State Park

NewGermanyMD
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user VitaleBaby used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

New Germany State Park is within the boundaries of the Savage River State Forest. Most of the available activities are similar to those at Deep Creek Lake State Park. The Nature Center is located near an area of diverse natural habitats and wildlife, dedicated to promoting wildlife education. The exhibits educate people on a historical and ecological level. During the summer season, the park rangers organize Campfire programs with interesting speakers to raise awareness about nature and the local culture.

New Germany State Park

Address: 349 Headquarters Ln, Grantsville, MD 21536, United States

Access: 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Grantsville

Contact: +1 301 895 5453

Website: New Germany State Park

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2. Have thrills and spills on the water

White Water Rafting
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jimmyside~commons... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

The Youghiogheny Wild River is a part of the Mississippi River watershed that stretches from the west to the east. It is one of the most challenging rivers to raft on. The Top Yough and the Upper Yough (the northern parts of the river) are accessible from Maryland and are Class IV / Class V on the rafting scale. There are other activities like kayaking and whitewater canoeing available as well.

Test your limits at Adventure Sports Challenge International

Kayaking
Source: Photo by user Martin Monroe used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Adventure Sports Center International is a one-stop center for all things related to water-based fun. Offering class I - IV level whitewater rafting experiences, it is also the only place where you can raft on a mountain top! Though the rafting experience is created artificially, it still is a challenge for all. Looking for more adventure? Try river boarding, a great way to experience whitewater thrills. If rafting is too mainstream for you, get an inflatable kayak and paddle around Deep Creek Lake. Apart from getting wet, you can also try climbing and geocaching.

Adventure Sports Center International

Address: Adventure Sports Center International 250 Adventure Sports Way, McHenry, Maryland 21541

Contact: +1 877-300-2724

Website: Adventure Sports Center International

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Herald the coming of winter!

4. Feel the freeze at the Annual Deep Creek Dunk


A traditional game that takes place at the beginning of each year, The Annual Deep Creek Dunk is an event where civilians wade through the frigid lake, tag a State police officer’s hand, and come back. This event is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics; people jump in the water to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics.

Year-round attractions and activities

5. Dust off the cobwebs at Wisp Resort

Wisp ski resort.
Source: Photo by user Bruno Sanchez-And... used under CC BY 2.0

Head over to the Wisp Winter Resort for a variety of winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, NASTAR racing, and tubing. The Wisp Resort also offers its fair share of summer activities too. With a variety of aerial activities, mountain coasters, Segway tours, and disc golf, the fun never ends at the Wisp Resort.

The Winter Wonderland of Maryland

Lodge
Source: Photo by user Amanda used under CC BY 2.0

Get on the fast ice with NASTAR racing events, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Enjoy a scenic walk through the pine-scented forests or the white-sheeted ground. The Wisp Nordic Center, located behind the Wisp Resort, also offers skiing and snow tubing. Indulge in a cup of hot cocoa after spending a day out in the snow. Ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, or cross-country skiing offer heaps of action; pick your favorite (or just pick all of them!) and have a Nordic experience at Deep Creek.

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Bright and mellow under the yellow


The Wisp Resort’s variety of summer activities will make you want to come back time and time again after the chilly winters. With activities like Segway tours, archery, chairlift rides, and the famous mountain coaster, one trip to the Wisp Resort just isn’t enough. The mountain coaster is an interesting hybrid of a sled and a roller coaster. The carts can hold up to 2 people as they take riders on a thrilling ride through the mountains. Take a scenic Segway tour with one of the friendly guides, or join a guided hike in the Fork Run Area. Search for hidden treasures in over 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of land at the geocaching station, where you’ll be given a GPS and a map to find a hidden box. Test your limits at the solid climbing and bouldering features. End the day with a stunning chairlift ride with jaw-dropping views of Deep Creek Lake. There’s more to this place than meets the eye.

A selection of challenging aerial obstacle courses are available, with different and unique challenges to keep anyone occupied. The Flying Squirrel Canopy, Chipmunk Challenge, and Spidermonkey Adventure are very popular among visitors.

Wisp Resort

Address: 296 Marsh Hill Rd, McHenry, MD 21541, United States

Price: from 147 USD (room only); Aerial Obstacle courses start from 50 USD; Ski passes from 19 USD

Contact: +1 301 859 3159

Website: Wisp Resort

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6. Get cheesy at FireFly Farms

things to do in deep creek lake
Source: FireFly Farms

Discover the perfect cheese to add to your culinary conceptions. Find an array of dishes with cheese from FireFly Farms at the Moonshadow Café, and experience deliciously yummy cheesy delicacies. Besides cheese, wines, breads, and other gourmet goodies are sold at FireFly Farms. Feel free to ask the staff for recommendations on the best wines to go with a particular type of cheese.

FireFlys Farms

Address: 107 S Main St, Accident, MD 21520, United States

Opening Hours: 10 am - 6 pm (till 4 pm on Sundays)

Contact: +1 301 746 8188

Website: FireFly Farms

7. Visit the House of Drane: home of the first permanent settler at Accident


Drane House is a historic home that has been turned into a historical attraction. The building has been preserved for its intriguing architecture, an unusual combination of log and frame technique and an uncommon hall-and-parlor plan type. Its association with early settlement of Garrett County also makes it a historical landmark. The original owner of the house, James Drane, was also the first permanent settler in the Accident region. Individual or group tours are provided upon request at specified times.

Drane House

Address: Old Cemetery Road, Accident, MD 21520

Contact: +65-8888-8888

Nearby Food: FireFly Farms

Website: Drane House

8. Spruce Forest Artisan Village


If you’re looking to experience a unique take on life as the world once knew it, stop on by the Spruce Forest Artisan Village! Located only seconds from the iconic Casselman River Bridge, another of the staple landmarks that decorates the immediate region, the Spruce Forest Artisan Village is characterized by a stunning portfolio of shops, historic spectacles, and opportunities for comfortable relaxation, as you find yourself immersed in the past, recreated for your experiential pleasure before your eyes!

In an effort to preserve the rich cultural heritage that the region once knew, Spruce Forest Artisan Village is entirely open and free for the public to enjoy, and proves as beneficial a historical education as any when it comes to informing the passerby as to that which characterized life in centuries past. You’ll find yourself the privileged guest of six local, onsite artists, who will share with you their stories, as well as their crafts, and the connection and importance of their respective undertakings, as the would have applied long ago. Spruce Forest Artisan Village is also frequented by a number of visiting artists, individuals who through the sharing of their unique crafts successfully broaden the education and immersive scope of the site itself.

Discover the origin of the location itself at the Miller House Peace Center, and hear the story of how Amish, together with Native Americans and individual Mennonite communities, thrived peacefully, in a shared space that fosters community living and livelihood alike. It’s a step into the vibrant past, when it comes to the Spruce Forest Artisan Village! Follow the sound of hammers, anvils, and dynamic life!

Spruce Forest Artisan Village

Address: 177 Casselman Rd, Grantsville, MD 21536

Website: Spruce Forest Artisan Village

9. Herrington Manor State Park


For some of the finest natural sights in all of Maryland, you’re going to want to stop by Herrington Manor State Park! You’re allowed an astonishing 365 acres to make entirely your own, as you discover the unique effects which natural rejuvenation can have on your demeanor. So long as you’re going to visit Herrington Manor State Park, you need to make sure you cross Herrington Lake from your bucket list. This 53-acre, massive body of water, characterized by pristine views from the shore and sensational wildlife decorating the immediate spaces around it, makes the visit itself entirely worth the investment.

This park has so much to offer visitors and locals alike! From park-sponsored events, to make full use of the dynamic space, to your capacity to acquire fishing opportunities, you’re never going to find yourself worse for wear when you’re onsite. There are so many activities to make your stay in Herrington Manor State Park worth your time. Looking to discover the park from the surface of the water itself? Take advantage of the boat rental service, available inside of the park itself. Looking to actually stay onsite, courtesy of some of the finest in park hospitality to be found in the region? Stay in some of the fully modernized Herrington Manor State Park cabins! Looking to enjoy a relaxing meal on the premises? There are ample opportunities for your enjoyment of a picnic, and you can even purchase food and drink onsite, if you don’t want to leave the shade you’ve only recently found! It’s the ideal endeavor for anyone looking to experience the great outdoors, and to make your own some awe-inspiring natural sights.

Herrington Manor State Park

Address: 222 Herrington Ln, Oakland, MD 21550

Website: Herrington Manor State Park

10. Deep Creek Cellars


After a productive day exploring the local region, stop by Deep Creek Cellars, for a wonderful selection of some choice wines, both local and imported. It’s an excellent play to experience an entirely unique shade of liquid rejuvenation, together with close friends, for a wine tasting, affordable purchase, or simply to seek a hiatus from life’s hustle and bustle!

Award-winning wines are available in no short supply at Deep Creek Cellars. Here, you’ll find yourself on the winning end of wines sourced directly from the site itself, and prepared by way of an iconic Old World technique. There’s also a wonderful supply of foods available on the premises, so that you can sample choice liquids, backed by foods specifically selected to bring out all of the wine flavors you’re hoping to glean.

And if you’re not available to visit the location itself, you can still experience choice wines from Deep Creek Cellars! Their select bottles are available at a number of local retail outlets, and you can locate them with their readily identifiable labels. Experience life at a pace comfortable to you, via the cool atmosphere and relaxed atmosphere available exclusively at Deep Creek Cellars. Handmade, choice wines will be yours for the tasting an enjoyment. The location delivers on their promise of wines composed and comprised with a minimal number of preservatives, and you can trust the fact that all of their wines established onsite are in a class truly unto themselves, true to both taste and the purity the wine-making process.

Deep Creek Cellars

Address: 177 Frazee Ridge Rd, Friendsville, MD 21531

Website: Deep Creek Cellars

Have year-round fun without the crowds at Deep Creek

Ice Fishing, Deep Creek Lake
Source: Photo by user reivax used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you ever want to head to the shore after a long and chilly winter but don’t want the hassle of getting through crowds and or travelling too far, Deep Creek lake is one of the best spots to visit. With activities for each season, you might want to go more than once to experience it all! Start planning your trip to Deep Creek and fall in love with the area.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C S Lewis, British novelist

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Adithya is a travel enthusiast who was first exposed to travel during his stay in India. He enjoys writing and loves to discover the unknown. During his free time you can find him watching a movie...Read more

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