Page 26 - Garrett County - 2024 Activities Guide

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES //
FALL
PHOTO BY TIMOTHY JACOBSEN
flat surface that winds 5 miles through Garrett State Forrest. This scenic trail includes old logging roads and a historic railroad bed.
If you prefer to explore in an ORV, head to Wolf Den Run State Park, which consists of three distinct parcels of land featuring streams, mixed forest and unique, rocky bluffs. More information for ORV riders and other visitors is at dnr. maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/ western/wolf-den-run.aspx.
ORVs must be registered
annually with the Department of Natural Resources and display a registration sticker. Snowmobile and other ORV riders may purchase their ORV permit online at compass.dnr.maryland.gov/ dnrcompassportal. Permits are also available at Deep Creek Lake, New Germany and Herrington Manor state parks, and at Savage River State Forest and Potomac- Garrett State Forest. The ORV permit is effective immediately and may be printed by the customer to carry with them while riding.
Garrett County also has more
than 150 miles of mountain-bike trails for anyone from beginners to adventurers. Many of them can be found in Savage River State Forest. Find a trail guide at dnr.maryland. gov/forests/Pages/savageguide_ mttract.aspx.
For experienced mountain bikers, there’s a difficult trail that ascends to the top of Meadow Mountain and leads up to the fire lookout tower in Deep Creek Lake State Park.
PHOTO BY SARAH DUCK
Nearly 60,000 visitors descend
on Garrett County each October for the five-day Autumn Glory Festival (visitdeepcreek.com/ autumnglory). Annual highlights include the Grand Feature Parade, craft shows, the official Maryland state banjo, mandolin & fiddle championships, and more.
Fall foliage driving tours starting
at the Garrett County Visitors Center reveal breathtaking scenery that is readily visible along the roadways. Copies of the fall foliage driving tours can be picked up at the Visitors Center located at 15 Visitors Center Drive, McHenry, MD 21541, downloaded with the Garrett Heritage app (available at the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store) or viewed online at garrettheritage.com/fall-foliage- driving-tours.
Want to see the leaves from above? Starting in spring 2024, Fly Deep Creek will offer helicopter tours from Garrett County Airport. For more information and to book a tour, go to flydeepcreek.com.
If you want to appreciate the foliage at a slower pace, we recommend a hike! One of the county’s most stunning hiking destinations is the Kendall Trail, which spans 3 miles
and has amazing views of the
Youghiogheny Wild River (dnr. maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/ western/youghiogheny.aspx). The Herrington to Swallow Falls Trail is a good novice trail with a mostly
24 Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake Activities Guide