I never get tired of promoting this special park here in Garrett County. The spring thaw at Swallow falls State Park can be epic if you catch it after a cold winter season. Imagine the amount of precipitation that we get here at Deep Creek Lake that remains suspended as snow. Some years, we have periodic warm-ups that etch away at the snow mass throughout the season. Some years, we have periodic warm-ups that etch away at the snow mass throughout the season. Some years, it stays cold for the entire winter which basically keeps the amount of precipitation on the ground increasing after each snowfall event. When the springtime blooms here with warm weather, we can see the rivers and creeks expand enormously when this buildup of snow starts to melt. When this massive amount of water starts pouring over our waterfalls in the area it can make you feel tiny with its thunderous power. Gravity becomes an astounding catalyst of force as the entire county releases flood gates of melting snow through vein after vein of branch creeks and streams until they explode into our river systems. The constant roar of the water echoes throughout the park and surrounding areas drowning out the subtle sounds of nature that you normally hear in the summer. Be warned that this power can be very dangerous and you should be advised to keep away from the water’s edge. One slip into the raging waters would certainly prove fatal. Thankfully, Swallow Falls State Park is laid out with very high and safe vantage points to enjoy the show safely. Dress in rain type gear because the park will be misty. Some days you can be transported back in time and wonder how it must have felt to live back when the things of the world weren’t so well defined. There had to have been an awesome range of emotions living in such a mystical rugged area of the country back in those days. I feel lucky to call this area my home. Put this on your list of things to share with your family and friends. You will not be disappointed.
