Lower Swallow Falls is a 4-foot waterfall on the Youghiogheny River in Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Maryland, about 6.4 miles north of Oakland. It is the lower of the two falls on the river inside the park, a broad ledge a short way downstream of Swallow Falls.
The falls
The river spills over a single low ledge. Lidar data puts the drop at about 4 feet; earlier surveys listed 6 feet, while another guide estimates 6 to 8 feet. MyHikes calls it the widest of the park's falls, probably close to 40 feet across.
Getting there
The falls are inside Swallow Falls State Park, 2470 Maple Glade Road, Oakland, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The foot-only Canyon Trail, 1.25 miles long, runs through old-growth forest past the park's waterfalls. A full loop connecting all of them covers about 1.6 miles with 195 feet of gain and is rated easy. Day-use hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.
In 2026 the entrance fee is $3 for Maryland residents and $5 for nonresidents during the summer season and on May, September and October weekends, and $3 or $5 per vehicle on other days. New for 2026, peak-season weekends and holidays require a timed day-use reservation, which opens seven days ahead.
When to go
Trails turn slippery in wet weather, streams run high after rain, and winter brings snow and ice.
On site
A wooden fence and a signed viewing platform stand just north of the upper falls on the loop. From May 23 to September 7, 2026, pets were not allowed in the day-use area or on the Canyon Trail. The park's picnic area has tables, grills, a playground and an accessible pavilion.
History and name
Swallow Falls, the upper fall and the park's namesake, is named for the cliff swallows that once nested on a rock pillar beside it. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped at Swallow Falls from July 27 to 31, 1921.
Nearby
Muddy Creek Falls is about 0.1 mile away, Swallow Falls about 0.3 mile and Toliver Falls about 0.4 mile, all in the same park. Gap Falls, farther along the Youghiogheny, is about 6.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.