Swallow Falls is a 16-foot waterfall on the Youghiogheny River in Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Maryland, about 6.1 miles north of Oakland. It is the upper of the two falls on the river inside the park, and is also known as Upper Swallow Falls.
The falls
The Youghiogheny comes down in a single drop of 16 feet, classed as a steep veiling cascade. Lower Swallow Falls, a short way downstream, and Muddy Creek Falls on a side stream are separate falls.
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, passes the park's waterfalls; bicycles are not allowed on it. 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
Rocks along the trail can be slippery, and winter brings ice.
On site
From May 23 to September 7, 2026, pets were not allowed in the day-use area, including the Canyon Trail. The park's picnic area has tables, grills, a playground and an accessible pavilion.
History and name
The falls are named for the cliff swallows that once nested on the rock pillar beside them. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped at Swallow Falls from July 27 to 31, 1921.
Nearby
Toliver Falls is about 0.1 mile away, Lower Swallow Falls about 0.3 mile and Muddy Creek Falls about 0.4 mile, all in the same park. Gap Falls, farther along the Youghiogheny, is about 6.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.