Maryland is home to some stunning waterfalls, many of which are preserved by the state in their very own state parks with multiple hiking trails and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. Without further ado, let’s check out some of the best Maryland waterfalls!
The Top 9 Waterfalls in Maryland
Visiting Waterfalls in Maryland
Cunningham Falls
Another unmissable Maryland, Cunningham Falls stands inside Cunningham Falls State Park. With its height of 78 feet, Cunningham Falls is the largest cascading waterfall in the state of Maryland, and is said to have been named after a photographer by the name of Cunningham who couldn’t resist coming to the cascade to capture it on film.
The park is also home to a large and placid lake, popular for swimming in during the summer months, as well as unique historic and geological landmarks and formations.
Things to do near Cunningham Falls
Just one part of the larger complex of preserved wilderness spaces in this area, Cunningham Falls State Park is immediately adjacent to such worthy destinations as the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, Cat Rock & Bobs Hill Natural Area and Catoctin Mountain Park. Meanwhile, it’s all just a little more than an hour outside of Baltimore.
Falling Branch Falls
Also known as Kilgore Falls, Falling Branch Falls is situated inside of Rocks State Park. Falling Branch is the name of the waterway these falls splash along, and although they’re only 20 feet tall, they’re the second-tallest free-falling waterfall in the state. The Kilgore Falls Trail meanders just half a mile through a beautiful forest setting before depositing visitors directly in front of the falls themselves, which are certainly a sight worth seeing.
Things to do near Falling Branch Falls
A separate section of Rocks State Park can be found a few miles south of the Falling Branch Falls area, offering a variety of other trailheads, scenic areas, and — as you might have guessed — rock climbing opportunities.
Gunpowder Falls
Gunpowder Falls is tucked inside Gunpowder Falls State Park, which is a commonly visited preserve not just for the cascades, but also for its beaches, picnic spots, fishing and swimming opportunities. In the park, you’ll find Big Gunpowder Falls and Little Gunpowder Falls, both of which can be accessed by a variety of hiking trails. Do be aware you may have to cross the stream en route to the best viewpoints, and at times, these waters can run rapid enough to present some danger.
Things to do near Gunpowder Falls
This large and diverse park spans a large section of land along the northeastern side of Baltimore, and thus is one of the most popular places for city-dwellers to get away from it all. There are also other worthy wildernesses to explore around here, such as Hart-Miller Island State Park.
Raven Rock Falls
While Gunpowder Falls may be the best-known set of waterfalls in Gunpowder Falls State Park, it’s not the only one. Raven Rock Falls stands about 25 feet tall and waits deep in the northern Maryland woods of Baltimore County. Offering a kind of sliding cascade, which tumbles in pieces down the beautiful rock backdrop behind it, Raven Rock Falls do vary in flow rate based on the weather the area’s been seeing lately. For best results, visit after there’s been some rain.
Things to do near Raven Rock Falls
Another Gunpowder Falls State Park attraction, Raven Rock Falls is pretty easy to get to from Baltimore, meaning you can enjoy all the attractions the city has to offer.
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls is tucked into the woods surrounding Elkridge, Maryland, just south of Baltimore. The falls can be accessed along a network of various trails, all of which offer beautiful perspectives on this part of the country and without too much of an uphill climb. Better yet, the trail is a loop, which makes it a great choice for beginners who may feel some nervousness about the potential of getting lost.
Things to do near Cascade Falls
These falls are within a 20-minute drive of the heart of the city of Baltimore. Among the many other attractions worth seeking out in Baltimore, we highly recommend the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum and the Walters Art Museum.
Great Falls
Great Falls is a long and lovely stretch of cascades and rapids that create a truly stunning scene. Along its 76-foot gradual elevation change, these falls actually undergo nine different sections, which cascade down the river over the course of about a mile. Although the falls themselves are technically in Maryland, Great Falls Park is in Virginia, and offers a plethora of different walking trails to choose from to get many gorgeous vantage points of this large and somewhat leisurely set of cascades.
Things to do near Great Falls
Great Falls is just a hop, skip and a jump from our densely-populated capital city, Washington, D.C. Along with its many important historical destinations, D.C. boasts some of the best museums in not only the country, but the world — and plenty of them are free to enter!
The Best Maryland Waterfalls for RVers
Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls is the namesake of the larger Swallow Falls State Park, which features a variety of cascades. These waterfalls were purportedly named for the large community of swallows that have historically nested here. The water at the foot of this cascade is perfect for taking a quick dip to shake off some of the hot summer sun, but you can also visit in winter, when everything is covered over with a serene layer of white.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
We love that this waterfall is located in a fantastic state park with a lovely campground, meaning you can actually park your home-on-wheels onsite.
Things to do near Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls State Park is surrounded by a number of small towns with plenty of vacation resources, such as Oakland and Mountain Lake Park.
Muddy Creek Falls
Swallow Falls might be its namesake, but if there’s one reason people come to Swallow Falls State Park, it’s to see the larger Muddy Creek Falls. Accessed by a short and fairly easy trail that meanders through a little more than a mile of beautiful mid-Atlantic foliage, Muddy Creek Falls is one of the stateliest and most impressive cascades in the state. As such, it’s no surprise they’ve drawn some celebrity visitors, including the likes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
Again, the fact that this state park offers onsite camping is wonderful. It’s also awesome that there are so many waterfalls in the park, making it a one stop shop.
Things to do near Muddy Creek Falls
Along with its multiple scenic waterfalls, Swallow Falls State Park also offers a bike path, fishing and swimming opportunities, and a well-appointed on-site campground offering limited electric, water, and sewer hookups as well as amenities like bathhouses.
Toliver Falls
The last of the falls on our list that lives inside Swallow Falls State Park, Toliver Falls is probably the most often-overlooked cascade for park visitors. This means it’s a great opportunity for those who are on the hunt for a quieter, less-crowded waterfall destination. Tumbling a short but scenic distance along the carved rock face behind them, Toliver Falls can be easily added onto the hike to Swallow Falls. Otherwise, you can venture to this cascade on its own, just north of the Top Yough Put-in.
Because this is a smaller, gentler waterfall, it’s a popular place for park visitors to splash, swim and play.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
This waterfall is also located in Swallow Falls State Park, so the onsite camping and multiple waterfalls are reasons to add this one to your next RV trip itinerary.
Things to do near Toliver Falls
We’ll offer one last plug for Swallow Falls State Park, which really is an incredible landscape to play in, be it for a quick day trip or a whole weekend. Additionally, if you grow tired of the park itself, it’s attached to an even larger wilderness area ripe with plenty more outdoor recreation opportunities — Garrett State Forest.
Planning an RV Trip to Maryland
The best way to see Maryland waterfalls? By RV, of course! During your time there, make sure to check out the best state parks and campgrounds in the state. You’ll also want to take time to explore Baltimore!
