Top 15 Idyllic Things To Do In Fall at Deep Creek Lake

Get out your flannels and pumpkin spice lattes! Deep Creek Lake is stunning in the fall. From the enchanting Autumn Glory Festival to the breathtaking fall foliage and waterfalls, find out why Travel & Leisure voted this One of the Best Small Towns in the U.S. to see Fall Foliage. It was even featured on The Today Show as one of the Top Places For Fall Foliage In The U.S. Watch the Today Show clip here! Let’s explore the top 15 things to do in fall at Deep Creek Lake.

Where is Deep Creek Lake?

Before we dive into all of the fall fabulousness, let’s get acquainted with the lake itself.

Deep creek Lake is located in the Applachian Mountains in the northwest corner of Maryland, not far from the West Virginia and Pennsylvania borders. The lake encompasses three towns: McHenry in the northern part of the lake, Oakland in the center and Swanton in the southernmost part.

The area is a popular vacation destination for residents of the nearby cities and suburbs of Washington, DC and Pittsburgh. It is a 3 hour drive from DC and a 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh.

Deep Creek is truly a 4 season destination. Wisp Ski Resort offers skiing and snowboarding on lake-view slopes in the winter. Summer brings boating and an abundance of lake activities, while spring attracts golfers and hikers. The most beautiful and festive season is fall, when Deep Creek shines with all of its Autumn Glory!

Here are the Top 15 idyllic things to do in the fall at Deep Creek Lake.

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1. Autumn Glory Festival

The Autumn Glory Festival is one of the most popular things to do in the fall at Deep Creek Lake. 2023 marks the 56th anniversary of the festival, which takes place annually during the second week of October. The Autumn Glory Festival is primarily in the town of Oakland, but there are festival activities throughout the week in all three lake towns of McHenry, Oakland and Swanton. There is a schedule of events each day, including fall foliage driving tours, multiple craft fairs, car shows, concerts, corn mazes and a carnival. The Turkey Trail occurs each night, honoring its origins as a turkey farmer’s festival, with all of the local restaurants offering turkey dinners. The charming and quaint town of Oakland hosts two parades during the week, including the festival’s grand finale-the Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade. The parade includes the Autumn Glory Royalty Court, which is composed of two local high school students as king and queen, as well as marching bands and fall-themed floats. Woodlake Tree Farm also opens its doors for 3 days during Autumn Glory with stunning fall decor and hot apple cider. Between the gorgeous leaves and the small town vibe, the Autumn Glory Festival will leave (or leaf) you with all of the fall feels! Click here to see this year’s Autumn Glory Festival brochure.

2. Swallow Falls State Park

One of my favorite places in Deep Creek is Swallow Falls State Park. Just like Deep creek Lake, Swallow Falls is beautiful in every season, but fall is when it shines! The park boasts 4 stunning waterfalls along an easy 1.5 mile loop. The Canyon Trail takes you under a canopy of breathtaking fall foliage along the Youghiogheny River (pronounced Yock-a-gainy-y), past Muddy Creek Falls, Upper Swallow Falls, Lower Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls. The towering 53 foot Muddy Creek Falls is the highest free-flowing waterfall in the state of Maryland. Check out this unbelievable photo of Swallow Falls from the air by Maryland Drone Guy.

In Autumn, the views are just majestic, especially when the foliage is at peak color, which makes it one of the top idyllic things to do in Deep Creek in the fall.

3. Fishing and Leaf Peeping by Boat

Some of the prettiest views of the lake in fall can only be seen from the water! We love driving the boat around Deep Creek Lake looking at all of the beautiful foliage reflecting off of the water. Boat rentals are available through early October at many of the local rental companies. We usually bring our fishing rods along. You do need a fishing license to fish in Deep Creek Lake if you are age 16 or older. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or at Deep Creek Lake State Park. Find out more information about this requirement here.

4. Horseback Riding

Circle R Ranch and Western Trails both offer guided horseback riding for all ages. While this is available in most seasons, fall is my favorite time for horseback riding at the lake. The crisp weather and beautiful autumn foliage make it a top thing to do in Deep Creek Lake in the fall.

5. Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort

Take a ride through the colorful trees on the Mountain Coaster at Wisp Resort. The Mountain Coaster is a lot of fun for all ages. Children between the ages of 3 and 8 can ride with an adult. The coaster cars have manual brakes that the rider controls, so you can go as fast or as slow as you are comfortable with. Check out this video from a rider’s POV on the mountain coaster.

6. ATVs at Western Trails

I did this with my kids a couple years ago, it was a lot of fun! Western Trails offers 60 minute ATV guided tours. This is great because it allows you the fun of driving without having to worry about where you should and should not go. Being able to ride the ATVs through the falling leaves and beautiful foliage makes this a top thing to do in the fall!

7. Cider Tasting at Branch Bender Cidery

This is a favorite “date day” activity for my husband and I in Deep Creek. Branch Bender Cidery is not just delicious hard cider, it is an entire experience. The cidery is inside of a repurposed barn on a farm, with beautiful rustic chic decor, including rugs, couches and even a fire pit. The owners also have a floral business, so the cidery is decorated with one-of-a-kind flower arrangements.

You can bring your own snacks. We always stop at Firefly Farms to pick up a charcuterie tray on our way to Branch Bender Cidery. The cidery is only open on weekends. If you are coming with a big group, make reservations on their website.

8. Golf at Lodestone Golf Course

There are four golf courses in Deep Creek: Lodestone, Fantasy Valley, Thousand Acres and Oakland Golf Club. Lodestone is where you want to go for golfing with amazing fall views. The course is on top of Wisp Mountain, and overlooks Deep Creek Lake. In the fall, the views of the lake surrounded by the colorful trees makes this one of the top things to do in Deep Creek.

9. All Things Pumpkin Spice At Trader’s Coffee House

Trader’s Coffee House is the place to go for all things pumpkin spice! Their fall coffee and tea menu is extensive and fabulous. I normally only drink coffee, but last week I tried the Chai Pumpkin and Ginger Spice tea and it was AMAZING.

Trader’s serves delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches, but you would be missing out if you didn’t try their fantastic baked goods. Their fall flavored pastries and cookies are delectable.

The thing I love most about Trader’s Coffee House is their large assortment of delicious gluten-free pastries. Their gluten-free pumpkin roll is hands-down the best gluten free ANYTHING I’ve ever had, and I’ve been gluten-free for years! My family loves the non-gluten free pastries and I can only imagine how good the “REAL” pumpkin roll is! Grab your pumpkin spiced goodies and walk across the street to the picnic tables at the lake to soak in all the fall vibes!

10. Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival

The Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival is held in September at the Garrett County Fairgrounds. The festival features over 200 different wines to taste, live music, a cigar bar and college football watching tent with beer from Short Story Brewing. There are also booths of artisans selling their crafts and goods. All ages are welcome at the festival. Guests who are 21 and over receive a wristband to wine taste. This is one of our favorite fall events in Deep Creek!

11. Fall Foliage Driving Tours

Click here for the Deep Creek fall foliage driving tours put together by Garrett Heritage. The driving tour takes you through the mountains and farm land with the best views of colorful leaves. We do these every year and it is one of my favorite things to do in the fall in Deep Creek.

12. Hiking Through The Fall Forests

Deep Creek has so many great hiking trails, it’s hard to pick just one to recommend for a fall hike. Besides Swallow Falls Canyon Trail, some of our favorites are Meadow Mountain Trail, Deep Creek Lake State Park, New Germany State Park, and Herrington Manor State Park. Check out all of the hiking options at Garrett Trails.

13. Fall Craft Cocktails at Firewater Kitchen & Bar

Fall is the perfect time to go to Firewater Kitchen & Bar for dinner. The patio dining sits behind a gas fire railing which overlooks the lake and all of the gorgeous fall foliage. There are docks in the water if you want to drive a boat to dinner. The thing that really makes Firewater stand out are their craft cocktails. They are the best at the lake. Their cocktail menu changes with each season, and fall are some of the best! Last year, my favorite was “Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About,” which tasted like pumpkin spice and came with a roasted marshmallow on the side of the glass. The “Cosmo Fall-itan” was delicious too!d Can’t wait to see what fall cocktails they come up with this year!

14. Monroe Overlook

Monroe Overlook is one of our favorite spots to stop on our way to and from Deep Creek in the fall. The overlook is off of New Germany Road, and when the leaves are at peak color, it is really a sight to behold! Sunrise is also spectacular at Monroe Overlook.

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15. Oktoberfest & Other Fall Activities at Wisp Resort

Wisp Resort holds Oktoberfest each year, usually the first weekend in October. If you can’t make it the weekend of Oktoberfest, Wisp offers plenty of other activities to enjoy the fall weather and foliage. There are scenic chair lift rides, a 9 hole frisbee golf course, a ropes course, and mountain biking through the trees. Click here to learn more about the fall activities at Wisp Resort.

Well, I thought this was going to be my Top 15 idyllic things to do in Deep Creek Lake in the fall, but turns out I can’t stop the list at 15. These are so good that they cannot be left off our list! So let’s make it the Top 20 Things To Do in Deep Creek Lake in the Fall!

16. Wine & Cheese Pairing at Firefly Farms

Firefly Farms Creamery offers wine & cheese pairings by appointment. My friends and I did this on a girls weekend a few years ago and it was wonderful! This was when they were at their original location in Deep Creek. They have since moved to a new building just down the road from the old one. Firefly Farms Creamery’s fall wine pairing was festive and fun!

17. Shopping for fall decor at Schoolhouse Earth:

Schoolhouse Earth is one of my favorite stores in Deep Creek, they have everything from clothing to household decor. Their seasonal decor is to die for, and I always make it a point to stop and shop, especially when their fall and Christmas decorations are out. Schoolhouse Earth also has goats that you can feed.

18. Alpaca Acres Fall Fun On The Farm

Alpaca Acres turns into a pumpkin patch in the fall, complete with a bounce pillow, mountain slides and campfires. A fun way to spend the day for those with kids and those who are kids at heart!

19. Cove Run Corn Maze

Cove Run Corn Maze is a popular destination in the fall. We have not had the chance to do this ourselves yet, but have heard it is a lot of fun. It’s definitely on our list to do this fall!

20. Skeet Shooting at Wild Wings Preserve

My husband and his friends do this every fall. For those who aren’t familiar, skeet shooting involves using a shotgun to shoot at clay disks that are propelled up into the air. Wild Wings Preserve provides the guns and the owner is helpful and provides instruction to those who are new at the sport.

Autumn in Deep Creek is a photographer’s dream. These are some of my favorite photographs I’ve taken in Deep Creek Lake during fall.

Speaking of photographers, we love to get our professional family pictures taken in the fall at Deep Creek. Amy Sine Photography did our pictures two years ago and they turned out great!

Follow Me On Instagram & TikTok for Deep Creek videos.

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