Last Updated on September 23, 2025
Maryland has been my home for more than 20 years, but I was surprised to learn that there’s a mountainous area on the western side of the state. I initially learned about the Deep Creek Lake area while attending a travel conference. I was intrigued and started to do a bit of digging. During my research, I found that this area is popular with snow sports enthusiasts. Each winter, people come to the area to ski, snowboard, and tube. But after taking my family on our first visit in the summer, I’m convinced that Deep Creek is worth visiting year-round.
Contents
Getting There
Deep Creek is located in Garrett County, Maryland, about a three-hour drive from Washington, D.C. It’s two hours south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the drive, we spotted farmlands and oohed our way along as the mountains started to peak up. From D.C., take I-70 to I-68 and take Exit 14A onto Route 219 South. Follow Route 219 for about 12 miles into Deep Creek Lake.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Deep Creek, Maryland:
-
Hit the Lake
If your family loves water activities, Deep Creek Lake will be the center of your visit. You can take a pontoon tour, rent jet skis, go paddle boarding, or swim at a designated beach. During the summer months, the lake is filled with activities.
-
Ride a Mountain Coaster
Hands down, my family’s favorite activity was riding the mountain coaster at the Wisp Resort. This coaster begins with a 1,300-foot uphill track before it twists and turns downhill more than 350 vertical feet down the mountain. The kids loved this ride so much that we rode it at least five times.
There are several outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy at Wisp Resort, including kayaking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, and golfing in the warmer months, as well as a variety of winter sports in the colder months.
-
Pet and Feed Alpacas
Spend a day feeding and petting alpacas at Alpaca Acres. We kicked off our visit by feeding these cute, fluffy animals. Afterward, the kids burned off their energy on the farm’s mountain slide, bounce pad, and giant slingshots. It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here.
-
Get Creative with Arts and Crafts
To switch things up a bit, we spent some time at Deep Creek Pottery, where we all enjoyed creating mosaics. It was a fun way to spend a few hours. If there’s an art lover in your group, or you find yourself in need of a rainy-day activity, consider adding this to your itinerary.
-
Visit an Arcade
The gamers in the family will be happy with Deep Creek Fun Zone. This arcade not only has video games but also bumper cars and bumper boats on the property. Once you’ve had your fun playing your way through the arcade, grab a slice of pizza at their in-house restaurant.
Where to stay
While in Deep Creek, we stayed at the Lodge at Wisp. This hotel is at the foot of the ski slopes. While it’s a popular winter getaway, they have a slew of activities to get into during the warmer months, including the mountain coaster I mentioned earlier. Deep Creek also has rental properties and bed-and-breakfasts that fit all family sizes.
Where to eat
While we always enjoy the activities, there’s nothing like eating local food to get acquainted with a destination. And there are plenty of great eateries around town that don’t disappoint. For coffee and pastries, head to Trader’s Coffee House. Mountain State Brewing Co. made for a great lunch stop. Their cheesy bread, chicken bites, and cheese flatbread were amazing. For dinner, we loved Firewater Kitchen & Bar. This lovely restaurant on the lake was a great way to end our last night in town. We enjoyed their black garlic wings, crispy chicken sandwich, and the Firewater burger.
And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, do NOT skip Deep Creek Donuts. Each donut is custom-made while you watch. We got a half a dozen donuts and selected classic glaze, Fruity Pebbles, chocolate sprinkles, and rainbow sprinkles.
Final Thoughts
You might not think of mountains when you start planning a trip to Maryland. But that’s precisely why you should include Deep Creek on your itinerary. Whether you’re planning a visit to the lake in the summer or want to hit the slopes in the winter, Deep Creek is a fantastic addition to any Maryland vacation.