Our Top 10 Deep Creek Recommendations
Here are our favorite things to see and do in Deep Creek, Maryland!
Some are well know, some not so well known. Have a look around as we have included photos, videos, information and links.
They are in no particular order.
1. Whitewater Rafting
When you think of Deep Creek Lake you of course first thing of, well, the LAKE! Did you know however there are two amazing white water rafting experience offer here as well?
First we have Precision Rafting that offers World Class whitewater rafting trips from Friendsville. MD on the Upper, Savage, Potomac, Cheat, and Big Sandy rivers. From family float trips to Extreme River White Water to everything in between this place has it all. These Guided raft trips with skilled and expert guides will give you the adventure of a lifetime.
The second rafting experience is at the top of Wisp Mountain? Yep, at the top of a mountain and is the world’s only mountaintop whitewater course and it’s called Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI). Built to host Olympic quality races and adjustable to accommodate beginners and families, the ASCI “whitewater course” is made of natural rock and concrete and is just over 1700 feet long. Guided rafting trips can include 4 to 6 runs down the course, adding up to a mile of continuous rapids. Rafters ride a conveyor from the finish pond back up to the start pool, and don’t even have to leave their boat to start again. Its prefect for families, beginners and rafting enthusiast.
2. Deep Creek Lavender Farm
A Maryland farm sharing all that lavender has to offer plus more!
Deep Creek Lavender Farm is a family owned lavender farm currently has nearly 1500 lavender plants with 15 different varieties of English lavender in shades of purple, white, and pink. This is a great daytrip and a great place to get some nice pictures! Stop in and visit the farm store for a great selection of lavender products including eye masks, neck wraps, quilts, body products, candles, lavender jams and jellies, plants and so much more. Culinary lavender grown on the farm is available for purchase to try in recipes at home. Ask the store for some chicken feed and they will give you some in a little cup to feed the chickens which our kids loved. Visitors can pick their own bouquet of lavender during bloom season too(usually end of June through mid-July).
3. Deep Creek Cellars
Small, family run and curated winery on a remote mountain hillside? Yes please!
Deep Creek Cellars located in Friendsville, Maryland is a perfect excursion for a truly unique and rare winery experience. This is “naural wine” vineyard Which means the the winemaker uses a vineyard to barrel, and barrel to bottle method, seeking to reduce the carbon footprint and eliminate chemicals (especially sulfites). The vineyard, originally 700 vines (mostly Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay) planted in May 1997, now has grown to roughly 1,000 vines, still mostly Cabernet Franc, followed by Frontenac, with small quantities of Vidal, Vignoles, and Chardonnay. They have a small tasting room as well as outdoor tastings and they are open all year round. The important thing to note is you must call ahead to reserve a spot for one of these tastings. And white you are there don’t forget to check out their cute gift shop.
4. Discovery Center Deep Creek Lake
Have a little ones and it’s a rainy day or just want to get out and about? Look no further than this fun educational Deep Creek gem!
Where can children put their hands in a black bear paw print, touch fossils from times long gone, and sneak a peek under a microscope to learn about Deep Creek Lake’s under-water ecology? The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center, allows children to do all this – and much more! Nestled along the shores of Deep Creek Lake at Deep Creek Lake State Park, the Discovery Center is a one-of-a-kind educational venue for people of all ages. Through hands-on exhibits that showcase the natural resources of Western Maryland, families can learn about the flora, fauna, wildlife, cultural and historical heritage that have turned this former logging and coal mining region into a popular modern day vacation destination.Whats more is they also have an Aviary that houses birds of prey that have been injured and cannot survive in the wild. Our kids love this place and so will yours!
5. Oakland Town
Restaurants, antique shopping, and museums oh my!
If we are up at Mad Men Lake House for a few days we will most always take a little trip into Oakland, Maryland. I love walking up and down the cute little town streets, windows shopping and antiquing. They have a farmers market Wednesdays and Saturdays June-October (And a few select dates in the spring and winter). A great bike shop called the Tiny Corner Bike Shop that offers repairs, rentals and ride recommendations. Oakland B&O Museum is great for kids and history enthusiast. There is also a cool restaurant/bar scene making headway in the town. The first of my two favorite spots, is the Sipside Lounge with speakeasy vibes and a cool fireside patio with live music many nights its opened if definitely a great time next to the railroad tracks in this historical town. Note they are not a restaurant but will often have a food truck there to sell food. The other place I love is Vagabond Taproom. The small plates are delicious, the drinks are amazing, and the owners like to sit and talk to their patrons about their story and the town of Oakland. This place is truly as must!
6. Monkey Business
An aerial adventure park featuring ziplines, free falling, and obstacle courses for visitors of all ages and more right next to the lake for unique way of experiencing lake views!
Monkey Business Adventure Park: This awesome obstacle adventure park course up in the air has three individual tiers which vary in difficulty levels making it the perfect activity for families or group of friends. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the views and take it easy on the lowest level, or feeling ready to challenge yourself on the higher levels, they have you covered! Each level has two courses, so whichever level you choose, you’ll take on fun challenges as you make your way around the courses at this adventure park and ropes course. They even have a mini-monkey corse for 4+ year olds for little ones wanting to monkey around too! They are open Spring through fall so give them a call to find out about their current schedule.
7. Deep Creek Fun Zone
Enjoy endless hours of family fun at with a variety of things to do for all ages .
The Deep Creek Fun Zone has indoor and outdoor attractions for year round fun. This place is not just for kids either. My husband and I have a complete blast on the go carts especially! Here is a list of all the fun to be had here:
Road Track Go Carts
Slick Track Go Carts
Miniature Golf
Kiddie Carts on Rookie Raceway
Bumper Boats
The Fun Zone Arcade
NEW and EXPANDED Laser
Axe Throwing
COMING SOON Ninga Factor
8. Western Trails
Horseback Riding with mountain and lake views is fun for the whole family! Our family loved it!
For Three generations Western Trails have been providing guests a verity of fun including trail rides, hay rides, hand led pony rides and newest to the mix is ATV side by side tours. While on the trail you may see whitetailed deer or wild turkey. The open fields and underdeveloped mountain side offer views of Deep Creek Lake. They are open all year and welcome all ages and experiences. We took our kids here for their first horse back riding experience then they were 4 years old and had such a memorable time!
9. LodeStone Golf Course
A modern trail-style golf course who’s design was dictated by the mountaintop terrain and shaped by 3-time U.S. Open Champion Hale Irwin, Lodestone Golf Course is in a league all its own.
Experience the #2 Ranked Public Golf Course in Maryland by GolfWeek Magazine (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) during your stay at Mad Men Lake House. It has some of the largest greens on the East Coast and sweeping views of mountain ranges and Deep Creek Lake along with stunning rock outcroppings and natural surroundings, Lodestone Golf Course is a mountain gem. Its fairways are big enough to be forgiving and the various tees offer variety and challenge for every golfer.
10. Ice Fishing
Experience Deep Creek Lake like you never have before!
Deep Creek Lake is the only place in Maryland you can have a guided Ice Fishing experience. Garrett Hoffman is a recognized ice-fishing expert and is the only person offering this experience in the states of Maryland. He has been fishing the area since he was nine years old and is a DNR-certified guide. Hoffman has all the specialized equipment to enjoy the sport to its fullest and provides everything you need for your trip. He currently has no website but you can contact him by phone to schedule an ice fishing experience: 301-616-6232
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