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Fall Foliage Driving Tours
These self-guided driving tours will highlight the splendor of Garrett County's fall foliage in the Southern and Northern end of the county. While traveling along some of Maryland's Scenic Byways, you'll see the gorgeous colors of fall everywhere you look. Take your time, drive a little slower and take in the beauty of autumn! Don't forget to have your camera ready!! You won't be surprised if you have some wildlife sightings on these gorgeous fall days. There really is no better way to spend an autumn day in Garrett County.
Mileage is approximate
Self Guided Extended Fall Foliage Heritage Driving Tour- Southern Garrett County
Tour Highlights: Oakland's Town Trail, Maryland's High Point, Loch Lynn Trail and Simon Pearce Glass
Drive 62 miles, 1 hour, 45 minutes
Directions:
- Head NW on Visitor Center Dr. Turn RIGHT to stay on Visitor Center Dr.
- Turn RIGHT on US Rte. 219, go approximately 13 miles
- Turn RIGHT on to East Oak St at the light
(To the left on S 1st Street is 103 Town Park Ln - Oakland Town Trail, the old 300 Room Oakland Hotel site is on this walking trail. Torn down in 1909 for lumber the stone “gas house” is all that remains)
- Continue down E Oak St. to follow MD-39 W, go 1.2 miles
- Turn LEFT onto Old Crellin Rd
- Turn RIGHT at the stop sign on to Underwood Rd. Go approximately 1.8 miles
- Turn left onto Mansfield Rd. Go approximately 2.1 miles
- Turn right onto US-219 S entering West Virginia Destination will be on the left approximately 8.5 miles
(3086 Seneca Trail, Eglon, WV 26716 - MD Highest Point- pull off is on the right to get out and hike to the tallest point or to turn around)
- U- turn to head back north on US-219 N toward Smallest Church Rd Entering Maryland
- Turn RIGHT onto US 50 E at the stop sign
- Go about 0.5 miles, Turn LEFT on Mason School Road
- Turn RIGHT onto Pleasant Valley Rd
- Turn LEFT at the stop sign to stay on Pleasant Valley Rd
- Turn RIGHT onto Lyndale Rd, Continue straight for approximately 3.5 miles
- Turn LEFT onto Tallahassee St
- Turn RIGHT onto Bonnie Blvd
(300 W 2nd Ave, Loch Lynn Heights, MD 21550 – Loch Lynn Trail, this walking trail wraps around the soccer fields)
- Head northeast on Bonnie Blvd toward Tuscawalla St
- Turn LEFT onto MD-560 N/Paul St Continue to follow MD-560 N
- Turn RIGHT onto MD-135 E. at the stoplight
- Turn LEFT onto Glass Dr to go to the Simon Pearce Factory
(265 Glass Dr, Oakland, MD 21550 – Simon Pearce)
- Head southeast on Glass Dr
- Turn LEFT onto MD-135 E. at the stop sign
- Turn LEFT onto Broadford Rd
- Turn RIGHT onto Kings Run Rd
- Turn RIGHT onto US-219 N
- Turn LEFT onto Visitors Center Dr
- Turn LEFT turn into 15 Visitors Center Dr. McHenry, MD 21541
Self Guided Short Driving Fall Foliage Heritage Tour- Southern Garrett County
Tour Highlights: Barn Quilts, Cranesville Swamp, Swallow Falls State Park, Muddy Creek Falls and Toliver Falls
Drive 26 miles approx. 55 minutes
Directions:
1. Start at the Garrett County Visitors Center at 15 Visitors Center Drive, McHenry, MD 21541.
2. Turn LEFT onto Garrett Highway (US-219, North)
3.Turn LEFT onto Sang Run Road
4. At the bottom of the hill, at the intersection, take a LEFT turn to continue on Sang Run Road. (Side stop, at the intersection, pullover somewhere safe to stop and see #9 Sallie’s T Barn Quilt owned by Reed Rodeheaver)
5. Continue onto Sang Run Rd and travel approximately 2 Miles
6. Friend’s Store will be on the right. (There is also a barn Quilt on the Friend’s Store - #18 Flying Geese owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.)
Historically, the Friend family proprietor sold food staples in the tiny store and also bought, sold and traded ginseng for the local residents. Although no longer open to the public, it is a great stop to view this historic building.
7. Head west on Sang Run Rd
8. Turn LEFT to continue on Sang Run, go approximately 3 Miles
8. Turn LEFT onto Cranesville Rd at the stop sign
(Optional stop: Cranesville Swamp follow steps 9-14, or skip and continue to step 15)
9. Go approximately 3 miles Turn RIGHT onto Lake Ford Rd, Entering West Virginia
10. Continue straight for 1 mile onto Feather Rd (gravel road)
11. Turn RIGHT onto Cranesville Swamp small parking pull off. (Marked with a large rock and mounted sign)
The Cranesville Swamp is located in a frost pocket, an area where the surrounding hills capture moisture and cold air that conspire to create a landscape more reminiscent of habitat found much further north in Canada. There are several trails and opportunities for glimpses of more than 50 rare plants and a variety of animals.
12. Head back toward Cranesville Rd
13. Continue onto Lake Ford Rd
14. Turn right onto Cranesville Rd
15. Go approximately 6.5 miles, Turn left onto Swallow Falls Rd
16. This route will take you past Swallow Falls State Park **please note the park could currently be requiring reservations, please check Swallow Falls State Park to verify and make any require reservations.**
Swallow Falls State Park is home to several waterfalls including Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls, Swallow Falls and Tolliver Falls. Beautiful hiking and photo opportunities abound in this park.
17. Turn left onto Oakland Sang Run Rd at the stop sign
18. Make a slight left to stay on Oakland Sang Run Rd.
19. 1.5 miles then turn right onto Shingle Camp Rd
(On the left is The Fork Run rail system features fantastic hiking and mountain biking opportunities.)
20. Continue 2.2 miles down Shingle Camp Road to the stop sign
21. Turn LEFT onto Wisp Mountain Road
22. Go 1.2 miles, Turn RIGHT onto Overlook Pass
23. Turn LEFT onto Marsh Hill Road at the stop sign
24. Turn RIGHT onto Sang Run Road at the stop sign
25. Turn RIGHT onto Garrett Highway at the stop sign
26. Turn right onto Visitors Center Dr, the Visitors Center will be on the left.
Cell Phone availability will be intermittent; GPS navigation may be as well.
Garrett County Fall Foliage begins late September and peaks in mid-October. For more information please call the Maryland Fall Foliage Hotline at
1-800-LEAVES1