Call Us: (301) 387-5999

Deep Creek Dunk: A Complete Guide to Weekend Events

Deep Creek Dunk

Deep Creek Dunk

The Deep Creek Dunk is a favorite winter event that draws big crowds to that area each year. When is the Deep Creek Dunk? The 2023 Deep Creek dunk is February 25 at Uno Chicago Grill/the Honi-Honi bar. Taylor-Made is a proud sponsor of the festivities that benefit Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD).

If you’re not familiar, the Deep Creek Dunk was started in 1998 with the support of the Maryland State Police and Natural Resources Police. Individuals and teams commit to “dunking” in the icy lake water and raise funds for SOMD during the months prior. The day of the event takes on a festive atmosphere with music and a costume contest keeping everyone entertained.

Here’s the complete schedule for Deep Creek Dunk weekend:

Friday, February 24

Goosebumps, Grapes & Growlers – Head to the Honi-Honi from 6-9PM for an evening of fire and wine. The admission goes to Special Olympics. Taste a variety of wine and beer from the comfort of a heated tent.

Continue reading “Deep Creek Dunk: A Complete Guide to Weekend Events”

Top 14 Deep Creek Lake Winter Activities for Non-Skiers



It’s a common conundrum – what’s a non-skier to do when friends and family are hitting the slopes at Wisp Resort?  Deep Creek Lake winter activities offers lots of options that can keep every member of your crew entertained.  It’s a great way to enjoy a weekend getaway near Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Washington, DC.

Here are just a few of our favorite Deep Creek Lake winter activities for the non-skiers staying at a Deep Creek Lake vacation rental:

Deep Creek Lake winter activities

Hiking at Swallow Falls State Park
Crisp white snow makes this beautiful place even more spectacular, and it’s definitely a must see throughout all four seasons.  If you’re up for some serious hiking, explore trails to all three of the waterfalls – Swallow Falls, Muddy Creek Falls, and Tolliver Falls.  There is also a handicap accessible trail and view platform at Muddy Creek Falls for those that need an easier route or just want to take a short stroll.   Be sure to bring your camera and wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.  Trails can be slippery during the winter months.  Get more info.

Simon Pearce Tours
Watch master glassblowers at work, then shop for the beautiful items they make in the retail store.  You can also choose from a wide variety of second-quality glass. Located in Mountain Lake Park, it is just a short drive from most Deep Creek Lake vacation rentals. Find out more.

Guided Snowshoe Tours
Weather permitting, All Earth Eco Tours offers another great way to experience Swallow Falls State Park. Their snowshoe tours are a “no experience required” way to cruise through the woods and take in the scenery.  For those seeking high adventure, ask about their trips to Big Savage Mountain and Lost Lands.

Sleigh Rides at Deep Creek Lake

Sleigh Rides
One of the classic Deep Creek Lake winter activities, you can t
ake a ride back in time as you swish through open fields and over hills listening to the sound of muffled hoof beats in the snow.  Sleigh rides at Pleasant Valley Dream Rides are an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors no matter what your age.

Cold Drinks By a Warm Fire
Get cozy by the fireplace at local restaurants like Firewater Kitchen & Bar, Uno Chicago Grill or Dutch’s at Silver Tree, and warm-up with your favorite beverage.

Sled Riding at Blackwater Falls State Park
Within one hour of the Deep Creek Lake area, you’ll find the ultimate sledding hill!  Head to Blackwater Falls State Park to ride up on a conveyor, sled to the bottom, and repeat!  Bring your own sled or rent one on-site.

Sample Award Winning Cheeses
Stop by Firefly Farms in nearby Accident, to check out their award winning goat cheese and browse their selection of gourmet foods. They can even make you a personalized cheese board to go.

Cross Country Skiing
With minimal instruction, you can kick and glide on cross country ski trails at Herrington Manor State Park and New Germany State Park.  Call ahead to check trail conditions and for rental equipment availability.

Shops & Antiques
Avoid the cold temperatures when you visit area shops and antique stores.  Schoolhouse Earth, Bear Creek Traders, A Mountain Fix, and High Mountain Sports are a few of our favorites at the lake.  Take a short drive to Oakland to browse antiques at Englander’s or Cabin Fever. You can also shop at The Painted Cupboard or Oakland Mercantile. While you are there, hit up Flipside Sounds – a vinyl shop in downtown Oakland.

Deep Creek Axe Throwing Co.
Test your skills in the Deep Creek Lake axe throwing arena! This fun indoor activity is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Museum Tours
When visiting Oakland, history buffs should stop at the two museums operated by the Garrett County Historical Society.  Return to the past as you explore area treasures, learn about early settlers, and check out Model T Fords. Call for hours of operation.

Snow Tubing, Mountain Coaster Rides, & Escape Games
Wisp Resort is well-known for skiing, but they also offer a variety of activities that anyone can enjoy. Reserve a snow tubing session, try out the escape game, or take a ride on the mountain coaster.

Arcades
Everyone in your group will enjoy playing a wide variety arcade games and snacking on great food at Deep Creek Fun Zone.

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center
Fun for kids of all ages, the Discovery Center is a one-of-a-kind environmental center with hands-on exhibits that showcase the natural resources of Western Maryland. Open Friday-Sunday from 10AM-4PM during the winter season.

Deep Creek Holiday Activities for 2022

deep creek holiday activities

Deep Creek holiday activities are happening throughout the month of December. There are lots of opportunities to catch the spirit of the season. You can visit with Santa, attend a tree lighting, find the perfect gift local shops, check out Christmas light displays, and much more.

Deep Creek Holiday Activities

Christmas in the Village
Friday, December 2nd, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm , Saturday, December 3rd, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Held at Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville, this is a favorite area tradition. Enjoy strolling and live music in the Village Church, activities in the Village buildings, hot chocolate and cider, and luminaries throughout the Village paths and over the Casselman River Bridge. In addition to the activities in the Spruce Forest Artisan Village, there are guest artists in the Great Room above Penn Alps. 

A Great Small Town Christmas
December 2nd and 3rd, Oakland
A Great Small Town Christmas kicks off with a walking holiday light parade led by Santa followed by the tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 2nd at the B&O Museum. There will also be sleigh rides, carols, store specials, and a special treat from Santa! Saturday the fun continues with Soup N’ Santa! Area non-profits will hand out free soup (donations are encouraged), visit with Santa, free sleigh rides, live music, and local shopping.

Holiday Open House
December 3rd from 10 am to 12 pm, you can enjoy cookies, crafts, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center.

2022 Joy of Christmas Light Show

Holiday Lights at Broadford Park
Thursday-Sunday, 6pm, Set your GPS to 1600 Pittsburgh Ave. in Mt. Lake Park, MD
See the many light displays provided by various businesses, churches, extracurricular groups, and family groups. Money raised on the first night will benefits organizations. Cost is $10 per car.

Holiday Open House at Deep Creek Pottery
December 3rd, 10am-5pm
This festive Holiday Open House includes guest artist Connie Pardini of Wirestorm Creations! Lots of new pottery, handmade jewelry and decorative metalwork along with door prizes, holiday snacks, and cider too!

Dutch’s Ugly Sweater Party
December 2nd, 5pm
Dutch’s at Silver Tree will have Tito’s drink features and a contest for the best ugly sweater.

Oakland Express at the B&O Museum
December 10th and 17th, 5:30pm-7:30pm, B&O Museum in Oakland.
For children ages 4-9, there will be crafts, snacks, and a visit with Santa.

The event is free, but donations are always appreciated.

There is limited space for this event. Please call Nicole McCullough at 301-334-2691 to make a reservation. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Get Your Jingle On – Holiday Open House
December 10th, 10am to 4pm, Deep Creek Lavender Farm
Annual Holiday Open House with music, raffles, sales and more. Enjoy Lavender teas or a cup of lavender hot chocolate and munchies as you shop.

Christmas at Brodak’s
December 11th, 2 pm to 4 pm
Brodak’s banquet hall hosts crafts for kids and story time with Santa himself!

Deep Creek Lake New Year’s Getaways Quick Guide



Deep Creek Lake New Year’s getaways are a favorite way to celebrate with family and friends. There are lots of fun activities, festive events, and the mountain scenery makes your trip all the more memorable. It is a truly special way to usher in the New Year.

Deep Creek New Year's Getaways

Our quick guide includes reservation tips as well as Deep Creek Lake New Year’s  events. I’ll keep it updated as area happenings are announced, so be sure to check back often.

Reserve your home early! I can’t stress that enough. Our homes typically sell out well in advance of the holiday. If you wait until December 1 to make plans, availability will very limited.

-If you are hosting a gathering at one of our homes, take the stress out of the festivities by having it catered or by picking up takeout. Visit our concierge page to see Deep Creek restaurants.
Continue reading “Deep Creek Lake New Year’s Getaways Quick Guide”

Upcoming Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events



Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events

Deep Creek Lake holiday events keep things festive in the mountain of Western Maryland throughout late November and early December. If you love unique, local art or are looking for fun kids’ activities, you won’t be disappointed.

It is easy to catch the spirit of the season when you experience fun activities with friends and family. The best way to start is to choose your perfect mountain home – maybe one with a cozy fireplace or bubbling outdoor hot tub – and then plan your trip around one of these favorite Deep Creek Lake holiday events.

FESTIVAL OF TREES GARRETT COUNTY
November 29-30 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds
Benefitting the Dove Center, there are lots of family activities to enjoy. Breakfast with Santa, crafts, face painting, and more will keep the kids entertained. Plus, you can shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and vendors. Beautifully decorated trees are found throughout the exhibit hall, and they are auctioned off at 6PM on Saturday as the grand finale. MORE INFO

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
November 30 at Honi-Honi Bar, 7PM
Fun for the entire family, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Honi Honi Bar also features photos with Santa Claus and live entertainment from 8-11pm. MORE INFO

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
December 6-7 at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village, 4-8PM Fri., Noon to 8PM Sat.
This event is a local favorite. Candle luminaries light the village that is filled with fire-warmed artisan studios and historic museums. Get to know the artists and buy unique holiday gifts. There are activities for kids as well as choral programs. MORE INFO

A GREAT SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS
Downtown Oakland, December 6-7
Experience the small town charm of Oakland! The event centers around the historic town center. There are fun festivities every weekend that include photos with Santa, free soup from local non-profits, great deals at local shops, a tree lighting ceremony and much more!
MORE INFO

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Honi-Honi
December 21, 8PM-11PM
Break out your ugliest Christmas sweater and head to the Honi-Honi for great live entertainment by Brother Short. MORE INFO

Storytime with Santa at Taylor-Made
December 24
Santa makes his annual visit to the Taylor-Made office to read a story and take photos before heading out to deliver toys.

More Deep Creek Lake holiday events will pop up in the next week or two, so I’ll add them this post when I have more info. Check back, and I’ll keep you updated!

Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake



If you like to hike, you’ll love snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake! When the newscasters are frantically reporting the latest “blizzard of the century,” that’s the perfect time to strap on some snowshoes and head outside.  Whether your goal is to get out for a leisurely walk in the snow or go for a more physically challenging adventure, you’ll find this traditional mode of travel easy to learn—and effective at getting you where you want to go.  With miles of hiking trails available to snowshoe enthusiasts in area state parks, Garrett County is home to endless opportunities for winter backcountry travel.

Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake

History of Snowshoeing

The origin and age of snowshoes are not precisely known. Historians believe they were invented from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, probably starting in Central Asia. Before humans built snowshoes, nature provided examples. Several animals, most notably the snowshoe hare, had evolved over the years with oversized feet enabling them to move more quickly through deep snow. Continue reading “Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake”

Wisp Resort Snow Tubing: 5 Things to Know Before You Go



Wisp Resort snow tubing is a favorite Deep Creek Lake winter activity! There are “no skills required”, so the entire family can enjoy it together.

wisp resort snow tubing

About Wisp Resort Snow Tubing

Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park offers twelve tubing lanes. Each one is 750 feet long. This area has its own snowmaking and grooming machines. Grab a tube and ride one of the two conveyor carpets to the top of the hill. Staff is on hand to help you out at the top and bottom.

What you need to know before you go

Wisp Resort snow tubing is popular, so reservations are recommended. Each session is two hours. There is no age limit, but kids must be 42 inches tall to go tubing. Currently, the cost for standard sessions is $24 and premium sessions are $34. Always check with Wisp for the most up-to-date pricing.

Continue reading “Wisp Resort Snow Tubing: 5 Things to Know Before You Go”

Deep Creek Lake Cross Country Skiing Guide



Deep Creek Lake cross country skiing offers adventure to some and peace of mind to others. It is an accessible sport that appeals to all ability levels and ages.  One of the best aerobic workouts in the world, this multi-generational activity is known for its quick learning curve, low injury rate and low impact motions.  Refreshing the mind as well as the body, cross country (Nordic) skiing provides a sense of solitude for many as they inhale crisp mountain air and travel through hardwood forests and open meadows.

Deep Creek Lake Cross Country Skiing

Garrett County and the surrounding areas offer miles trails.  Most of the trails in the county were developed in the 1930’s through the combined efforts of the state of Maryland’s Forestry Department and the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The CCC is responsible for much of the labor that went into developing New Germany and Herrington Manor State Parks.

New Germany State Park

New Germany’s 12 miles of trails are probably the most well known.  Lending themselves to all ability levels, the groomed trails are perfect for beginners. Novice skiers will enjoy the flat Green trail that parallels Poplar Lick or the Three Bridges trail.  For more advanced skiers, there are many trails that branch off the Green Trail and climb the steeper walls of the stream valley.  The trails are very well marked, but always have a map handy just in case.  Cross country ski and snow shoe rentals are available as conditions allow. Continue reading “Deep Creek Lake Cross Country Skiing Guide”

Wisp Resort Opening Friday December 15, 2017!



wisp resort opening

Big news – Wisp Resort opening December 15, 2017, weather permitting!

Wisp Resort started some serious snowmaking efforts the evening of December 6th. The snow guns have been going strong ever since. Cold temperatures in the extended forecast. That gives them a good window to reach their goal of Wisp Resort opening Friday the 15th.

They are making snow at the Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park as well as on the slopes. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, they also have an ice skating rink this is open every weekend.
Continue reading “Wisp Resort Opening Friday December 15, 2017!”

Complete Schedule for A Great Small Town Christmas



A Great Small Town Christmas

A Great Small Town Christmas is underway now through December 16th in Oakland – just a short drive from the Deep Creek Lake area. You will find something for every member of the family!

The charming downtown will host horse drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa himself and lots of great deals at local shops.

Here’s the rundown for all of the fun events that are part of A Great Small Town  Christmas:

The Joy of Christ: December 4 to December 8 at the Oakland Community Center (Oakland Armory), starting at 6:30PM. Food will be available for purchase. Free event.

Our Town Theatre’s Annual Christmas Market: Saturday, December 2 from 10-3 at Our Town Theatre. Browse gifts made by local artisans get some yummy treats at the bake sale!

ALL Saturday’s Nov 25 through Dec 16 – 11 am to 3 pm

-Soup and Santa (Non-profits serving soup throughout downtown)

-Elves

-Carolers caroling throughout the downtown

-Pictures with Santa Claus by Smoke N Mirrors in the grass lot beside Englander’s

December 8th & 9th:  Continue reading “Complete Schedule for A Great Small Town Christmas”