Fun on the water: Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Whether you enjoy camping, water sports, hiking or skiing, Deep Creek Lake in Maryland has something for everyone.  The area is filled with rivers, lakes and mountains, providing an array of activities for every season and every kind of vacationer.

Personally, I've only been there during the warm summer months for trips filled with boating, swimming and maybe a few frosty beverages, but, from what I hear, Deep Creek Lake is also an amazing place for skiing and hiking. 

This website: http://www.visitdeepcreek.com/ can get you started on your search for all that Deep Creek has to offer.

When it comes to finding a place to stay, Deep Creek has many options, including cabins, bed & breakfasts and rental homes.  For us, renting a home is always preferable, so we didn't hesitate to book with the fine people at Railey Mountain Lake Vacations.  They were particularly helpful and their vacation home options were just what we were looking for.

Sunrise over the mountains

During our stay, we decided to rent a pontoon boat and spend a day out on the water.  We rented ours from Bill's and, if you are required to have one, you can obtain a temporary Maryland Boating Safety Certificate on-site.  Check their website for more information on that subject.



Deep Creek Lake

I can't help but think of this song when I look at this picture...
Little Big Town - Pontoon

We spent the day touring the lake (and its 65 miles of shoreline) and checking out some of the amazing homes built there.  We dropped anchor for a little swim, then parked at the dock of Lakeside Creamery for an afternoon treat.  Our favorite spot on the lake was definitely the Honi Honi Bar, a fun bar/restaurant where you can dock your boat, let the kids play in a park-like setting and enjoy live music.  We've been back to Deep Creek a few times now and have managed to squeeze in a trip to the Honi Honi every time :)

That's our son rocking out with the band at the Honi Honi

While there aren't a lot of public beaches in the area, we did manage to find one park that had  everything we were looking for.  Deep Creek Lake State Park was a beautiful area with picnic tables, playgrounds, restrooms and a sandy beach.  They even had activities for kids (I believe they were making tie dyed shirts the day we were there).  There is a cost to enter the park, but I believe the pass was for the whole day and you could come and go as you pleased.  I assume the rates change from season to season, so check their website for more details on the cost.  I will say that it ended up being well worth the price of admission.

One thing to keep in mind about the area is that it's filled with wildlife.  From the deck of the home we rented we could see all kinds of animals... including black bears.  During a stroll through the backyard, I spotted a bear cub in the woods and, while it certainly didn't seem too threatening and had no interest in me whatsoever, I was reminded that, where there is a cub, there is usually a mama bear close by.  Whether you find a pet-friendly place to bring your pooch or have small children vacationing with you, this is something you should be mindful of.

In general, Deep Creek Lake is the kind of place where you can find something to entertain anyone in your group.  Whether you're looking forward to s'mores around a campfire or trying your hand at fly fishing, Deep Creek is definitely worth checking out.