7 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Maryland This Year
These seven natural wonders throughout Maryland showcase the variation of the landscape, the beauty of the coastline, and the ruggedness of the Appalachian Mountains. Assateague Island offers sandy beaches and protected wildlife along the Atlantic coast. The Crystal Grottoes Caverns are a mysterious and alluring place to see colorful rock formations. Cunningham Falls State Park and the Great Falls Overlook deliver challenging trails and dazzling waterfalls. Maryland's natural landmarks are called "America in Miniature" thanks to their uniqueness and diversity.
Brookside Gardens
Just outside Washington, D.C., and Silver Spring is Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. This 50-acre botanical garden contains many themed sections, including the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Butterfly Garden, each showcasing its natural beauty. The garden was founded in 1969, and admission is free and open to the public year-round. Rollerskating and biking are prohibited, and guests cannot feed or disturb the geese and wildlife who call the gardens their home.
The garden also hosts weddings for up to 120 people, with the Auditorium, the Japanese Pavilion, and the Yew Garden as options for the ceremony. The best times to visit Brookside Gardens are in spring (April to May) for tulips and cherry blossoms, or in fall (September to November) for the foliage and color change.
Swallow Falls State Park
Just north of Oakland in the western part of the state is Swallow Falls State Park, a 257-acre mountain park showcasing some of the most gorgeous scenery found within the state. The Youghiogheny River flows through the park's borders and rocky gorges, and Muddy Creek Falls is a 53-foot waterfall that's a spectacular sight, as it's the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state. Swallow Falls is also a hiking haven, with a few trails, and people can go swimming during the warmer months, with camper cabins available for overnight stays.
People can bring their pets to the park, but they must wear a leash at all times. The day-use areas are perfect for medium groups of people looking to play frisbee and cornhole and enjoy picnics, but the space is first-come, first-served. The best times to visit this glorious park are during the summer between June and August, when the temperature is warmer, which is perfect for swimming and summer hikes.
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
In the southern part of the state is the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, a 100-acre nature sanctuary west of the Chesapeake Bay with a boardwalk providing access to the region, and it is one of the northernmost sites with naturally occurring bald cypress trees, as the tree is typically found in the southeast. The Nature Conservancy acquired the swamp in 1957, and it was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1965.
During the spring, visitors are treated to wildflowers blooming in the northern part of the swamp, along with wildlife like wood ducks, prothonotary warblers, and minks. The rest of the swamp is tranquil, mysterious, and full of shade. The best times to visit are in the spring when the flowers are blooming or in autumn when the leaves begin to change.
Crystal Grottoes Caverns
On the western outskirts of Boonsboro is the Crystal Grottoes Caverns, the state's only commercialized cave, which was accidentally discovered in 1920 by a road construction crew quarrying limestone. By 1922, the cave opened to the public. The caves are an incredible natural wonder to be seen, as visitors can take a 40-minute tour of the caverns and observe the colorful rock formations created by groundwater dissolved through the limestone.
Visitors cannot touch the rock formations due to the oils and pollen on people's skin harming the delicate formations in the caverns. The exception is one hanging stalactite in the middle of the pathway, which guests are allowed to touch. The best time to visit the caverns is during the summer between June and August, as the average temperature in the caverns is around 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cunningham Falls State Park
About 19 to 21 miles north of Frederick is Cunningham Falls State Park on the outskirts of Thurmont, surrounded by the ridges of the Catoctin Mountains. The falls are the state's largest cascading waterfall within a 43-acre man-made lake, with the remains of an old iron furnace also on the grounds. The falls are renowned for their scenic beauty, lakeside beach, and popularity as a swimming area during the summer. Visitors to the park can also go hiking on numerous trails, like the 1.2-mile-long Cunningham Falls Lower Trail and Cliff Trail Loop or the 2.3-mile-long Chimney Rock Trail, as both trails provide hikers with views of the forested scenery and water.
People can also go fishing, boating, and camping in designated camping grounds for a more natural experience. The best time to visit these falls is during the summer, between June and August, for a chance to go swimming and enjoy the lakeside beach.
Assateague Island National Seashore
The Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles of sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays, welcoming people for relaxation. Visitors to the area can go birdwatching, view wild horses (who are descendants of domesticated horses brought over in the 17th century) roam freely, go on kayak and boat tours via Assateague Explorer, and enjoy a tranquil day out on the water.
There are two parks on the island: the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Assateague State Park, which was named one of the 10 best state parks in the country by National Geographic Travel in 1994. People can also camp in designated areas and pay $40 a night or $80 a night for a group. The best time to visit this immaculate wonder is around September, when the weather isn't too hot, the ocean is warm, air temperatures are more comfortable, mosquitoes are fewer, and crowds are smaller.
Great Falls Overlook
The Great Falls Overlook is where hikers and nature enthusiasts can view Great Falls, where the Potomac River drops about 60 feet and continues down the Mather Gorge. The falls can only be accessed on foot, and the overlooks provide different views. On the Maryland side, people can view the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and hike the 4.7-mile Billy Goat Trail (sections A, B, and C combined), which is rocky and strenuous, but a striking treat to see and hear the falls.
When visiting the canal, people are treated to canal rides for up to nine people and a visitor center. Admission to the area costs around $20 per private vehicle, and an individual pass costs $10 to $20. The best times to visit this natural landmark are in spring for roaring waters and autumn for the foliage surrounding the region. When visiting, make sure to go on a clear day to get a clear picture of the falls.
Natural Wonders Found Across Maryland
Maryland is a gorgeous state that's full of incredible history, notable cities, and natural wonders in all regions. Swallow Falls State Park is a mountainous destination with dramatic scenery to take in, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is an ancient swamp to explore, and Cunningham Falls State Park is a scenic family destination. Each of these natural wonders gives the state character and contributes to the beauty and history found throughout Maryland, and they are excellent weekend spots to visit while exploring on a Saturday or on a much-needed vacation.
