Maryland's Geologic Features
Swallow Falls, Garrett County
contact: Dale Shelton (dshelton@mgs.md.gov)
Swallow Falls is found in the state park by the same name, in Garrett County, MD. This cascading falls is the sixth highest in the State, at 16 feet. Swallow Falls has developed on the Youghiogheny River in the Conemaugh formation. The Conemaugh contains claystones, siltstones, shales, sandstones and several coal beds and contains fossils. These rocks date to the Pennsylvanian Period and are about 300 million years old.
Swallow Falls and nearby Muddy Creek Falls are popular hiking destinations in Western Maryland. Follow this link for more information on Swallow Falls State Park. Information on Maryland's mountains can be found at FactSheet 9: Maryland's Five Highest Waterfalls and Mountains.