10 Best Waterfalls in Maryland (2026 Updated)
Of the 15 named waterfalls in Maryland, these 10 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Muddy Creek Falls, Great Falls, and Tolliver Falls. The list spans the Allegheny Plateau, Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont, and Catoctin Mountain.
How We Picked
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Maryland waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Muddy Creek Falls
Oakland, MD · Garrett County · Allegheny Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 5.0-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 43 reviews. 98% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "State's highest waterfall at 53 feet flowing through a river gorge in forested state park." It is one of 5 named falls in the Allegheny Plateau region. Lower Swallow Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Oakland, about 6.5 miles to the south.
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2. Great Falls
Potomac, MD · Montgomery County · Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Maryland, holding 4.8 stars across 623 Google reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Stretch of powerful rapids & waterfalls on the Potomac River, with hiking trails nearby." It is one of 8 named falls in the Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont region. The Spout is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Potomac, about 2.8 miles to the northeast.
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3. Tolliver Falls
Oakland, MD · Garrett County · Allegheny Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 15 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "Low, gentle waterfall in Swallow Falls State Park with a scenic forest setting & a swimming hole." It is one of 5 named falls in the Allegheny Plateau region. Upper Swallow Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Oakland, about 6.0 miles to the south.
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4. Stubblefield Falls
Potomac, MD · Montgomery County · Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.4-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 11 reviews. It is one of 8 named falls in the Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont region. Yellow Falls is only 0.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Potomac, about 3.5 miles to the north.
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5. Upper Swallow Falls
Oakland, MD · Garrett County · Allegheny Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.9-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 8 reviews. Older records also call it Swallow Falls. It is one of 5 named falls in the Allegheny Plateau region. Tolliver Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Oakland, about 6.1 miles to the south.
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6. Amos Falls
Rising Sun, MD · Cecil County · Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.8-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 9 reviews. It is one of 8 named falls in the Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont region. The nearest town is Rising Sun, about 6.1 miles to the northeast.
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7. Cunningham Falls
Thurmont, MD · Frederick County · Catoctin Mountain
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.3-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 61 reviews. Older records also call it McAfee Falls. It is one of 2 named falls in the Catoctin Mountain region. The nearest town is Thurmont, about 3.3 miles to the east.
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8. Gilpins Falls
North East, MD · Cecil County · Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.1-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 38 reviews. Older records also call it Gilpin's Falls. It is one of 8 named falls in the Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont region. The nearest town is North East, about 3.3 miles to the south.
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9. The Cascade
Myersville, MD · Frederick County · Catoctin Mountain
Why it made the list
It holds a 3.0-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 26 reviews. It is one of 2 named falls in the Catoctin Mountain region. The nearest town is Myersville, about 2.4 miles to the west.
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10. Wiley Falls
Jarrettsville, MD · Harford County · Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont
Why it made the list
The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 100 ft high, approximately 860 ft. long; located along Falling Rocks Branch, 1.1 mi NE of Ivory Mill. Name history: Named for Matthew Wiley (1751-1840), the first of five generations of the Wiley family to own and operate the grain mills in the area. It is one of 8 named falls in the Potomac Fall Line and the Piedmont region. The nearest town is Jarrettsville, about 5.8 miles to the south.
When to Visit Maryland's Waterfalls
Spring is generally the strongest season for Maryland's falls, when winter snowmelt in Garrett County and frequent spring rains raise every stream. The Great Falls of the Potomac reflects rainfall over a vast upstream basin, so it can roar after storms in any season and runs especially high in late winter and spring. Summer brings lower flows and hot, humid weather, although Garrett County stays noticeably cooler. October is a fine month across the state, with fall color usually arriving first on the Allegheny Plateau and later in the Piedmont. Winter can coat Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls in ice, but snow and freezing spray make paths treacherous.
Before You Go
Nearly all of Maryland's well-known falls are on public land: state parks such as Swallow Falls and Cunningham Falls, and the C&O Canal National Historical Park at Great Falls, which charges an entrance fee on the Maryland side. Popular parks fill quickly on summer weekends and holidays, and some state parks close their gates once parking is full, so arriving early helps. The Potomac at Great Falls is one of the most dangerous stretches of river in the region, with powerful currents and hidden hazards; wading and climbing on riverside rocks have led to many drownings. In Garrett County, ledges are wet and slippery, and water is cold well into spring. Some Piedmont falls lie close to private property.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Maryland Waterfalls
See all 15 waterfalls in the Maryland waterfall guide, or browse by town: Oakland, Potomac, Rising Sun, Thurmont, North East, Myersville, Jarrettsville.
More Maryland Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Maryland?
Muddy Creek Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 5.0-star rating from 43 Google reviews. It is near Oakland in Garrett County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Maryland waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history.
How many waterfalls are in Maryland?
Our directory lists 15 named waterfalls in Maryland. See them all, sorted by town, in the Maryland waterfall guide.
What is the tallest waterfall in Maryland?
Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, is described as the state's highest waterfall at 53 feet. It drops over a sandstone ledge into a forested gorge.