
One of the original 13 colonies, Maryland is one of the oldest states in the United States. For those who don’t know, there are countless rivers, plains, and mountains in Maryland, making the land extremely diverse. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that Maryland has some of the best waterfalls. Listed below are ten of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Maryland that you should absolutely check out!
1. Raven Rock Falls

Raven Rock Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Maryland, features an interesting sloped cascade, allowing visitors to access the top.
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Raven Rock Falls | |
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Location: | Baltimore County, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Gunpowder Falls State Park |
Animals to See: | Common Goldeneye, Ring-Necked Duck |
Raven Rock Falls lies in Gunpowder Falls State Park, a park covering over 17,000 acres. Embraced by lush forests, the hike along the Big Gunpowder River is long. Once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll see the Raven Rock Falls, which has a 25-foot drop. Raven Rock Falls is best seen immediately after heavy rains.
Next up, we have a stunning waterfall in Maryland that borders another state!
2. Great Falls

The Great Falls is on the border of Maryland and Virginia.
©iStock.com/Douglas Rissing
Great Falls | |
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Location: | Montgomery County, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Great Falls Park |
Animals to See: | Box Turtle, White-Tail Deer |
The Great Falls is a waterfall in Maryland that is located along the Potomac River. A 75-foot drop cascades wonderfully over a number of rock formations, and it is quite powerful. As for activities, you can go kayaking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting while visiting the park alone, with friends, or with your family.
3. Muddy Creek Falls

Muddy Creek Falls can be found along the Youghiogheny River.
©Steve Heap/Shutterstock.com
Muddy Creek Falls | |
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Location: | Oakland, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Swallow Falls State Park |
Animals to See: | Black Bear, Turkey |
An impressive 54-foot waterfall, Muddy Creek Falls is surrounded by tall hemlocks and mossy green woods. There’s a little over a mile of trail to the falls, but the entire hike there is absolutely gorgeous thanks to the scenery. There are a lot of rocks to climb on to give you a better view of the waterfalls, but be careful as the rocks can be slippery.
Next, we’ll explore the tallest waterfall in Maryland!
4. Cunningham Falls

Cunningham Falls is the tallest waterfall in Maryland.
©iStock.com/BernieK
Cunningham Falls | |
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Location: | Thurmont, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Cunningham Falls State Park |
Animals to See: | Kentucky Warbler, Baltimore Oriole |
Cunningham Falls, which drops 78 feet, is the tallest and one of the most popular waterfalls in Maryland. There are two main trails leading to the falls as well as a parking lot from which one can see the lower falls if one cannot make the hike. There are also many things to do at Cunningham Falls State Park, such as camping, boating, and fishing!Â
Looking for a waterfall that isn’t well-known? We’ve got a waterfall in Maryland that is an absolute hidden gem.Â
5. Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls is one of Maryland’s hidden treasures.
©iStock.com/Jon Bilous
Cascade Falls | |
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Location: | Elkridge, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Patapsco Valley State Park |
Animals to See: | American Bullfrog, Common Watersnake |
The surrounding landscape is forest and rocky terrain. Upon reaching the end of the trail, you will come across Cascade Falls. With its height of only 9 feet, this waterfall features a beautiful trickle along the rocks, while the pool below is the perfect spot to cool off.
6. Tolliver Falls

Tolliver Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Maryland, with colorful leaves and lush vegetation all around.
©Thomas Anthony Doran/Shutterstock.com
Tolliver Falls | |
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Location: | Oakland, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Swallow Falls State Park |
Animals to See: | Purple Finch, Broad-Winged Hawk |
This waterfall in Maryland is located in Swallow Falls State Park. Located within the same state park as Muddy Creek Falls, this waterfall is also an excellent sight to see, although not as large. Despite only being a few feet away, this fall’s particular flow of water creates an incredibly tranquil setting.
7. Kilgore Falls

Kilgore Falls is known as “the second-highest vertical drop” waterfall in Maryland.
©iStock.com/flownaksala
Kilgore Falls | |
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Location: | Pylesville, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Rocks State Park |
Animals to See: | Scarlet Tanager, House Wren |
You’ll have to hike a short distance to get to Kilgore Falls. There can be a lot of people on this trail on the weekends, especially during the summer. When you reach there, you’ll understand why. The pool below is incredibly popular, despite a drop of only 17 feet. Because of all the attention, this waterfall has received, reservations are required on weekends and holidays, such as Labor Day.Â
8. Swallow Falls

Swallow Falls flows into the Youghiogheny River via a gorgeous cascade.
Swallow Falls | |
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Location: | Oakland, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Swallow Falls State Park |
Animals to See: | Bobcat, White-Tail Deer |
Despite being one of the smaller waterfalls in Swallow Falls State Park, this one holds the name of the park due to the swallows that once nestled here. Sadly, since human activity has increased in this area, the majority of the population has fled. At the bottom of this flowing cascade is a pool of water, making it the perfect place to cool off from the hot summer sun.
9. Round Falls

Right in the city of Baltimore, Round Falls is a 10 ft tall manmade waterfall.
©Cascade Creatives/Shutterstock.com
Round Falls | |
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Location: | Baltimore, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | National Aquarium |
Animals to See: | Raccoon, Opossum |
Round Falls is a 10 ft tall manmade wonder that creates a large semi-circle. The falls can be seen from a large viewing platform. People and cyclists both flock to this small getaway from the city, which is located right in Baltimore. Despite being manmade, this is still an absolutely gorgeous waterfall in Maryland.
10. Gilpin’s Falls

North East Creek plunges 106 feet directly over Gilpin’s Falls.
©Famartin / Creative Commons – License
Gilpin’s Falls | |
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Location: | North East, Maryland |
Nearby Attractions: | Turkey Point Lighthouse |
Animals to See: | American Elk, Eastern Harvest Mouse |
A covered bridge is the main access point to Gilpin’s Falls, which happens to be one of six remaining covered bridges in Maryland. Samuel Gilpin once owned these falls, which he used to power his mills to grind corn and saw wood. A visit to this waterfall is an unforgettable experience, especially when you consider its history.
Summary of the 10 Amazing Waterfalls in Maryland
Here’s a summary of the 10 amazing waterfalls in Maryland and where they are located:
Number | Waterfall | Location |
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1 | Raven Rock Falls | Baltimore County, Maryland |
2 | Great Falls | Montgomery County, Maryland |
3 | Muddy Creek Falls | Oakland, Maryland |
4 | Cunningham Falls | Thurmont, Maryland |
5 | Cascade Falls | Elkridge, Maryland |
6 | Tolliver Falls | Oakland, Maryland |
7 | Kilgore Falls | Pylesville, Maryland |
8 | Swallow Falls | Oakland, Maryland |
9 | Round Falls | Baltimore, Maryland |
10 | Gilpin’s Falls | North East, Maryland |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/flownaksala
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