Waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and forests—there are selfie spots galore in western Maryland.

Grab that selfie stick (or a long-armed friend!), and head out to western Maryland. Mountain peaks, freshwater lakes, and historic charm are coming at ya from all directions. And they’re all easy to get to from Hagerstown. Whether you choose nature, history, or architecture for your next Insta post is entirely up to you.

Swallow Falls State Park

2470 Maple Glade Road | Oakland, Maryland 21550

Let’s get to chasing waterfalls. Maryland’s tallest waterfall, at 53 feet, is found at Swallow Falls State Park. Contrary to the name of the park, that waterfall is Muddy Creek Falls. The namesake falls is much smaller and located further downstream. Regardless, it’s an excellent spot for smiling selfies.  

The park is on the Youghiogheny River and has campsites, picnic facilities, and hiking trails. Towering hemlock trees, giant boulders, and lush ferns (along with the sound of rushing water) lead the way. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone camped in the area back in the early 1900s. I wonder if they stopped to take a selfie?

Mountain Maryland Byway

Combine your selfie safari with a scenic drive along the Mountain Maryland Byway. It winds 193 miles through the Allegheny Mountains from Keyser’s Ridge (at 2,894 feet in elevation) to Cumberland. Along the way, you’ll pass scenery and attractions such as the Wisp Ski Resort, Deep Creek Lake, the C&O Canal Towpath, Jennings Randolph Lake, and Savage River State Forest. If you take the road to Friendsville, you can add in a winery tour at Deep Creek Cellars or a whitewater rafting trip on the Upper Youghiogheny River.

Deep Creek Lake, courtesy of Railey Vacations

Deep Creek Lake State Park

With 65 miles of shoreline, Deep Creek Lake offers activities for all seasons, such as fishing, ice fishing, boating, swimming, jet-skiing, and water-skiing. There are scenic overlooks and pull-offs to grab those mountain lake shots. Watch where you're walking, as those drop-offs are pretty steep, but the views are amazing. 

Oakland B&O Railroad Museum

Incorporated in 1862, Oakland is almost closer to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, than Hagerstown and it’s definitely closer to the 'Burgh than Baltimore. The charming mountain town is home to the historic Queen Anne-style B&O Railroad Station. Built in 1884 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Snap a selfie (or a groupie) in front of all that beautiful Victorian architecture. Next, take a peek through the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum to check out the history of the railroad and the town itself.  

Courtesy of Inspirock

Oakland also has some gorgeous churches, including the neoclassical St. Peter the Apostle and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Because of its historic visitors (Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, and James Garfield), St. Matthew’s is known as the “church of presidents.”

What’s your favorite selfie spot in Maryland? Let us know in the comments.