Herrington Manor State Park: Beach, Hiking, and Kayaking Near Deep Creek Lake
Discover Herrington Manor State Park near Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Enjoy swimming at the sandy beach, rent kayaks and canoes, hike around the peaceful lake, and combine your visit with nearby Swallow Falls State Park.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Deep Creek Lake is surrounded by fantastic outdoor areas to explore, but sometimes crowds at those parks can be busy.
If you’re visiting Deep Creek Lake and want somewhere quieter to spend time outdoors, check out Herrington Manor State Park.
Lesser known than Deep Creek Lake State Park or Swallow Falls just minutes away, Herrington Manor has its own tranquil mountain lake with sandy swimming beach, kayak rentals, hiking trails and lots of space to relax.
It’s peaceful. Small. And feels worlds away from busy lakes found in other parts of Maryland.
Lake lovers, hikers, and anyone with kids who want to spend some time outdoors will appreciate Herrington Manor.
Related: These are all the lakes in Maryland where you can swim
Quick Facts
Address: 222 Herrington Lane Oakland, MD 21550 Hours: Open daily, 8:00 AM – sunset
Admission Fees
- Maryland residents: $3 per person (Weekdays) | $5 per person (Weekends & holidays)
- Non-Maryland residents: $5 per person (Weekdays) | $7 per person (Weekends & holidays)
- Kids 6 and under: Free
(Note: Seasonal prices may apply. Check the Maryland DNR website for updates prior to your visit.)
Related: These are my picks for the best state parks in Maryland
Why You’ll Love Herrington Manor State Park
Situated high in the mountains near Deep Creek Lake, this park features a mountain lake that was originally developed during the 1930s.
Now, it’s one of the best peaceful spots at lakes in all of Western Maryland.
There aren’t many motorboats here. Few crowded beaches. Instead, this area has a tranquil atmosphere that invites you to relax.
It’s great for families who want to spend some time by the water, take a stroll around the lake or kick back and relax with picturesque views.
One of my favorite things to do at Herrington Manor is pair it with nearby Swallow Falls State Park (more on that below).
Perfect For Lake Lovers
Central to Herrington Manor is a picturesque 53-acre lake called Herrington Lake.
Areas along the shoreline are wide open with sandy spots to lounge around or even swim in the lake.
There is a designated swimming area at Herrington Manor. Lifeguards are present during summer months, and restrooms/showers are located nearby.
Kids will love spending time at this mountain lake.
It’s calm since boats with motors aren’t allowed, which means you’ll rarely see large crowds roaming around the area.
Related: Another sleeper hit in Western Maryland is New Germany State Park
Swimming Beach at Herrington Manor State Park
One of the highlights of Herrington Manor State Park is a large sandy swimming area at Herrington Lake.
This section of the beachfront has soft sand that meets up with calm waters of the lake. There’s also a roped off section for swimming.
Because motorboats aren’t permitted on the lake, it’s much easier to find calm weather compared to other nearby lakes.
Our kids always have a great time spending time at the beachfront here.
The swimming area features:
- Soft sandy shoreline
- Shallow area where the water meets the sand
- Lifeguards (during summer months)
- Restrooms/showers nearby
We love relaxing here for an afternoon. It’s easy to spend a few hours swimming in the lake and enjoying picturesque views of tall pine trees.
Rent Kayaks or Canoes at Herrington Manor Lake
Want to spend some time out on Herrington Lake?
Rentals for kayaks and canoes are available during summer months. It’s a short walk from the parking area to the dock where you can rent watercraft.
Kayaking around Herrington Lake is peaceful and relaxing. You won’t find motorboats here which keeps the water serene and calm.
Expect to paddle the entire lake in under an hour. But don’t rush the experience.
Enjoy scenic mountain views of forest-covered hills as you drift around the lakefront.
Take a Walk Around Herrington Lake
If you’re visiting Herrington Manor State Park with kids, consider walking, hiking or biking the trail around Herrington Lake.
Known as the Lake Trail, this 1.75-mile path is perfect for families looking for an easy hike.
You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the lake, quiet wooded areas, picturesque spots along the shoreline, small bridges, and more.
Walking paths are well-maintained but there are a few rolling hills throughout the trail.
Related: Great trails for kids around the Deep Creek area
Walking Lake Trail at Herrington Manor State Park
There are several hiking trails that connect to a more extensive trail system.
Popular hikes include:
Lake Trail – 1.75 mile moderate trail that loops around Herrington Lake
Snaggy Mountain Trail – Access to longer hiking trails that weave through the surrounding forest
Herrington Manor Trail – Connects to trails used for hiking, mountain biking and winter activities like cross-country skiing
Several of the hiking trails pass through peaceful forests full of pine trees and hardwood trees.
Expect to see patches of wildflowers along the trails during spring/early summer.
Visit the Historic CCC Cabin
When visiting Herrington Manor State Park, be sure to check out the old log cabin that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
The CCC was responsible for building parks all over the country during the Great Depression.
Visitors can still see the original CCC cabin in Herrington Manor State Park.
It’s a cool piece of history that helped shape parks like Herrington Manor.
Visit Nearby Swallow Falls State Park
Nearby Swallow Falls State Park is one of my favorite places to visit in Western Maryland.
It’s known for its incredible waterfall, which is the tallest waterfall in Maryland.
If you have time, I recommend doing both Herrington Manor State Park and Swallow Falls State Park.
Here’s how we like to do it:
Morning: Check out Swallow Falls and take your time exploring all the waterfalls.
Afternoon: Drive over to Herrington Manor to spend some time swimming at the lake, kayak rentals or relaxing on a blanket with views of the water.
When you split your time between the two state parks, you’ll enjoy two totally different experiences.
Swallow Falls State Park is much busier. But so beautiful.
Herrington Manor offers a peaceful break from some of the crowded state parks we frequent.
The Best Time to Visit Herrington Manor State Park
Summer: Great for swimming, kayaking and canoe rentals.
Fall: Lake views during fall foliage are stunning here. Mountains and forests are filled with vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow.
Spring: Wildflowers begin popping up along the trails.
Winter: Known for cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Herrington Manor State Park Tips
Here are some quick tips before you visit Herrington Manor State Park:
- Summer weekends can get busy at the lake/beach area. Arrive early to find parking and a spot on the beach.
- Pack a picnic. There are picnic tables located throughout the park along Herrington Lake.
- Pair your visit with another Maryland State Park nearby like Swallow Falls State Park.
- Wear comfortable shoes when walking around Lake Trail.
- Visit Herrington Manor State Park Near Deep Creek Lake
Does Herrington Manor State Park live up to the hype?
Yes and no.
It isn’t overrun by thousands of people like neighboring Deep Creek Lake.
And while it doesn’t have the tall cliffs or majestic waterfalls as Swallow Falls State Park just minutes away, Herrington Manor State Park does have a quiet mountain lake that’s perfect for families.
If you have kids and are exploring Deep Creek Lake, spend a day at Herrington Manor State Park and you won’t be disappointed.
