Located in western Maryland, Swallow Falls State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The park is known for its stunning natural beauty, including towering hemlock trees, picturesque waterfalls, and rocky outcroppings. While many visitors to the park are familiar with the more famous Muddy Creek Falls and Swallow Falls, there is another waterfall in the park that is often overlooked: a small pour known as Tolliver Falls.
Tolliver Falls is a hidden gem in Swallow Falls State Park. Tucked away in a secluded corner of the park, the waterfall can be accessed via a short hiking trail that leads through a dense forest of hemlock trees and along igneous rocks known as diabase stacked up.
The waterfall itself is a sight to behold. At around 15 feet tall, it’s not as impressive as some of the other waterfalls in the park, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in beauty. The waterfall cascades down a series of rocky ledges into a shallow pool, creating a tranquil and picturesque setting that is perfect for nature lovers and photographers.
One of the best things about Tolliver Falls is that it is relatively unknown, compared to the other waterfalls in this park. Which means, often visitors will often have the waterfall all to themselves.
A hike in any of the four seasons will be great. In the winter, the shallow pool will freeze and Tolliver typically slows to a trickle. And, a little-known local’s secret is this is a great wading and swimming hole in those sticky summer months. Don’t forget the shoulder seasons where the light streams though the trees casting beautiful shadows and highlights to create a magical woodland.
Overall, despite its popularity among outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, the falls still retain a sense of serenity and peacefulness that makes it feel like a hidden gem. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, a short hike to Tolliver Falls is a great way to create new memories and capture the beauty of the natural world on your phone or camera.
