Camping at Swallow Falls State Park

Every year, Robby and I, my best friend, and her boyfriend go camping. We've carried on this tradition for FIVE YEARS now, which is so crazy to think about. How have we been doing this for five years?? But it's been so fun, and something we look forward to planning and doing every year. We've tried a few campgrounds, and after camping at Swallow Falls, I have to say this one was probably my favorite.

Our camping excursions have looked like this over the years:

2014: Elk Neck State Park; We loved it! We did the walk to Turkey Point Lighthouse, had beautiful fall weather, and a mostly empty campground. Since it was our first year camping though, we did quite a few runs back and forth to Walmart, which was a good 30-45 min away. However, we really liked it, and we're thinking about potentially going back next year.

2015: Cowan's Gap State Park; We loved our campsite, but it was SO COLD, and snowed on and off the entire weekend. We had checked the weather beforehand, and it had not prepared us for it, so we were kind of miserable the whole time. Plus, we tried to make pizza in aluminum foil over the fire, and it was charred. Haha. Being right in the mountains just means unpredictable weather, which we know now.

2016: Cowan's Gap State Park; We decided to give it another try since we loved the lake and the campground so much, but this time? It rained. The entire weekend. And Robby and I had borrowed my mom's tent to upgrade from our tiny two-person tent thinking it would be more weatherproof. My mom's tent was from the early 90's, and it leaked . . . so everything was soaked - we were soaked, and also pretty cold. We decided that, although we loved the area, we would have to pass on camping there again, at least in October, as our luck just wasn't on our side.

2017: Susquehanna State Park; The weekend in October that we went was not only hot, but also really crowded. We were also surprised by how small the camping pads were. We crammed our two tents, our two cars, a dog, and a picnic table canvas onto it, but it was tight. But it led us to getting two campsites this year, which ended up working out pretty well. There are also a lot of hiking trails that I had wanted to explore at Susquehanna, but we didn't get around to it. Overall, it wasn't a bad camping experience, but it also wasn't our favorite.

2018: Swallow Falls State Park; Definitely my favorite place. We had talked about going here for a while because my husband had camped it a couple of times in high school and really enjoyed it. But I'm not exaggerating when I say I felt like I was in a completely different place: it didn't feel like Maryland at all. The hiking loop that takes you to Swallow Falls and Muddy Falls is incredible: HUGE rock formations, lush moss-covered trees, ferns, and stunningly green forests. I had said while we were hiking that had I done this when I was a kid, my imagination would have been running rampant. The trail, and therefore the experience, was just so much more than I expected. The campground was average, but the trail. Oh man, you have to do the hiking trail. I am so looking forward to camping here more in the future!

Robby and I had decided to take two cars this year since we got two separate campsites, and because taking one car last year with Chip as a puppy was tight. Not to mention, he's practically full-grown, and can take up an entire backseat. It worked out perfectly, and I ended up leaving a little bit before Robby. On the Friday that we go camping, I take off from work to get everything out of the attic and the garage, and pack up as much as I can so when Robby gets off work, he can come home and we can go. Needless to say, he took extra long to pack everything, and the campsite was practically two hours away - I hate setting up a campsite in the dark, which is why I take off work and try to do as much as I can to get ready before we leave. But what ended up happening? That's right. We set our campsite up in the dark. It happens. I can't be mad, but I was a little peeved at the time. Also, how many married couples always bicker when doing a group activity like setting up a tent?? Robby and I get along pretty well most of the time, but ask us to set up a tent, and all-of-a-sudden, we get snippy with each other. I can laugh about it now, but man. I was so aggravated at the time. Lol.

I'm also a person who is pretty proud of her navigation ability - I have a good sense of direction and can read a map like a boss. But for some reason, on those backroads, I got so turned around getting there and going home. I missed turns multiple times (I blame sunlight in my eyes, haha), or just totally didn't listen to instructions. But when I finally got to our campsite, I was happy with pretty much everything. We learned our lesson from last year and brought a stake for Chip, our rambunctious Chocolate Lab, who broke out of his collar and bent his leash last year. The only tweak with that is we'll have to use an actual chain-link to attach to his collar next year: he wanted to chew through the rope (and can SO fast) that held him. Once he got used to being tied up, he did fine, but he did need some time to adjust.

Saturday was the best. What I love about camping is turning off my phone, not looking at a watch, and just living life at a sloooow pace. We took our time getting up, starting a fire, cooking breakfast. And then we got ready to go on a hike around the trail loop in the park. Because it was the first sunny, perfect day in weeks, there were a lot of people and a lot of dogs - which was hard for Robby, who wanted to handle Chip on the trail, because Chip loves everyone and is still very hyper around strangers and their dogs. But oh my gosh - that trail was beautiful. Like I said before, I felt like I was somewhere other than Maryland. It felt like a rainforest: so green, so mossy. The sunlight was stunning. There were rock formations and walls along the trail that I didn't even know we could have in Maryland. The river was swelled from the rain, moving fast and loud, and the waterfalls were therefore beautiful. We made a right when starting the loop, and I highly suggest doing it that way so you come up at the foot of Muddy Falls in all its glory. It was incredible. You could feel the spray of the falls on your face, and although it was a cooler day, it felt so wonderful after hiking. I immediately crawled over wet rocks so I could get the "money shot" at the bottom of the falls, and I felt so alive. The waterfall was roaring - you couldn't hear anyone over its crashing - and the rush I felt standing amid all that rushing water was just . . . something I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt empowered and untouchable, strong and capable, grateful and blessed, in awe of the amazing God I serve.

By the time we got back to the campground, I was ready to spend the evening by the fire, and I slept better that night than I can remember ever sleeping while camping.

Honestly, if you haven't gone camping in your life ever, two things: go in the fall when the weather starts to cool - preferably 60s during the day and 50s at night; and take good friends. Oh, and plan a bomb menu. Also, don't worry about feeling like you're taking a lot. You are, and it's fine. You're literally living in the woods for two days. It's fine to overpack in case something happens.

We had another slow morning on Sunday, packed up at our own pace, and left around 11 AM before the noon checkout. We got home in time for Sunday football, and took the rest of the afternoon so easy. The days go by too quickly when camping, and I always wish we could stay another day.

One of the things I love best about camping is planning the menu with Britney - we both love to cook and love trying new things, but it's always comforting to have some of the same foods while camping, which usually includes breakfast burritos, hot dogs, and s'mores. We find new recipes on Pinterest, but another good resource I've found has been Fresh Off the Grid - the woman who runs the website was on a She Explores podcast episode, and every since, it's been like the camping menu resource I've been missing in my life.

Needless to say, I so enjoyed this trip. The weather was better than anything we could have asked for, the company was perfect (love you Britney & Ben), the food was delicious, and the hiking trail was beautiful. If you're in or around western Maryland, you have to check out Swallow Falls State Park and hike their trail loop. You won't regret it!! And I'm sure it's stunning right now with the leaves changing.