Hotel at a Glance: LakeStar Lodge

Rolling mountains and Deep Creek Lake create a serene backdrop for every guest room at LakeStar Lodge. Take in the beautiful views of western Maryland from your covered balcony. Inside, each spacious room offers comfortable surroundings—you can take a nap beneath the bed’s fluffy comforter, or store and heat leftovers in the mini-fridge and microwave.

• Locally made furniture: Each room is outfitted with furniture crafted by a local artisan using reclaimed barn wood; the floors are hardwood bamboo.
• Coffee, tea, and snacks are available all day in the lodge’s lobby kitchen.
• Wisp Resort is about 1 mile away. Ski, snowboard, and snow tube in the winter, or ride the mountain coaster and play on the aerial adventure courses during the rest of the year.
• Notable award: TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2013 – 2018

McHenry, Maryland: Hiking and Climbing near Deep Creek Lake

It’s only a couple hours from Pittsburgh, but rural McHenry, Maryland, feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s an outdoors lover’s dream, with the 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake and easygoing hiking trails. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the area can be found at nearby Swallow Falls State Park, where hiking trails wind through hemlock-shaded gorges along the Youghiogheny River. The main attraction is Muddy Creek Falls, a stunning 53-foot waterfall.

The layouts of four local golf courses capitalize on the naturally hilly landscape, incorporating wooded terrain and lakes into their designs. Those interested in rock climbing and rappelling should make their way to Fork Run Recreation Area, where a number of boulders are strewn across 550 acres.