2 Best Sights in Deep Creek Lake, Frederick and Western Maryland

The 1,818-acre Deep Creek Lake State Park hugs the eastern shore of the lake and has a public boat launch, small beach with lifeguards (in summer), and picnic and camping sites. The lake's indigo waters are breathtaking—literally. Even in summer the water can be chilly. At the park's Discovery Center are hands-on educational activities for children, a freshwater aquarium, native animals on display, and a small gift shop. The center is also a staging area for organized outdoor activities, including boat tours.

The two biggest attractions in the area are Deep Creek Lake and Marsh Mountain, and the Wisp Resort takes advantage of both. Called "the Wisp" by locals, the mountain has a humble history: its eastern face was once a cow pasture. Today it's one of the area's most popular destinations. Not only does the resort boast Maryland's only alpine ski slopes, it's also a veritable amusement park with water and snow tubing, mountain biking, a mountain coaster, skate park, paintball course, climbing wall, paddleboarding, canopy tours, and waterskiing, to name a few activities. Instructors teach skiing and snowboarding to all ages and ability levels, and afterwards you can stop into one of several restaurants and bars to warm up and relax after a day on the slopes.