Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center - Schedule of Events

Tue. July 1

8:00 a.m. Let’s Go Birding Discover local breeding birds with one of Garrett County’s most avid birders. You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through DCLSP. Bring binoculars. 1 ½ hr.

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours 1:00 p.m. Browsing for Butterflies Investigate our State Park gardens with the naturalist looking for and identifying butterflies. Learn about native plants these butterflies love and ways to improve their habitat. 1 hr

Wed. July 2

11:00 a.m. Wildflowers and Medicinal Plants Wonder what is growing in your back yard? We will stroll around the Discovery Center looking for blooming plants and discuss their medicinal and edible uses. 1 1/2hrs

1:30 p.m. Historic Brant Mine Hike. Hike along Meadow Mountain to visit this old mine site that operated in the 1920s. Also, check out wildflowers and song birds on the way! This moderate trail is rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. 2 miles Approx. 1 ½ hrs.

Thur. July 3

1:30 Happy Herps! Ever wonder what is hopping and crawling across roads during the night? Want to know how to tell a poisonous snake and the rest? Come see and learn about lots of live specimens! You never know what Amo and Frog will have! 45 min.

7:30 pm Twilight Canoeing w/ the Naturalists Visit Meadow Mt. cove and learn about the night sounds of Garrett County wetlands. $10/adult; $5 for age 12 and under. Must pre-register as space is limited. Meet at the Discovery Center. 1 ½ hr.

Fri. July 4

11:00 a.m. Got Cavities? You don’t need a dentist for these cavities! Hike around the Discovery Center in search of bird and animal cavities, nests, and dens! 30 min.

12-4pm Hourly Encounters. Join a naturalist at the top of each hour to meet one of our center critters up close and personal. Meet on the deck at 12, 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. 8p.m. Owl Prowl. Join our Naturalist at Herrington Manor State Park for an evening Program in search of owls. Enjoy a night sounds program and then go outside to call in barred owls. Meet at the main office at Herrington Manor.

Sat. July 5 11:00 a.m. Black Bears and YOU! Take a hike along the Snakeroot Trail while learning all about bears! Also get to touch a bear skin and skull. Please wear proper footwear for the trail is rocky! Aprox. 1 ½ hrs.

1:30 Meet the Naturalist at the Beach!! Meet the naturalist at the beach area for seine netting, aquatic bug search and more. Get wet only if you want to. 1 ½ hr. 7p.m. Campfire: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! Join Frog and Amo for a Scales n Tales presentation at the Amphitheater. You will see live critters like snakes, a red-tailed hawk, and an owl! Come early and roast marshmallows. In case of rain, the program will be held in the Discovery Room below the Discovery Center. Approx. 45

Sun. July 6

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

11:00 am Reading Naturalist Join Park Staff to read a story about nature and then get to make a craft or explore nature outside or both! The book titles and craft/hike rotates. 30-45 min. $2.00 per child

1:30p.m. Aviary Encounter Join the naturalists and volunteers for this up close and personal look at our birds of prey. The birds will be perched in the open for photographs and unobstructed viewing. Naturalists will be cleaning and caring for the animals as you get an exclusive look behind the scenes. Approx. 1 ½ hr

Mon. July 7

9:00 a.m. Coffee with the Ranger Join park staff for coffee and snacks. Ask questions, learn fun facts, meet our volunteers and pick up our weekly schedule. 1 hour Discovery Center

10:30 am Fishing with the Naturalist Join us at the shores of the Discovery Center for fishing basics like knot tying and casting. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided. $4/person, adults and kids 7 and up. Pre-register as space is limited. 1 ½ hr.

1:30 p.m. Critter Encounter Watch us feed toads, turtles, and fish! Meet in the Discovery Center to watch (and maybe help!) a naturalist feed some of our critters! Then venture to the aviary and watch us care for and feed the red-tailed hawks and owl. 30 min

Tue. July 8

8:00 a.m. Let’s Go Birding Discover local breeding birds with one of Garrett County’s most avid birders. You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through DCLSP. Bring binoculars. 1 ½ hr.

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

1:00 p.m. Browsing for Butterflies Investigate our State Park gardens with the naturalist looking for and identifying butterflies. Learn about native plants these butterflies love and ways to improve their habitat. 1 hr Wed. July 9

11:00 a.m. Wildflowers and Medicinal Plants Wonder what is growing in your back yard? We will stroll around the Discovery Center looking for blooming plants and discuss their medicinal and edible uses. 1 1/2hrs

1:30 p.m. Historic Brant Mine Hike. Hike along Meadow Mountain to visit this old mine site that operated in the 1920s. Also, check out wildflowers and song birds on the way! This moderate trail is rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. 2 miles Approx. 1 ½ hrs.

Thurs. July 10

7:30 p.m. Twilight Canoeing w/ the Naturalists Visit Meadow Mt. cove and learn about the night sounds of Garrett County wetlands. $10/adult; $5 for age 12 and under. Must pre-register as space is limited. Meet at the Discovery Center. 1 ½ hr.

Fri. July 11 11:00 a.m. Got Cavities? You don’t need a dentist for these cavities! Hike around the Discovery Center in search of bird and animal cavities, nests, and dens! 30 min.

Sat. July 12 11:00 – 5:00 ART-IN-THE-PARK A free event featuring beautiful artwork, exceptional crafts, food and beverages. Watch the wood turning and wool felt making demonstrations. Local musicians perform throughout the day. Come by and tie-dye or decorate your own art-in-the-park t-shirt.

Sun. July 13 12:00 – 4:00 ART-IN-THE-PARK A free event featuring beautiful artwork, exceptional crafts, food and beverages. Watch the wood turning and wool felt making demonstrations. Local musicians perform throughout the day. Come by and tie-dye or decorate your own art-in-the-park t-shirt.

Mon. July 14 9:00 a.m. Coffee with the Ranger Join park staff for coffee and snacks. Ask questions, learn fun facts, meet our volunteers and pick up our weekly schedule. 1 hour Discovery Center

10:30 am Fishing with the Naturalist Join us at the shores of the Discovery Center for fishing basics like knot tying and casting. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided. $4/person, adults and kids 7 and up. Pre-register as space is limited. 1 ½ hr.

1:30 p.m. Critter Encounter Watch us feed toads, turtles, and fish! Meet in the Discovery Center to watch (and maybe help!) a naturalist feed some of our critters! Then venture to the aviary and watch us care for and feed the red-tailed hawks and owl. 30 min .

Tues. July 15 8:00 a.m. Let’s Go Birding Discover local breeding birds with one of Garrett County’s most avid birders. You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through DCLSP. Bring binoculars. 1 ½ hr.

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

1:00 p.m. Browsing for Butterflies Investigate our State Park gardens with the naturalist looking for and identifying butterflies. Learn about native plants these butterflies love and ways to improve their habitat. 1 hr.

Wed. July 16

11:00 a.m. Wildflowers and Medicinal Plants Wonder what is growing in your back yard? We will stroll around the Discovery Center looking for blooming plants and discuss their medicinal and edible uses. 1 1/2hrs

1:30 p.m. Historic Brant Mine Hike. Hike along Meadow Mountain to visit this old mine site that operated in the 1920s. Also, check out wildflowers and song birds on the way! This moderate trail is rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. 2 miles Approx. 1 ½ h

Thurs. July 17

1:30 Happy Herps! Ever wonder what is hopping and crawling across roads during the night? Want to know how to tell a poisonous snake and the rest? Come see and learn about lots of live specimens! You never know what Amo and Frog will have! 45 min.

7:30 pm Twilight Canoeing w/ the Naturalists Visit Meadow Mt. cove and learn about the night sounds of Garrett County wetlands. $10/adult; $5 for age 12 and under. Must pre-register as space is limited. Meet at the Discovery Center. 1 ½ hr.

Fri. July 18

11:00 a.m. Got Cavities? You don’t need a dentist for these cavities! Hike around the Discovery Center in search of bird and animal cavities, nests, and dens! 30 min. 1

12-4pm Hourly Encounters. Join a naturalist at the top of each hour to meet one of our center critters up close and personal. Meet on the deck at 12, 1, 2, 3 and 4pm.

8p.m.Owl Prowl. Join our Naturalist at Herrington Manor State Park for an evening Program in search of owls. Enjoy a night sounds program and then go outside to call in barred owls. Meet at the main office at Herrington Manor.

Sat. July 19

9:30 Special Permit Class Deep Creek Lake Management Staff will give a power-point presentation about obtaining a special permit for making improvements on the state-owned buffer strip. Discovery Room 1 hr.

11:00 a.m. Chat w/ Lake Manager Bring your questions and comments and chat with Manager Carolyn Mathews. Meet at the Discovery Center.

11:00 a.m. Black Bears and YOU! Take a hike along the Snakeroot Trail while learning all about bears! Also get to touch a bear skin and skull. Please wear proper footwear for the trail is rocky! Aprox. 1 ½ hrs.

1:30 Meet the Naturalist at the Beach!! Meet the naturalist at the beach area for cast netting, aquatic bug search and more. Get wet only if you want to. 1 ½ hr.

9:00 p.m. Campfire: ASTRONOMY with Gus Johnson. Ever wonder what that shape in the sky may be or what the planets look like through a telescope. Well you are in luck. Join us in the parking lot of the Discovery Center and be treated to a guided tour of the stars. Telescopes provided. 1 ½ hour

Sun. July 20 10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

11:00 p.m Reading Naturalist Join Park Staff to read a story about nature and then get to make a craft or explore nature outside or both! The book titles and craft/hike rotates. 30-45 min. $2.00 per child

1:30p.m. Aviary Encounter Join the naturalists and volunteers for this up close and personal look at our birds of prey. The birds will be perched in the open for photographs and unobstructed viewing. Naturalists will be cleaning and caring for the animals as you get an exclusive look behind the scenes. Approx. 1 ½ hr

Mon. July 21

9:00 a.m. Coffee with the Ranger Join park staff for coffee and snacks. Ask questions, learn fun facts, meet our volunteers and pick up our weekly schedule. 1 hour Discovery Center

10:30 am Fishing with the Naturalist Join us at the shores of the Discovery Center for fishing basics like knot tying and casting. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided. $4/person, adults and kids 7 and up. Pre-register as space is limited. 1 ½ hr. .

1:30 p.m. Critter Encounter Watch us feed toads, turtles, and fish! Meet in the Discovery Center to watch (and maybe help!) a naturalist feed some of our critters! Then venture to the aviary and watch us care for and feed the red-tailed hawks and owl. 30 min.

Tues. July 22

8:00 a.m. Let’s Go Birding Discover local breeding birds with one of Garrett County’s most avid birders. You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through DCLSP. Bring binoculars. 1 ½ hr.

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

1:00 p.m. Browsing for Butterflies Investigate our State Park gardens with the naturalist looking for and identifying butterflies. Learn about native plants these butterflies love and ways to improve their habitat. 1 hr.

Wed. July 23

11:00 a.m. Wildflowers and Medicinal Plants Wonder what is growing in your back yard? We will stroll around the Discovery Center looking for blooming plants and discuss their medicinal and edible uses. 1 1/2hrs

1:30 pm Historic Brant Mine Hike. Hike along Meadow Mountain to visit this old mine site that operated in the 1920s. Also, check out wildflowers and song birds on the way! This moderate trail is rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. 2 miles Approx. 1 ½ hrs.

Thurs. July 24 1:30 Happy Herps! Ever wonder what is hopping and crawling across roads during the night? Want to know how to tell a poisonous snake and the rest? Come see and learn about lots of live specimens! You never know what Amo and Frog will have! 45 min.

7:30 pm Twilight Canoeing w/ the Naturalists Visit Meadow Mt. cove and learn about the night sounds of Garrett County wetlands. . $10/adult; $5 for age 12 and under. Must pre-register as space is limited. Meet at the Discovery Center. 1 ½ hr.

Fri. July 25 11:00 a.m. Got Cavities? You don’t need a dentist for these cavities! Hike around the Discovery Center in search of bird and animal cavities, nests, and dens! 30 min.

12-4pm Hourly Encounters. Join a naturalist at the top of each hour to meet one of our center critters up close and personal. Meet on the deck at 12, 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. 8p.m.Owl Prowl. Join our Naturalist at Herrington Manor State Park for an evening Program in search of owls. Enjoy a night sounds program and then go outside to call in barred owls. Meet at the main office at Herrington Manor.

Sat. July 26 11:00 a.m. Black Bears and YOU! Take a hike along the Snakeroot Trail while learning all about bears! Also get to touch a bear skin and skull. Please wear proper footwear for the trail is rocky! Aprox. 1 ½ hrs.

1:30 Meet the Naturalist at the Beach!! Meet the naturalist at the beach area for seine netting, aquatic bug search and more. Get wet only if you want to. 1 ½ hr.

7p.m. Campfire: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! Join Frog and Amo for a Scales n Tales presentation at the Amphitheater. You will see live critters like snakes, a red-tailed hawk, and an owl! Come early and roast marshmallows. In case of rain, the program will be held in the Discovery Room below the Discovery Center. Approx. 45

Sun. July 27

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

11:00 a.m. Reading Naturalist Join Park Staff to read a story about nature and then get to make a craft or explore nature outside or both! The book titles and craft/hike rotates. 30-45 min. $2.00 per child

1:30p.m. Aviary Encounter Join the naturalists and volunteers for this up close and personal look at our birds of prey. The birds will be perched in the open for photographs and unobstructed viewing. Naturalists will be cleaning and caring for the animals as you get an exclusive look behind the scenes. Approx. 1 ½ hr

Mon. July 28

9:00 a.m. Coffee with the Ranger Join park staff for coffee and snacks. Ask questions, learn fun facts, meet our volunteers and pick up our weekly schedule. 1 hour Discovery Center

10:30 am Fishing with the Naturalist Join us at the shores of the Discovery Center for fishing basics like knot tying and casting. Poles, bait, and tackle are provided. $4/person, adults and kids 7 and up. Pre-register as space is limited. 1 ½ hr.

1:30 p.m. Critter Encounter Watch us feed toads, turtles, and fish! Meet in the Discovery Center to watch (and maybe help!) a naturalist feed some of our critters! Then venture to the aviary and watch us care for and feed the red-tailed hawks and owl. 30 min Tues. July 29

8:00 a.m. Let’s Go Birding Discover local breeding birds with one of Garrett County’s most avid birders. You’ll learn how to bird by ear and listen for distinctive songs as we stroll through DCLSP. Bring binoculars. 1 ½ hr.

10:00am -12:00pm Fire Tower Tours: Join park staff and volunteers as they guide you through our newly renovated fire tower. Learn of Maryland’s fire history and gain great views of Deep Creek Lake. $2.00 per person. Meet at the fire tower. Open for 2 hours

1:00 p.m. Browsing for Butterflies Investigate our State Park gardens with the naturalist looking for and identifying butterflies. Learn about native plants these butterflies love and ways to improve their habitat. 1 hr.

Wed. July 30

11:00 a.m. Wildflowers and Medicinal Plants Wonder what is growing in your back yard? We will stroll around the Discovery Center looking for blooming plants and discuss their medicinal and edible uses. 1 1/2hrs 1:30 p.m.

1:30 pm Historic Brant Mine Hike. Hike along Meadow Mountain to visit this old mine site that operated in the 1920s. Also, check out wildflowers and song birds on the way! This moderate trail is rocky, so wear appropriate footwear. 2 miles Approx. 1 ½ hrs.

Thurs. July 31

1:30 Happy Herps! Ever wonder what is hopping and crawling across roads during the night? Want to know how to tell a poisonous snake and the rest? Come see and learn about lots of live specimens! You never know what Amo and Frog will have! 45 min.

7:30 pm Twilight Canoeing w/ the Naturalists Visit Meadow Mt. cove and learn about the night sounds of Garrett County wetlands. $10/adult; $5 for age 12 and under. Must pre-register as space is limited. Meet at the Discovery Center. 1 ½ hr.

Open Monday through Sunday : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Programs and Center hours are subject to change without notice. All programs meet or begin at the Discovery Center unless otherwise noted. For more information, call us at 301-387-7067.