Deep Creek Lake officially opened in September 1923 when the power came on at the hydroelectric plant. The effect of the power plant, though, wasn’t felt locally. It was power used for homes and communities in Pennsylvania. In Garrett County, Deep Creek Lake was the star, attracting new tourists to the county.
“Fifteen miles in length, a shoreline of sixty-five miles, making it one of the largest artificial bodies of water in the country, nestled among the mountains, Deep Creek Lake is making a strong bid for the most popular resort of this section,” The (Oakland) Republican reported in 1931.
Garrett County was already a popular location for campers, hunters and fishermen.
The lake brought in boaters and swimmers. The Republican reported that “Deep Creek Lake is fast becoming a favorite vacation and week-end resort, if the past Sunday can be taken as any criterion. Each week-end throughout the summer several thousand people have been coming to Deep Creek Lake to spend the time, either at their cottages, or at one of the beaches along the shore, or in remote camping sites, and it was estimated that the largest crowd of present season had assembled on last Sunday.”
Every year after its completion, tourism at the lake grew as a convenient vacation spot for people throughout the region, in particular, Allegany County and southwest Pennsylvania.
The number of canoes and rowboats on the water grew steadily. In particular, the stocking of the lake with various species of fish made it a popular fishing hole for fishermen and their rowboats.
In 1931, The Republican reported, “There are now approximately thirty motor boats on the lake ranging from the small out-board craft to the larger inboard runabouts costing as much as five thousand dollars (about $102,000 in 2025 dollars). About twenty-five canoes and row boats are also on the lake.”
Cabins and houses were built along the shoreline.
Boy Scout camps and campgrounds were created.
The lake’s appeal to visitors has only continued to grow, with people returning year after year to enjoy a beautiful day on the lake or decompress from life’s stresses with a longer stay.
Children have grown up vacationing on the lake and now bring their own families to Deep Creek Lake to create new memories.
A 2020 study found that around 1.4 million people a year visit Garrett County, attracted to the area by Deep Creek Lake.
As for the number of watercraft on the lake, it has grown so large that there aren’t any official numbers.
The boats are larger and faster. Some are shaped like a swan, a dragon or famous boats from movies.
Sailboats have become a common sight on the lake.
A historical marker at the lake reads, “On any given day, the lake hosts a mix of canoes, kayaks, and sailboats, alongside a wide variety of powered craft. These include runabouts, ski boats, wake boats, bass boats, jet skis, and pontoon boats, all captained by those enjoying the beauty and excitement of Deep Creek Lake.”
That same survey found that those same visitors spent around $315 million a year in the county and have a total economic impact of $360 million. The latter figure includes indirect effects such as job creation.
However, the lake still remains a hidden gem because it is a regional attraction, unlike the Great Lakes or ocean resorts that attract visitors from much greater distances.
Deep Creek Lake’s visitors come from surrounding counties and states.
Many tourists call places such as Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., home.
Contact Jim Rada at jimrada@yahoo.com or 410-698-3571.