Only a quarter of a tank of gas away, Deep Creek Lake is the perfect place for summer family fun: a glistening lake nestled in Maryland’s mountains, with all types of water sports.

Rent a boat and discover the 65 miles of shoreline at Deep Creek Lake. Dock at one of the restaurants located around the lake, have a dessert of homemade ice cream, visit the Discovery Center, go shopping, let the children play at the arcade and then relax at the state park beach and playground. The trip between these activities is even more fun when you travel by boat.

Photos by: Tim Tadder.com

Buster and Skippy also can go for a boat ride. Just make sure these four-footed family members have on a life jacket! Enjoy dog-friendly, outdoor dining by boat as well as hiking, “yappy hours” and other pet-friendly activities during your stay. Many accommodations welcome pets, including rental homes, B&Bs, hotels and motels.

Many new activities are being planned for the summer as Deep Creek Lake celebrates its 80th anniversary. Local businesses and organizations will provide special events up to the Lake’s 80th Birthday Party September 4 at the Discovery Center.

In the meantime, visitors to the area’s largest freshwater lake can enjoy mountains of possibilities; explore the forest trails by foot, on bike or on horseback; fish for some of the area’s record bass, trout or pike; or relax with a horse drawn carriage ride or go horseback riding. Fishing contests, nature camps, birding workshops, and quilt auctions are just a few of the activities also available during the day.

Photos by: Tim Tadder.com

Don’t forget to enjoy the river walk in Kitzmiller or fish in Friendsville’s Community Park. Whether golfing or kayaking, swimming or waterskiing, summer is always memorable at Deep Creek Lake.

Julie S. Turrentine of Snowbird Creations Glass Studio

Besides the obvious outdoor appeal of its mountains, lakes, rivers and streams, the area is also noted for its arts and cultural activities.

Take one of many tours, August 5 through 8, featuring all the disciplines of art glass: stained, blown and fused. Tours showcase stained glass designs by Lou DiCarlo of the Stained Glass Gallery, world famous hand blown glass by Simon Pearce and fused glass by Julie Turrentine of Snowbird Creations Glass Studio.

The mountains ring with music! From clogging to dulcimers and bagpipes, to fiddle and banjo contests, to classical recital and chamber music ensembles; all at Penn Alps on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.

Special Events in the Deep Creek Lake area

June 3 – 5 McHenry Highland Festival, Garrett County Fairgrounds June 10 & 11 Logger Forest & Field Days Garrett County Fairgrounds July 1 & 2 Championship Rodeo Garrett County Fairgrounds July 4 “Fire on the Mountain” fireworks display, 9:30 p.m. Wisp ski slopes July 8 & 9 Spruce Forest Artisan Village Summer Festival July 16 & 17 Art in the Park beside the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center August 5 – 7 Art Glass Tour, blown, fused & stained glass demonstrations Deep Creek Antique Show Garrett County Fairgrounds August 13 – 20 Garrett County Agriculture Fair Garrett County Fairgrounds August 20, 21, 26, 27 Music on the Mountain Wisp, Deep Creek Mountain Resort This is only a brief list of activities occurring this summer in the Deep Creek Lake area. There are many more, such as the Tri-State Sale, concerts, fiddle & banjo contests, town homecomings and a tennis championship. For more details check out www.deepcreeklifestyles.com

Garrett Lakes Arts Festival presents a variety of programs throughout the summer. Music on the Mountain begins August 20 with Stravinsky & Copland, and continues August 21 with an Outdoor POPS Concert, August 26 with Mozart, Bernstein & Beethoven and Aug. 27 with Tchaikovsky, Borodin and Prokofiev. More information about these concerts is available on www.artsandentertainment.org.

Photos by: Tim Tadder.com

For those who want to stay outside, the Little Yough Music Festival offers a variety of performers on Friday nights beside the Little Yough River in Oakland.

Step back in time with Chautauqua events at Garrett College July 5 to 8, then explore the works of local artisans at Art in the Park July 16 and 17 beside the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center.

Move back indoors for the a wide variety of local artistic expression at the Gallery in Oakland. Check out www.garrettarts.com. Displays of many local artists and artisans can also be found at The Shoppe at Heritage Square.

Visit the 1884 B&O Train Station in Oakland, the Drane House in Accident, Casselman Bridge in Grantsville or watch artisans at work in preserved cabins at Spruce Forest Artisan Village. Browse through the many specialty and antique shops scattered around the area, then enjoy community theatre performances at Our Town Theatre in Oakland.

For the first time, an Art and Wine Festival will be held near the lake during the weekend of September 9 through 11.

Whether you sleep in the park in a tent or a cabin, or at a unique B&B or a luxurious rental home, you will have plenty of fun at Deep Creek Lake.

More information is available by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 1-301-387-4386 or checking www.deepcreeklifestyles.com