We All Need Nature

A beautiful, Great Blue Heron soaring low to the water on a pristine mountain lake in Garrett County Maryland. We all need nature in our lives.

Why we need nature:

In our rapidly fast-paced world, it’s all too common to feel overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Endless work hours, ever-growing responsibilities, and constant connectivity can leave us stressed, exhausted, and yearning for a breath of fresh air. If you’ve ever found yourself longing for a moment of peace, fun, and reconnection with nature, All Earth Eco Tours, LLC in Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, MD, provides the perfect solution for your needs.

A beautiful, Great Blue Heron soaring low to the water on a pristine mountain lake in Garrett County Maryland.
                                                                 So cool! So close! Experience the beauty.

The Importance of Self-Care

Amid the hustle and bustle of modern living, prioritizing self-care often falls to the wayside. Self-care is critical for maintaining mental and physical well-being, enabling us to recharge, relax, and refocus our energies. By stepping away from our busy schedules, we open ourselves to the healing powers of nature and grant ourselves the opportunity to truly breathe and find peace.

A Yoga to You session at Deep Creek Lake. Women stretching, reverse triangle. Yoga in Nature, so good for the soul.
  Be kind to yourself. Stretch a little.

Going Outside and Finding Peace

There’s something undeniably calming about immersing oneself in nature. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels, decrease anxiety, and improve overall mood. The natural world offers a tranquil escape where our minds can quiet, our bodies can relax, and our spirits can rejuvenate.

At All Earth Eco Tours, LLC, we understand the transformative power of nature therapy. Our guided tours are designed to provide you with the space and time you need to unwind, relax, and soak in the breathtaking beauty of Deep Creek Lake. Whether you’re seeking solitude, want to bond with loved ones, or are eager to learn something new, our tours offer a curated experience that caters to all your nature therapy needs.

A family enjoying the benefits of being out in nature, playing in the cool, clear waters of the Wild and Scenic Youghiougheny River in Friendsville, MD. We all need nature.
Go outside and play.

Unique Offerings That Set Us Apart

All Earth Eco Tours, LLC isn’t just any outdoor recreation service provider. We excel in creating tailored experiences that allow our guests to fully immerse themselves in nature without any of the usual worries. Our tours are intentionally designed to cater to busy individuals who crave a moment of tranquility and adventure.

Enjoy:

– The opportunity to relax and enjoy nature without any hassle
– A safe environment where you feel well taken care of
– Guided tours that eliminate the need for planning or preparation, enabling you to fully embrace the experience
– Activities designed to foster fun, relaxation, and bonding with friends and family

Our commitment to providing exceptional service ensures that you can enjoy a worry-free escape, allowing you to truly bask in the beauty and serenity that nature has to offer.

How Nature Can Calm Us

The benefits of spending time in nature are profound. Here are a few ways in which nature therapy can have a calming effect on us:

– **Reduced Stress and Anxiety**: The sights, sounds, and smells of nature can activate our parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones.

– **Improved Mood**: Natural settings have been found to boost mood and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. Time spent outdoors under the sun can also increase vitamin D levels, which are linked to mood regulation.

– **Enhanced Creativity and Concentration**: Nature therapy can help clear mental clutter, allowing for improved focus and creativity. Studies suggest that natural environments can refresh our mental states and enhance cognitive functions.

– **Physical Health Benefits**: Engaging in outdoor activities promotes physical well-being, from enhancing cardiovascular health to building strength and stamina.

– **Social Connection**: Shared outdoor experiences foster social connections and deepen relationships, creating lasting memories with loved ones.

Here’s an article that I found interesting and supports what we know to be true, nature nurtures. What is Nature and Ecotherapy & How Does It Work? (positivepsychology.com)

A woman sits by the river, soaking up the beauty while she soaks her feet.
           Go ahead, get your feet wet.

Nature Therapy Experiences with All Earth Eco Tours, LLC

Our tours offer a range of experiences to meet diverse preferences, ensuring that each guest leaves with their own personal sense of fulfillment and relaxation. Whether you’re an outdoor adventure enthusiast or someone more inclined to revel in the quietude of nature, we have something for you:

– **Guided Hiking Tours**: Explore the scenic trails around Deep Creek Lake with experienced guides who share their knowledge of the local flora and fauna, enhancing your connection to the natural world. Discover Edible Plants & Wild Mushrooms with All Earth Eco Tours (allearthtours.com)

**Guided Kayak Tours**: Glide across the serene waters of Deep Creek Lake, surrounded by stunning landscapes, and enjoy the calming effects of water therapy.Kayak Tours near Deep Creek Lake

– **Wildlife Observation**: Witness the wonders of wildlife in their natural habitats, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intricate balance of the ecosystem. Birds of Prey Program near Deep Creek Lake

– **Family-Friendly Outings**: Spend quality time with your loved ones in a safe, fun, and enriching environment that offers something for every member of the family.

Embracing Nature with All Earth Eco Tours, LLC

At All Earth Eco Tours, LLC, we believe in the power of nature to heal, inspire, and uplift. Our carefully curated tours provide you with the perfect escape from the rigors of daily life, allowing you to experience the magic of nature therapy in the beautiful setting of Deep Creek Lake.

Whether you’re looking to recharge solo, connect with friends or family, or simply find peace in the great outdoors, All Earth Eco Tours, LLC is here to help you go outside, find peace, and embrace the calm that nature brings.

Take the first step towards a rejuvenating and memorable experience by scheduling a tour with us. Your journey to relaxation, fun, and nature therapy begins with All Earth Eco Tours, LLC. Join us in Garrett County and discover the tranquility that awaits.

Family time outside is just so much fun! Join one of our fabulous kayak tours and reconnect with nature as you connect                                 with each other.

 

Why Go Guided?

In this DIY world with information at your fingertips it’s a good time to talk about how taking a guided hiking tour adds to your travel experience.

It’s easy these days to find a local place like Swallow Falls and just wing it. But, when you go on a guided hiking tour, you get the local information from an actual human! You have an opportunity to have fun as you learn about the area, its natural history, plants, animals and ecology. You learn what to take on solo hikes, how to stay warm enough and hydrated enough and even how to build a fire sometimes too. Having the background information you get on a guided hiking tour makes your travel experience richer and gives you a better understanding of the environment around you.

We keep the kids safe and out of poison ivy and we always make extra efforts to connect with them and help them connect with nature. In winter, you can join us for Snowshoeing & Winter Hikes and in the spring, summer experience  Guided Hiking Tours for All Ages

Guided hiking tours Deep Creek lake

Another reason to go guided with us is because our local mountain guides share their love of Deep Creek Lake’s outdoor areas, and trails and are very familiar with the adventure scene.

When you choose to participate in a guided hiking tour, you get firsthand knowledge of what’s available for future visits.  Not just info about the best places for hiking, sightseeing and fun, but also good guidance on local sites and other businesses.

Things like where to eat, shop and other fun things to do.

What you especially get from a guide is years of experience without having the sometimes hit and miss process of self-discovery. You also get to experience some of the off-the-beaten-path hiking places that can miss the radar of the casual visitor. For instance, going guided on our kayak tours, can be the difference between seeing eagles at their haunts and perching areas or not even knowing where to look. Going guided is an excellent way to begin something new. We see past kayak tour guests out on the water all the time. We are always so happy to see them out exploring on their own. BUT, on some of our hiking tours, we may have to flash your memory to keep the special places secret.

Our guides teach you about things like medicinal plants and what our local bears are really all about. (Without the hype or misinformation).

Going on a guided hike can open you up to discovering areas you just aren’t comfortable exploring on your own and can bring interesting new insights to places you’ve been before.

Our goal is always to help folks move towards their own adventures, so our trips are full of easy, common-sense information and techniques for safe outdoor travel.

Our hikes can be customized too. If you want to learn more skills, we can teach some fire building or do a map and back country compass course. In winter, we bring hot chocolate to share. We usually take some family photos for you too!

We think you will really appreciate an adventure with us. Let’s get outside and explore together!

Deep Creek Snow Report

Deep-Creek-Snow-Report Beautiful, snow covered hemlock forest at Deep Creek Crede Calhoun photo

Deep Creek Snow Report. The weather this winter has been pretty gross. That is all.

We are reporting though, that the forest, as always, is stunningly beautiful. We do not expect enough snow for snowshoeing, and we are starting to think about spring. It’s a great time to book a Yoga to You experience. Deep Creek Lake -Yoga to You – All Earth Eco Tours Yoga to You (allearthtours.com)

They are predicting some snow though, so who knows, maybe the weather forecast will mean we get a miracle, real, snowstorm. Friendsville, MD weather forecast | MSN Weather

Think snow! And, start planning for summer too! Kids LOVE our Farm Camp that we do with our friends at Backbone Food Farm. Welcome to Farm Camp 2023 an organic Day Camp for Kids (backbonefarm.com)

Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County Highway Webcams

Snowshoeing and Hiking News!

Holy cow!, 8-12 inches predicted to fall Saturday into Sunday morning! This will be enough for snowshoeing on Sunday and will return the forest for a very brief period to absolute scenic splendor! This is perhaps the last chance to snowshoe and see our beautiful back country area graced with gorgeous snow. $40 per person guide, equipment and hot coco, two hour easy adventure!

We are always offering fun guided winter hikes with hot coco until March 21st. Then we move into Spring Birding and Wildflower Tours! Our interpretive guided hikes allow plenty of time for picture taking and some casual learning about the ecology, plants, animals and local history.  Nature walks such as tour at Swallow Falls are not about how fast and far can we go. They are more about fun learning, sort of tricky off trail hiking into wild places and really soaking in nature.

Swallow Falls Nature Tours go into seldom seen back country areas and see the Maryland’s highest waterfalls – Muddy Creek. We mostly avoid the heavily traveled park trails. This back country hiking does require some average balance and care if you have a bum knee.

We can also take you on adventures to other areas like the scenic and easy River Walk or unique Cranesville Swamp (level trail and boardwalk into a northern boreal bog).  Spring wild flower and bird walks

Just give us a call to discuss you personal and group needs. Most regularly scheduled tours are Saturday and Sunday from 10am to Noon.

Photos from the winter hikes Saturday and Sunday February 26th & 27th

  • Saturday 2-26

January 7th Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

January 7th Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Well helllooo! everyone! Good news to report. We got 6-10 inches and are open for snowshoeing. Saturday we are offering our two hour tour at 10:00 am and we will open a 1:00PM tour if we get enough folks.

Sunday we are offering the tour at 9:00AM to try and get it in before rain moves in.

Link To Our Weather Page – Here you will find our favorite weather web links and webcams for the Deep Creek Lake and Surrounding Area.

Conditions are suitable especially since the 6-10 inches snow fell on frozen ground. It should be very scenic and beautiful in the forest and at the waterfalls. It won’t be ideal but we will take what we can get!

Forecast: Next week there is some snow in the forecast. And some frigid weather will freeze up what’s left of the snowpack after Sunday afternoon rain. We are very confident we will be snowshoeing next weekend and currently we are accepting reservations for tours Monday through Friday as well.

Early season is a good time to catch otter tracks and bear tracks!

January 5th, Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

January 5th, Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Hello everyone. It’s about time. Here is our first snow report! Whoppie!

A storm event is coming through Thursday and may leave 4-8″ by Friday. Weather appears fairly unstable after that for Sunday with some afternoon rain moving in. The hopeful part is the ground is pretty frozen so what falls could start a base. Monday gets could again with snow showers and colder more seasonal weather appears to be moving in later next week. Throw in some precipitation and winter could be back? Stay tuned here for the storm outcome and next week right here to see where we are at and what’s up.

weather forecast for Deep Creek Lake
Accuweather Screen Capture, McHenry Maryland – January 7th Forecast

Nevertheless our guided hikes for Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning should be very beautiful with the forest covered in snow. A journey into our very special backcountry areas will definitely provide superb picture taking and oohing and awwwing.  Swallow Falls has been very crowded on weekends. We will be avoiding the main trails as usual in the interest of safety. Currently our region is at severe covid risk and our Governor has declared a state of emergency. Be safe out there folks.

Guide and photographer Crede Calhoun loves getting folks fired up about nature photography!

Link To Our Weather Page – Here you will find our favorite weather web links and webcams for the Deep Creek Lake and Surrounding Area.

A few inches of snow always makes for a scenic winter adventure with or without snowshoes.

 

 

Later Fall Hiking Tours

Having some great fall and late fall hiking tours as we approach winter. This week we had the pleasure of guiding a nice family from New Jersey on our 2 hour Swallow Falls Nature Walk. (See photos below) David and Christina had bought the kids digital cameras for their triplets, Emily, Sarah and Katie, It was fun blending in some photo work shop learning on the hike and kids really got into it and exploring the lighting. Grandma Sherri joined the hike too.

Weather was chilly and and you needed gloves and warm clothes. Remember folks, weather in our mountains is chilly. Especially at Swallow Falls which can be extra cold due to its proximity to the Cranesville Sub Artic Swamp. Prepare for winter from now on out. Hard frosts are almost every night.

However this weather makes for wonderful hiking if you are properly dressed.

2022 Snow Report Information

Hello folks! As soon as weather starts to look snowy this page will start to get updated regularly. STAY TUNED. You are always welcome to call for the latest information on conditions currently and upcoming forecasts. You can make a reservation for your desired date and then you will be assured of participating in a tour. Last year we turned away a lot of folks because of limits on our trip size. We want to preserve the wild feel of our tours so we do limit the group size to 15.

Deep Creek Lake Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Tours Information

Here is our favorite weather link.

March 20 Snow Report

Last snow report of the year! Unless….we get a dump of 12″ or more.

What an amazing year it was! Spring is springing. We actually have some snow but it is too spotty.

Guided hikes are available and they do include on and off trail explorations in a variety of scenic locations. Wild flower season is coming to the Youghiogheny Wild River and Natural Area. Stay tuned to our facebook and instagram for spring programs like wild flower walks and reptile seeking adventures wit the Feral Nut when weather warms for our scaley freinds.

We will see you next year!

March 8th Snowshoeing Report

Well folks…conditions held the weekend of March 6th and 7th and were some of the best spring snowshoeing in years. The hard snow makes travel in the backcountry super easy and you can scamper about anywhere. The ease of climbing and descending with our mountaineering MSR snowshoes makes tackling rugged terrain part of the fun!

As far as next weekend a big thaw is brewing midweek but not coming with much rain. There will be some melt with the warm nights and ‘possible’ showers appearing. Shade temepratures will stay cool and cold nights next weekend might deliver more good conditions for snowshoeing.

If any snow remains after the weekend of March 13th and 14th cold nights and some snow returns to the forecast. Could it possible we’ll make it to April?

Make reservations and you can always convert your snowshoeing tour to a special backcountry guided hike ($10 discount) or cancel (24 notice required for refund).

We will be monitoring the weather closely and check our FACEBOOK page for updates as the weekend approaches.

Saturday and Sunday have space. Call 301-746-4083 for latest and to make reservations.

March Snowshoeing in western Maryland March Snowshoeing in western Maryland

Tour Slideshow from March 7th- (may take time to load)