Garrett State Forest in western Maryland, northwest of Oakland, covers 8,042 acres of mountain forests, streams, and valleys and is regarded as the birthplace of forestry conservation in the state. Its history began in 1906, when the Garrett Brothers donated 1,917 acres known as Swallow Falls, a gift that became the foundation of both the forest and Maryland’s present public lands system. The forest includes diverse tree stands, mountain streams, beaver ponds, cranberry bogs, and abundant wildlife. Today it is also a major recreation area, with trails, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, and a demonstration area that presents modern forest management.