The belief that the King and Queen's Seat rock formation was used by Native Americans for ceremonial purposes stems from a book published in 1880 by Thomas Wysong entitled The Rocks of Deer Creek: Their Legends and History.[4] Wysong's account was written for "the young people especially,... mingling fact and fancy."[5] An archaeological investigation by the Maryland State Highway Administration begun in 2005 failed to find evidence that the site had significance to modern Indians as a “traditional cultural property.” The “Rocks of Deer Creek” were already a tourist attraction in the 19th century, served by the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad at milepost 35.3 until 1958.[4] The state purchased 82 acres at the site in 1949, opening it under the name Deer Creek State Park in 1953.[6][7]
Park areas
Main
The park has three noncontiguous sections in Deer Creek Valley. The largest section, home to park headquarters, is located along Rocks Ridge and is home to the King and Queen's Seat rock formation, a 190-foot (58 m) rock outcropping that towers above the banks of Deer Creek.
Falling Branch
The Falling Branch area is a 67-acre (27 ha) tract of land located 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the Rock Ridge section, along the Falling Branch tributary of Deer Creek. It is home to Kilgore Falls, the second highest waterfall in Maryland.[8]
Hidden Valley
The Hidden Valley section, located 5 miles (8.0 km) to the west of the Falling Branch area, is an undeveloped area along the banks of Deer Creek primarily used for fishing.[3]
Activities and amenities
The park offers scenic views on 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of hiking trails as well as tubing on Deer Creek and picnicking facilities with pavilions. Hunting and fishing are also available.[3]
In popular culture
Kilgore Falls and the King and Queen's Seat rock formation were featured in the movie Tuck Everlasting.[9][10]
