Cove Creek Lodge
19638 Garrett Hwy
McHenry, MD
A redefined lakeside lodge on a quiet Deep Creek cove.
About Cove Creek Lodge
The property was once the Inn at Deep Creek, and before that Alpine Village, a longtime lake fixture that had grown tired. New owners took it on in late 2023 and did an extensive renovation, reopening in June 2024 under the name Cove Creek Lodge. Their aim was to bring a genuine upscale option to Deep Creek while keeping the comfort of a rustic mountain hotel, so the finishes feel warm and lived-in rather than glossy. The result is a small, thoughtfully run lodge that trades the old motel feel for something calmer and more considered.
What Cove Creek Lodge Is Known For
What sets Cove Creek apart is the free lake gear and the private cove it sits on. Being able to grab a kayak or paddleboard and push off into a quiet no-wake stretch of Deep Creek, at no extra cost and on your own schedule, turns the lake from a view into the whole point of the stay.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- Heated outdoor pool with sun patio (seasonal)
- Lakefront firepit with s'mores kits, plus community gas grills and firepits with Adirondack chairs
- Complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, with canoes and hammocks noted by guests
- Trex-board docks and a swim platform in a calm no-wake cove
- Indoor lounge with fireplaces and tabletop shuffleboard
- Black Antler Lounge (guest-only bar with cocktails and mocktails)
- In-room Keurig coffee makers and kitchenettes; select rooms with full kitchens
- Electric fireplaces and private decks or sitting areas in select rooms
- Dog-friendly rooms available (breed restrictions apply)
What Guests Love
- Fully renovated in 2024 with warm, rustic-modern rooms
- Free kayaks and paddleboards on a quiet no-wake cove
- Big outdoor social program: heated pool, lakeside firepits, grills, and a swim platform
- Select rooms have private decks and fireplaces
- Small, well-run lodge that rarely feels crowded
Worth Knowing
- This is a compact lodge with multiple room floors; confirm whether an upper-floor room has exterior or interior access if that matters to you.
- The pool and much of the lake gear are seasonal, so spring and fall visits may find some outdoor amenities closed.
- Private decks and fireplaces vary by room, so ask specifically if you want one when booking.
- Dock slips carry a nightly fee and are separate from the free kayaks and paddleboards.
- Dog-friendly rooms are limited and come with breed restrictions.
The Room
The renovated rooms and suites come in a range of layouts, and several of the best ones pair an electric fireplace with a private deck or outdoor sitting area for morning coffee by the water. Interiors lean into the setting with touches like vaulted, wood-paneled ceilings and leather armchairs, and each room carries the practical comforts you want on a lake trip: a Keurig coffee maker, smart TV, walk-in shower, and a kitchenette with a microwave and mini-fridge. A few larger units step up to a full kitchen with a bigger refrigerator, a two-burner stove, and a dining table, which makes a longer stay easy.
The Grounds
The grounds are built for spending the day outside. A heated outdoor pool with a sun patio anchors the level lawn between the lodge and the shoreline, and community gas grills and firepits with Adirondack chairs sit nearby for cookouts and evenings by the flame. Down at the water there is a large lakeside firepit with s'mores kits on hand, plus new Trex-board docks and a swim platform tucked into a calm no-wake cove. Guests can register complimentary kayaks and paddleboards at the front desk, and reviewers mention canoes and hammocks in the mix, while indoors a lounge with fireplaces and a tabletop shuffleboard gives everyone somewhere to gather when the weather turns.
The Experience
A stay here feels unhurried in the way a good lake trip should. Mornings are for coffee on the deck or a slow paddle across the glassy cove, afternoons drift between the pool and the swim platform, and evenings end around a firepit with the mountains going dark across the water. The guest-only Black Antler Lounge is there for a handcrafted cocktail before dinner, and the whole property is small enough that it never feels crowded.
Details
McHenry, MD 21550
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cove Creek Lodge pet friendly?
Yes, Cove Creek Lodge is pet friendly.
Does Cove Creek Lodge serve breakfast?
No, Cove Creek Lodge does not serve breakfast.
What is there to do near Cove Creek Lodge?
Deep Creek Lake State Park: 6 miles, about a 10 minute drive. Swallow Falls State Park: 11 miles, about a 20 minute drive. Wisp Resort: 4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is Cove Creek Lodge from Deep Creek Lake State Park?
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is Cove Creek Lodge from Swallow Falls State Park?
11 miles, about a 20 minute drive.
How far is Cove Creek Lodge from Wisp Resort?
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
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Things to Do Near Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake State Park
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
A lakefront state park with a sandy swimming beach, a discovery center, and trails climbing Meadow Mountain. It is the easiest way to reach the public shoreline and shady picnic spots on the lake.
Swallow Falls State Park
11 miles, about a 20 minute drive.
Home to Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's tallest free-falling waterfall, tucked into a grove of ancient hemlocks and rushing over the Youghiogheny River. A short loop trail links several falls in under an hour.
Wisp Resort
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
A four-season mountain resort with skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking, a mountain coaster, and a whitewater course in summer. Its slopes rise right above the McHenry side of the lake.