Woodland Chalet: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Stay

You’ve booked Woodland Chalet—congratulations. You’re about to spend time in one of the most memorable vacation homes at Deep Creek Lake. Eight bedrooms spread across multiple levels, an indoor heated pool, two hot tubs, a game room, a private theater, and enough gathering space for 20 people to be together without ever feeling crowded. It’s a lot of house, and a little advance knowledge goes a long way toward making the most of it.

Think of this guide as a note from a friend who’s stayed before—the practical details, the pleasant surprises, and the things you’ll be glad you knew on arrival day.

Getting There

Woodland Chalet sits at 386 Hines Drive in Swanton, Maryland—tucked into the wooded hills above Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. If you’re coming from Washington D.C. or Baltimore, expect about a three-hour drive west on I-68. From Pittsburgh, it’s roughly two and a half hours south. Cleveland is about four hours east. The nearest airports are Morgantown (WV), about an hour away, and the Wisp Resort regional airport for private flights.

The last stretch of your drive takes you off the main roads and onto quiet mountain lanes. GPS will get you there, but keep your eyes open for the turn onto Hines Drive—it comes up quickly.

A Word About the Driveway

The driveway is steep. Not dangerously so, but steep enough that you should know about it in advance. In summer, it’s a non-issue—just take it slow and you’ll be fine. In winter (November through March), 4WD, AWD, or snow tires are strongly recommended for the area. The mountain roads and the driveway can get slick after a snowfall, and you’ll want the traction.

That said, the driveway is a small price for the privacy you get. The chalet is surrounded by woods, set back from the road, and the moment you step out of the car, the only sounds are birds and wind through the trees. One repeat guest put it perfectly: “The location is ideal—it’s surrounded by woods. You don’t feel like you’re sharing your vacation with your neighbors.”

What to Bring (and What You Don’t Need To)

Woodland Chalet is well-equipped for a large group. Bed linens and bath towels are provided for all guests, and both kitchens come fully stocked with cookware, bakeware, dishes, and utensils—enough to cook a holiday dinner for 20. There are drip and single-cup coffee makers on the main level, so bring your favorite coffee or pods.

Do bring:

• Groceries and beverages—the nearest market is about a 10-minute drive (Arrowhead Market or Deep Creek Lake area shops)
• Pool towels if you prefer your own for the indoor pool and hot tubs
• Charcoal or propane for the gas grill if you plan to grill out
• Board games, cards, or favorite movies (though the game room and theater may keep you plenty busy)
• Winter layers and warm boots if visiting November through March
• Swimsuits—yes, even in winter, the indoor heated pool and hot tubs are always ready

Already there for you:

• Bed linens and bath towels for all bedrooms
• Fully equipped kitchens (two of them) with cookware, dishes, and utensils
• Coffee makers (drip and single-cup)
• Central A/C and heating
• WiFi throughout the house
• 12 smart TVs with streaming capability
• Washer and dryer

Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Detailed check-in instructions, including access codes, will be provided through your guest portal after booking. Plan to arrive during daylight if possible—it makes navigating the driveway and unloading the car much easier, and you’ll want to see those mountain views on your first walk through.

At check-out, a simple checklist covers the basics: start the dishwasher, gather the trash, adjust the thermostat, and lock up. Nothing complicated, and the full list will be in your welcome materials.

Exploring the House — Level by Level

Woodland Chalet is big enough that your first walk-through feels like an adventure. Here’s what you’ll find on each level.

Main Level

This is where the house makes its first impression. The kitchen (16’×18’) is fully equipped with two ovens, two dishwashers, a wine cooler, and more counter space than most people have at home. The breakfast nook and formal dining room seat the whole group comfortably. Off the kitchen, you’ll find a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, a family room (20’×13’), an office/workspace, and three bedrooms including a primary suite with a king bed and an oversized jetted tub. There’s also a laundry room with a washer and dryer—a lifesaver for longer stays.

Upper Level

Upstairs you’ll find two more bedrooms (both with king beds), a full bath, and a small wet bar landing area—a good spot to set up a beverage station away from the main kitchen traffic.

Lower Level

The lower level is where the fun lives. The game room stretches 17’×45’ with a pool table and foosball table. The theater room (11’×21’) has a big screen for movie nights. There’s a full second kitchen (17’×14’), perfect for late-night snacks or morning coffee when you don’t want to trek upstairs. The lower-level primary suite (25’×21’) is massive, with a king bed and two full beds—ideal for a family with kids who want to stay close. Two outdoor hot tubs sit on the patio, overlooking the woods.

Pool House

Connected to the main house, the pool house is a standout. The main level has the indoor heated pool room (30’×28’) with the pool itself measuring 19 feet long by 10 feet wide. Upstairs is a lounge (30’×16’) with a wet bar, a full bathroom, and a big-screen TV—perfect for parents to relax while kids swim below. One guest called the indoor pool “a major highlight (A++)” and the hot tubs “amazing (A++).”

Pool and Hot Tub Tips

The indoor pool and both hot tubs are available throughout your stay, year-round. A few things worth knowing:

• The pool is heated and indoors, so it’s comfortable even on the coldest winter days
• No glass in the pool area—plastic cups and bottles only
• Children should always be supervised around the pool
• The hot tubs and pool are in separate areas, so plan accordingly if you’re hoping to go back and forth
• The pool house has its own TV, so you can watch a movie while the kids swim

One guest noted that “kids had a blast with the hot tubs and pools that were maintained almost daily.” The water is kept clean and ready for you.

Using the Dock Slip

Woodland Chalet comes with a dock slip on Deep Creek Lake, guaranteed from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The dock is about a 10-minute walk or a short drive down the road from the house—not steps-from-the-door access, but close enough to make regular use of it. Guests have walked to the dock several times a day during their stay.

If you’re bringing a boat or renting one locally, the dock slip is a genuine perk. Deep Creek Lake offers 3,900 acres of water for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and boating. If you don’t have your own watercraft, local marinas rent pontoons, kayaks, and paddleboards nearby.

Nearby Essentials

Woodland Chalet is secluded, but you’re not far from what you need:

• Groceries: Arrowhead Market and other shops are about a 10-minute drive. Stock up on the way in—the two full kitchens make cooking at home easy and economical for a big group.
• Dining out: Fireside Deli & Wine Shop for a casual lunch, Trader’s Coffee House for your morning espresso, Lakeside Creamery for ice cream after a lake day, and Short Story Brewing for craft beer with a view.
• Pharmacy and basics: Available in the Deep Creek Lake commercial area, about a 10–15 minute drive.
• Gas stations: Fill up on your way in—the nearest stations are along Route 219.

For a full list of restaurants, activities, and attractions, check out our Things to Do Near Deep Creek Lake guide.

House Rules — The Quick Version

Full house rules are provided with your booking confirmation, but here’s the overview:

• No pets—the property is not pet-friendly
• No smoking—inside or outside the house
• No parties or events—this is a family vacation home, not an event venue
• No unregistered guests—all guests must be listed on the reservation
• Minimum age 30 for the booking guest, and the property is for families only (no sorority/fraternity or non-chaperoned groups)
• Quiet hours apply in the evening out of respect for the mountain setting
• Parking: garage fits 1 vehicle, driveway accommodates up to 8 total

What Your Stay Will Actually Feel Like

Here’s the part no amenities list can capture: what it actually feels like to be at Woodland Chalet.

Morning starts with coffee on the expansive multi-level deck, where the mountain air is cool even in July and the only company might be a few deer picking their way through the treeline. Guests mention the deer constantly—they wander across the property throughout the day, and watching them from the deck never gets old.

By mid-morning, someone has started a pool tournament in the game room. Kids are splashing in the indoor pool. A few people have claimed the hot tubs. The two kitchens mean you can have a pancake station going on the main level while someone else preps lunch downstairs—no stepping on toes.

Afternoons might be a trip to the lake, a hike at Swallow Falls State Park to see Maryland’s tallest waterfall, or just hours on the deck with a book and the sound of birds. In winter, Wisp Resort is minutes away for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.

Evenings are when the house really shines. Fire up the outdoor wood-burning fireplace, make s’mores with the kids, and watch the embers glow while the mountain air cools down. One guest wrote: “We made s’mores almost every night and stayed on the deck enjoying the cool breeze, until the embers went out.” Others migrate to the theater room for a movie, or the game room for one more round of pool. The 12 smart TVs mean nobody has to argue about what to watch.

A returning guest summed it up simply: “The Woodland Chalet was incredible—a big, beautiful, spacious and accommodating getaway that felt like home but with more.”

A Few Last Tips

• Arrive in daylight if you can—the mountain roads are beautiful but unfamiliar, and you’ll want to explore the house before dark.
• Assign bedrooms before arrival if possible—with 8 bedrooms across multiple levels, it helps to have a plan so everyone can settle in quickly.
• Download entertainment in advance—WiFi is available throughout, but with 20 people streaming, having some content downloaded doesn’t hurt.
• Bring layers—mountain weather can shift quickly, especially spring and fall. Mornings on the deck can be 20 degrees cooler than afternoon.
• Plan one lazy day—with this much house, some of the best memories happen when nobody leaves the property at all.