Simple Living in the Old Line State: A Traveler’s Guide to Maryland’s Amish Communities

While Maryland is often associated with Chesapeake Bay crabs and coastal history, it is also home to a quiet, steadfast Amish population. With an estimated 2,000 residents, Maryland’s Amish communities are smaller and more dispersed than those in neighboring Pennsylvania, offering a uniquely serene experience for travelers who appreciate rural landscapes and traditional craftsmanship.

Here is a guide to Maryland’s Amish settlements, where the pace of life remains measured by the sun and the season.

1. St. Mary’s County (Mechanicsville & Charlotte Hall)

• Population: ~1,570
• Founded: 1940
• The Vibe: This is the heartbeat of Maryland’s Amish presence. Spanning the rural roads of Mechanicsville, Charlotte Hall, and Loveville, this community is the state’s largest and most visitor-accessible settlement.
• Traveler’s Insight: If you visit, head to the “Loveville” area. You’ll find farm markets, leather shops, and the famous Loveville Produce Auction. The region is perfect for a scenic drive along routes 236 and 247, where you can spot traditional grey-topped buggies and visit local shops for handmade quilts and furniture.

2. Union Mills (Carroll County)

• Population: ~200
• Founded: 2002
• The Vibe: As Maryland’s youngest and second-largest community, Union Mills has grown rapidly in its two decades of existence.
• Traveler’s Insight: Located in the north-central part of the state, this community has a “spillover” feel, as it is part of a larger multi-state settlement that reaches across the border into Pennsylvania. It is a quiet, industrious community that reflects the expansion of the nearby Lancaster County traditions.

3. Oakland (Garrett County)

• Population: ~135
• Founded: 1850
• The Vibe: History runs deep here. As Maryland’s oldest Amish community, Oakland has maintained a presence in the western mountains for over 170 years.
• Traveler’s Insight: This community is unique for its association with the “New Order” Amish, who permit electricity in their homes. It is a rare, secluded settlement that even includes a small number of converts, a fascinating anomaly in the broader Amish world.

4. Cecil County (Rising Sun & North East)

• Population: Varies (often categorized as Lancaster “spillover”)
• The Vibe: Situated just south of the Pennsylvania border, this area is home to families who are technically part of the broader Lancaster County settlement.
• Traveler’s Insight: While not always officially tallied in every census, many observers note a growing number of Amish families in the fields near Rising Sun and North East. It is a less formal tourist destination, best experienced by enjoying the rolling, agricultural vistas of Northern Maryland.

Travel Tips for Visiting

• Observe with Respect: These areas are working farms and private residences. When driving the backroads, please be mindful of horse-drawn buggies and always yield the right of way.
• Sundays are for Rest: As is standard in Amish culture, all shops and businesses will be closed on Sundays as the community focuses on faith and family.
• Bring Cash: Many small farm stands and craft shops are cash-only. Having small bills will make your purchases at local markets much easier.

Statistics and community profiles are based on data from the Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College and regional reporting.

Maryland travel, Amish communities, Visit Maryland, St. Marys County, Southern Maryland, Amish life, Mechanicsville MD, Carroll County, Garrett County, Amish shops, rural Maryland, cultural tourism, Oakland MD, travel guide, Midwestern traditions, authentic travel, Amish heritage, farm markets, scenic driving, East Coast Amish.

Maryland is home to both Amish and Mennonite communities

This short video provides a helpful overview of the presence of Amish and Mennonite communities in Maryland, confirming their historic ties to the region and the lifestyle differences found in different counties.