President Franklin D. Roosevelt created programs to give people a chance to rebuild their lives from the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps gave this land a second opportunity and through re-gr...
Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
The Adirondack shelters are three-walled and roofed structures on platforms about 2 feet off the ground. They are surrounded by forest and each has a fire ring.
Reservations accepted yearly beginning on December 1 and are made through the superintendent's office. For reservation questions and/or booking please call: Catoctin Mountain Park Revenue and Fee Manager (240) 818-7086
Camp Greentop contains 16 cabins for sleeping as well as a dining hall, recreation building, sports field, and pool. The buildings are log cabin style with some stone accents. Upon arrival, the dining hall and recreation building are visible first, with the sports field on the left and the cabins on the right.
Camp Misty Mount consists of over 50 log cabins scattered across a forested hill. The main office is on the right as visitors drive in. Individual cabins are one-room structures with 4-6 beds, lodges have 8 beds, and the dining hall, a rustic wood building with long tables, seats 120.
Reservations can be made online at http://www.recreation.gov/ or by calling 877-444-6777.
Camp Round Meadow is a large facility with 4 dorms, a gymnasium, and a dining hall. There are park service facility buildings on one side of the camp. Each dorm has two wings that sleep 15 people each, and are log cabin style buildings. The gym is a two-story building with brown metal siding.
All sites are by reservation only and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
Owens Creek is a wooded area with campsites situated in 3 loops. There are two wooden bathroom buildings. Each campsite has a paved driveway, a mulched tent pad about 12 feet by 12 feet, a picnic table, and a fire ring.
Reservation and cancellation information is available at www.recreation.gov. Reservation must be made at least 2 days in advance. Self check-in is at 1:00 p.m., and check out is at 11:00 a.m.
Poplar Grove appears to be an empty field with a pavilion on one side and pit toilets on the other. However, it is divided into three sites, and each one has picnic tables, grills, and a fire circle.
This area is covered in rocks with uneven surfaces and crevasses. The most prominent rock is separated from the observation area and is roughly cylindrical, resembling a chimney. There is a view beyond the chimney of hills and valleys.
A large parking lot for about 25 cars, on the east side is the trailhead to the Blue Ridge Summit Trail and the pit toilet. The restroom is a permanent structure with a roof overhanging a concrete walkway. It has one restroom stall.
The area is a narrow parking lot in a picnic area, with two permanent pit toilets. The road and parking spaces are paved, the picnic area has wood chip paths to the tables and grills.
The visitor center hosts new exhibits, installed in spring 2019. Learn about the history of Catoctin Mountain and the national park that was created here. American Indians, farmers, iron makers, the WPA, CCC, Jobs Corps and so many others played a role in making Catoctin Mountain Park the special place it is today. Discover how even your visit plays a part in the making of this park. Eastern National provides a small sales area with items to help you remember your visit.
Covering the majority of the sites on the east side of the park, the 8-Mile Loop Trail provides hikers with a good challenge and rewards them with all of the best scenic points along the mountain ridge.
Cabin Camping
Lodging in the park can facilitate groups both large and small.
Fishing at Lewis Pond
The Lewis Pond offers a quiet and peaceful opportunity to go freshwater fishing.
Fly Fishing
Big Hunting Creek is a catch-and-return, fly fishing stream.
Rock Climbing
Wolf Rock is the only location on site open to technical rock climbing.
Deerfield Nature Trail
This 1.3 mile loop trail travels along Owens Creek, exploring the historical and ecological importance of the area.
Brown's Farm Trail
The Brown's Farm Trail is a mostly flat, half-mile loop trail that passes through several different forest ecosystems and the remains of an early 1900s farmstead.
Charcoal Exhibit Trail
This one-half mile loop trail will take you along several exhibits and displays that will tell the story of the once thriving charcoal making industry on the mountain.
Spicebush Trail
The Spicebush Trail is a short informative walk with wayside panels describing the ever-changing forests at Catoctin Mountain Park.
Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail
As you travel along the Blue Blazes creek, interpretive trailside signs explore stream ecology and the history of whiskey production on Catoctin Mountain during the time of Prohibition. The trail concludes at an actual whiskey still.
Birdwatching - Brown's Farm Trail
Birds can be observed throughout the entire park, but the secluded nature of the west side makes it ideal for birdwatching.
Hike to Chimney Rock: The Orange Blazed Trail
Chimney Rock reaches a maximum elevation of 1419 ft and Wolf Rock has an elevation of 1401 ft. Great for a romantic hike for that offers opportunities to get back in touch with nature and time to reflect on natures peacefulness and beauty.
Hike to the Falls and Hog Rock: The Yellow Blazed Trail
This loop is a moderate hike with uphill and downhill sections of the trail that include moderate to steep inclines. This trail is the longest loop (without making any variations) and features Maryland’s largest cascading waterfall at 78 feet and two stunning vistas. The Hog Rock Vista is the highest elevation overlook on any of the trails/loops reaching 1610 ft. Expect hills, uneven surfaces, and rocky terrain along this loop trail.
Hike to Thurmont Vista: The Pink Blazed Trail
Thurmont Vista Overlook, the highlight of the Pink Trail, reaches a maximum elevation of 1,499 ft. A moderate hike, traversing the mountainside, this trail provides hikers an opportunity to experience the second growth forests that cover the park.
Tent Camping
Catoctin Mountain has multiple traditional camping options for various group sizes.
Picnic Areas
Catoctin Mountain Park offers many places for individuals to sit down and enjoy a meal under the forest canopy.
Park Museum
Step inside the visitor center to walk through the park museum exhibits.
Catoctin Junior Ranger Program
Come explore Catoctin Mountain Park with our Junior Ranger Book!
Horse Riding
Public riding is not permitted on any trails in the park other than the designated public horse trail.
Orienteering
If you would like to practice your orienteering skills, the park maintains courses that are available for public use.
Cross-Country Skiing
Generally, the best skiing is along certain sections of park roads which are closed to vehicular traffic.
Catoctin Junior Angler Program
See what it takes to become a Junior Angler!
Tours
Count: 6
Chimney Rock & Wolf Rock Trail Loop
This 3.9 mile loop traverses the most difficult sections of trail in the park and allows hikers to experience the impressive views and geological formations at Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock.
Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, & Blue Ridge Summit Trail Loop
This loop is a moderate hike with uphill and downhill sections of the trail that include moderate to steep inclines. This trail is the longest loop (without making any variations) and features Maryland’s largest cascading waterfall at 78 feet and two stunning vistas. The Hog Rock Vista is the highest elevation overlook on any of the trails/loops reaching 1610 ft. Expect hills, uneven surfaces, and rocky terrain along this loop trail. Wolf Rock, Chimney Rock, & Hog Rock formations are pet free areas.
Deerfield Nature Trail: A Story of Natural Resources
The Deerfield Nature Trail takes you through a rich cultural history from American Indians gathering resources for stone tools to early European settlers homesteading in the area to start a new life. This 1.3 mile loop trail will reflect on the resources that were used to help people survive and thrive.
Ever-Changing Ecosystems: Brown's Farm Trail Loop
The Brown's Farm Trail is a mostly flat, half-mile loop trail that passes through several different forest ecosystems and the remains of an early 1900s farmstead.
History and Nature: Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail
The Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail is a place where nature and history come together in harmony.
Industry on the Mountain: Charcoal Exhibit Trail
Located at one of the numerous peaks of Catoctin Mountain, and approximately one mile north of the Visitor Center, the Charcoal Exhibit tells the story of how once the mountain belched smoke and was lit with seemingly ceaseless fires. This half mile hike is easily accessed from the Thurmont Vista Parking Area as well as from nearby hiking trails. Step back in history and learn of the history of the Charcoal Industry on Catoctin Mountain.
