Catoctin Mountain
Park

Visit our expanded home page.

In the 1930's, after years of making charcoal to fuel an iron furnace, mountain farming, and harvesting of trees for timber, land was purchased to be transformed into a productive recreation area; helping to put people back to work during the great depression. Beginning in 1935, the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area was under construction by both the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally planned to provide recreational camps for federal employees, one of the camps eventually became the home of the Presidential retreat, Camp David. The Presidential retreat is not open or accessible to the public, but the eastern hardwood forest of Catoctin Mountain Park has many other attractions for visitors: camping, picnicking, fishing, 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic mountain vistas, all await your exploration.

VISITATION:
Peak visitation is October, when fall colors are at their best. Winter months are low visitation.

LOCATION:
Thurmont, MD

ADDRESS:
Superintendent
Catoctin Mountain Park
6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788-1598

TELEPHONE:
(301) 663-9330 or (301) 663-9388, Visitor Center

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Park is open year-round during daylight hours.

Visitor center hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed winter federal holidays and occasional winter days.

Owens Creek Campground open April 15 through the 3rd Sunday in November.

Camp Misty Mount, a family cabin rental facility, is open from April 15th through the end of October.

Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping Area is closed from March 1 through April 15th.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Temperatures range from below freezing in the winter months, to the upper 90 degrees in the summer months. Relatively high humidity prevails.

DIRECTIONS:
Traveling north on Interstate Route 270, take Route 15 north, past Frederick, Maryland. Exit on State Route 77 west. Exit sign will say Catoctin Mountain Park. Traveling west on Route 70, exit onto Route 15 north. Exit on State Route 77 west. Exit sign will say Catoctin Mountain Park.

TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: There is no public transportation to Catoctin Mountain Park. Nearest airport is Dulles International Airport, Herndon, Virginia.
In Park: There is no public transportation in the Park.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
There is no entrance fee to Catoctin Mountain Park. Owens Creek Campground fee is $12.00 per night per site, for five people. Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping Area is $15.00 per night per site, for 25 people. Camp Misty Mount, cabins begin at $40.00 per night.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Has visitor center/exhibits area and a cooperating association book sales outlet, over 25 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, and scenic overlooks just one-half mile walk from parking areas.

Programs/Activities:
Interpretive programs are offered year-round. Send for calendar of events. Educational programs available to groups by advance reservation on weekdays. Send for informational brochure.

School House This park is featured in a lesson plan created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America's historical experiences and cultural expressions.

Lodging and camping facilities:
One family campground, Owens Creek Campground, sites available on a first come, first served basis. One youth group campground, advance reservations only. Individual cabin rental facility, Camp Misty Mount, advance reservations only.

Food/supplies:
Food and limited supplies are available locally in the town of Thurmont, Maryland. Seasonal concession facility in Cunningham Falls State Park, adjacent to Catoctin Mountain Park.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Cunningham Falls State Park is directly adjacent to Catoctin Mountain Park. Camping, fishing, hiking, and lake with swimming beach, are all available.

Accessibility:
Park Visitor Center is accessible. The one-half mile Spicebush Nature Trail is paved for accessibility, and the sawmill exhibit has an accessible ramp. Camp Greentop, a large group rental facility, is fully accessible.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Hiking trails, wildlife watching, cross country skiing, if snow permits, wildflower photography, picnicking, camping, and fishing.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations required for Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping Area and Camp Misty Mount cabin rental facility. Permits required for use of Adirondack Shelter and rock climbing. Some interpretive programs require reservations. All educational programs (school groups, etc.) require reservations.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Hikes vary from 30 minutes to seven hours. The average hike is two to three hours. Plan to spend 30 minutes in the park visitor center.

VISITOR IMPACTS:
Park Central Road, the main road through the park, is closed in the winter months. Part of Manahan Road is also closed in the winter months. These closures reduce traffic accidents, reduce park maintenance, reduce the use of salt to melt icy roads, and provide areas for cross-country skiing opportunities.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Cunningham Falls State Park, entrances on Route 15 and on Route 77 west, and Catoctin Mountain Zoo, located on Route 15.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For park brochure, calendar of events, camping information, education programs brochure, etc., write to Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, or call 301-663-9388.

______________________________


URL - http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm
Last Updated: 6/24/98