Catoctin Mountain Park Custom Search In the 1930's, after years of making charcoal to fuel the 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.    CONTACTS Email - CATO_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 301-271-2764 Write to 6602 Foxville Road Thurmont, MD 21788-1598 Phone Visitor Information (TTY) - 301-663-9388 Headquarters - 301-663-9330 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Park is open year-round during daylight hours. Visitor Center hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00am to 4:30pm; Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am to 5:00pm; closed for the following winter federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, President's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. 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 1st through April 15th. Getting There PLANE - Catoctin Mountain Park is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Dullas International Ariport in Northern Virginia, approximately 1 1/2 hours from Regan National Airport in Washington, DC, and approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International Airport near Baltimore, MD. CAR - In MD from Route 15 North, exit onto Route 77 West. Go approximately 3 miles, turn Right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right. From Hagerstown, MD, take Route 77 East. Turn left onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right. From Gettysburg, PA, take Route 15 south, exit onto Route 77 West, go approximately 3 miles, turn right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to or in Catoctin Mountain Park. Accessibility The park Visitor Center is fully accessible and two trails, the Spicebush Nature Trail and the Sawmill Trail. Please refer to our expanded web pages for more information. Getting Around Since there is no public transportation to or within Catoctin Mountain Park, a vehicle is necessary. Most of the hiking trails are accessed from the park Visitor Center. FEES/PERMITS Permits ADIRONDACK SHELTERS Free! for 7 Days Year-round, hike in camping can be found at the Adirondack Shelters located on the northern tip of the Horse Trail. Each of the two 3-sided shelters, similar to those on the Appalachian Trail, can accomodate up to 5 people. Campers must stay in the shelter and may not erect tents near the shelter or on the trail thus minimizing impact on park resources. A primitive otilet per provided. Permits for the Adirondack Shelters are issued free of charge at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis, 10:00am until 4:30pm Mon-Fri, and 8:30am until 5pm weekends. Permittees must be at least 18 years old. ROCK CLIMBING Free! for Day A rock climbing permit may only be issued for Wolf Rock. All other areas within the park are closed to rock climbing and rappelling. Climbing helmets are required. CAMPING Camp Misty Mount Enjoy rustic cabin camping at historic Camp Misty Mount. The Works Progress Administration completed construction of the 30-acre camp in 1937. The cabins were constructed in the 'rustic architecture' style using local materials, specifically American Chestnut. Originally designed as an organized camp for use by groups, Misty Mount today is available for rent to both individuals and groups. Cabins are equipped with single metal cots with mattresses. Flush toilets and hot showers are centrally located. Each cabin has a picnic table, grill and fire circle. For More Information on this campground please call 301-271-3140 Owens Creek Campground Sites available on a first come, first served basis. Five people or the immediate household per site. Each of the 51 wooded sites is equipped with a picnic table, grill, lantern post and tent pad. While there are no hook-ups, flush toilets are provided in each of the 2 comfort stations, 1 of which has hot showers. Maximum tent size is 9'x12'. Multiple tents are permitted but must fit on the 9'x12'tent pad, and must not exceed 108 square feet per site. Towed trailers up to 22' in length and motor homes of any size are accepted. Pets are permitted on leash. For More Information on this campground please call 301-663-9388 Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping Area Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Poplar Grove is open to adult supervised organized youth groups whose members are under age 18. There are 3 sites within Poplar Grove. Each site accommodates up to 25 people. Groups share pit toilets, water, and a pavilion. Each site has picnic tables, grills, and a fire circle. Groups provide all personal convenience items including toilet paper, and are responsible for their own trash removal. Reservations are required. For More Information on this campground please call (301) 663-9388 LODGING Camp Greentop Camp Greentop can accommodate 140 people and is set up in units of cabins. There are lights in each cabin, but there are no electric outlets. Cots and mattresses are provided. Sleeping cabins are not heated! There is one latrine to each unit. Each latrine has 3 flush toilets and 3 showers with hot and cold water. The central shower house has 12 showers and 5 fluch toilets. Campers bring all gear including food, utensils, cookware, detergents, toilet paper and toilet articles, bedding, etc. Groups do their own cooking in the Dining Hall. The only fireplaces that may be used are in the Dining Hall and the Recreation Hall, all others are prohibited from use. It is the responsiblity of the group using the facility to see that the camp is left in a clean and orderly condition. There is a field area available for recreation, sports, etc. There is one swimming pool at the camp however, it is NOT available to weekend groups. Application forms may be obtained by writing to Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788-1598, or by calling the Administration Office at (301) 663-9330. For price information and application dates, please refer to our expanded web page at: http://www.nps.gov.cato/group.htm For More Information on this lodging please call (301) 663-9330 Camp Round Meadow Open All Year Camp Round Meadow accommodates a maximum of 120 people. At no time may this limit be exceeded. There are 4 dormitories, each sleeping 30 people. Cots and mattresses are provided. Campers bring all gear including detergents, toilet paper and toilet articles, bedding, etc. The dormitory bathrooms have electric outlets. Personal care appliances are permitted in the bathrooms, but not in the dorms. Each lavatory in the dormitories has 2 showers and 2 flush toilets. All have hot and cold water. A kitchen and dining hall is available for use be groups for an additional fee. Groups bring all dishes, utensils, cookware and supplies. Preparation of food by groups is permitted or groups may utilize near-by caterers. There is a small outside court with a tennis net, volleyball net, and basketball backboards. There is an outside fire circle near the court. A small grassy area near a dorm provides limited area for frisbee and other lawn games, excluding lawn darts and horseshoes. A gym and conference room is available for an addition fee. Application forms may be obtained by writing Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788-1598, or by calling the Administration Office at (301) 663-9330. Visit our web site for more information, fee schedule, and application dates: http://www.nps.gov/cato/group.htm For More Information on this lodging please call (301) 663-9330 FACILITIES Visitor Centers VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 10:00am-4:30pm Phone - 301-663-9388 Location - From Highway 15 North, exit onto MD State Route 77 west, approximately 3.5 miles turn right onto Park Central Road and turn right into the Visitor Center parking lot. Closures - Closed for the following winter federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, President's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Exhibits - The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center includes a small exhibit area featuring native wildlife and cultural history. Charcoal Industry as related to the Catoctin Iron Furnace located in neighboring Cunningham Falls State Park, Whiskey Still Industry, Sawmill Industry, and local farming are featured.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Catoctin Mountain Park.   Campgrounds Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Crow's Nest Campground, Thurmont, 2 miles away Cunningham Falls State Park, Thurmont, 2 miles away William Houck Campground, Frederick County, 3 miles away Ole Mink Farm Campground, Thurmont, 5 miles away Catoctin Quaker Camp, Thurmont, 5 miles away Mountain Farm Campground, Smithsburg, 8 miles away Gambrill State Park, Near Myersville, 8 miles away   Marinas Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Gettysburg Marine Center, Biglerville , 16 miles away   Hotels Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Super 8 Thurmont, Thurmont , 1 miles away Hampton Inn Suites FrederickFort Detrick, Frederick , 9 miles away Sleep Inn & Suites, Emmitsburg , 10 miles away Comfort Inn Red Horse, Frederick , 10 miles away Best Western Historic Frederick, Frederick , 10 miles away Travelodge Frederick, Frederick , 11 miles away Econo Lodge Frederick, Frederick , 11 miles away   Trails Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Cunningham Falls Nature Trail, Frederick County , 3 miles away High Rock Nature Trail, Frederick County , 3 miles away Spiderbush Nature Trail, Frederick County , 4 miles away Warrior Trail, Franklin County , 12 miles away Sandy Ridge Trail, Franklin County , 12 miles away   Ski Areas Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Ski Liberty, Pennsylvania , 9 miles away, 620 foot drop, 8 lifts, 16 runs Ski Roundtop, Pennsylvania , 44 miles away, 600 foot drop, 11 lifts, 15 runs Tussey Mountain, Pennsylvania , 66 miles away, 500 foot drop, 5 lifts, 8 runs Blue Knob, Pennsylvania , 86 miles away, 1072 foot drop, 7 lifts, 34 runs   Whitewater Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Hunting Creek, Fredrick County , 2 miles away, Class III-IV+(V) - 2.5 miles long (Catoctin Hollow Road to Frank Bentz Lake) Owens Creek, Frederick County , 4 miles away, Class II-IV - 8 miles long (Lantz to Rocky Ridge Road) Owens Creek, Frederick County , 5 miles away, Class I-II - 5 miles long (Rocky Ridge Road to Monocacy River) Middle creek, Frederick County , 5 miles away, Class II-III(V) - 6.3 miles long (Wolfsville to Myersville) Antietam Creek - East Branch, Franklin County , 12 miles away, Class I-IV - 9 miles long (Old Forge to confluence with West Branch)   Public Lands Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Harpers Ferry - WV , 28 miles away Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, McLean - VA , 28 miles away Wolf Trap Farm Park, Vienna - VA , 38 miles away Greenbrier State Park, West Virginia , 14 miles away Seneca Creek State Park, Maryland , 23 miles away Patuxent River State Park, Maryland , 25 miles away Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland , 39 miles away   Golf Courses Near Catoctin Mountain Park: Maple Run Golf Course, Thurmont , 2 miles away Monterey Country Club, Blue Ridge Summit , 8 miles away Glade Valley Golf Club, Walkersville , 8 miles away Maryland National Golf Club, Middletown , 9 miles away Clustered Spires Golf Course, Frederick , 10 miles away   Lakes Near Catoctin Mountain Park Hunting Creek Lake, Frederick County , 3 miles away Culler Lake, Frederick County , 10 miles away Long Pine Run Reservoir, Adams County , 18 miles away