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Catoctin Mountain Park

Thurmont, MD

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. $14.00 per night site fee. 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. $20.00 per night per site.
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.

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