Catoctin Mountain Park

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Official facts

Public access: Restricted access.

Protected area: 5,753 acres (2,328 ha).

Designation: Other Designation. Listed as "Catoctin Mountain Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Established: 1954.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Hiking trails trail
• Fishing water

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Events

• Artist-in-Residence Jerry and Notan
• World War 2 Weekend at Eisenhower National Historic Site
• Swing for the Fences: Beautifying Blue Blazes
• Movement on the Mountain: The African American History of Camp Round Meadow
• Catoctin Mountain Halloween Photo Walk

Places to eat

• Blue Ridge Summit Vista
• Hog Rock

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Pets are permitted on trails and in Owens Creek Campground as long as they are kept on a leash

Getting there

To reach the visitor center from the east, follow US Route 15 to MD Route 77 and go west about 3 miles. The visitor center is on the right side of the road. From the west, take I 70 to MD 66 at exit 35. Turn left onto MD 66 north and travel about 5 miles, passing through the roundabout. Turn right onto MD 64 and drive 1 mile. Turn right onto MD 77. Drive on MD 77 about 7.5 miles. The visitor center is on the left.

Weather & when to go

Summer (June-Aug) average temperature is between 61 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall (Sep-Nov) average temperature is between 45 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall foliage is at its peak in mid-October Winter (Dec-Feb) average temperature is between 24 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter snowfall is between 5-12" per month. Spring (March-May) average temperature is between 41 and 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Average precipitation is approximately 4 inches per month. (Source: usclimatedata.com)

Visitor center

Camp Round Meadow Electric Vehicle Charging

Visitor center

Camp Round Meadow Electric Vehicle Charging

Visitor center

Catoctin Visitor Center Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Visitor center

Catoctin Visitor Center Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Visitor center

Catoctin Visitor Center Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Visitor center

Chestnut Picnic Area Restrooms

Visitor center

Hog Rock Parking Area Restroom

Visitor center

Hog Rock Parking Area Restroom

Visitor center

Peniel (Park Headquarters)

Visitor center

Safety at Catoctin Mountain Park

Visitor center

Trailhead: Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail

Visitor center

Trailhead: Blue Ridge Summit

Facilities on the park map

1 bench, 1 changing table, 1 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 8 picnic area, 28 restroom, 18 visitor information, 2 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground Reservations Required. No Walk-Ins. 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 persons. Groups share pit toilets and a pavilion. Each site has picnic tables, grills and a fire circle. · 3 campsites · Accessibility: This facility is not ADA accessible.
• Camp Greentop Located on the National Register of Historic Places, Camp Greentop is a perfect location for organized groups to hold large events, retreats, or conferences. The camp has space for 150 people to sleep on twin beds. There are 12 cabins that sleep 10 each, one lodge that sleeps 12, and three smaller cabins. Recent upgrades include a new swimming pool, renovated Dining and Recreation Halls, and upgra · 16 campsites · Accessibility: All facilities are ADA accessible
• Camp Misty Mount Advanced reservations required. Camp Misty Mount is a cabin rental facility for individuals, families, or small groups. This historic cabin camp was completed in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration. The camp is surrounded by hardwood forests on the slopes of Catoctin Mountain Park. Recent upgrades to Camp Misty Mount include a renovated swimming pool and bath house, new cots and mattresses, · 29 campsites · Accessibility: Cabin 44 and Lodge 42 are wheelchair accessible. Due to the mountainous terrain at Camp Misty Mount, wheelchair mobility is impeded, except on paved or wooden…
• Camp Round Meadow Advanced reservations required. Camp Round Meadow accommodates up to 120 guests in 4 heated dorms that sleep 30 people each. Each dorm has bathrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, and electric outlets. Additional facilities include a dining hall, gymnasium, classrooms, a conference room, outdoor fire pit, and a small outdoor gazebo. Recent upgrades include renovated restrooms in the dorms and a · 1 campsite · Accessibility: One dorm, the dining hall, and the gymnasium have ramps. Some of the outdoor surfaces are paved, but assistance may be required to move throughout the camp.
• Owens Creek Campground Advanced reservations required. Owens Creek Campground offers family camping in a wooded setting. There are 50 sites, 3 have ADA features. Maximum trailer length is 22 feet. One vehicle is permitted per site. There are no hook-ups. Use of alcohol is prohibited. Pets allowed and must leashed and tended to at all time. Tent pads have been updated and expanded to a minimum size of 12' x 12'. See rese · 50 campsites · Accessibility: Three of the campsites at Owens Creek Campground are ADA accessible.
• Adirondack Shelters Reservations Required. No Walk Ins. Available year-round, the Adirondack Shelters located near the northern most point of the park, provide a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. There are two shelters that offer the bare minimum with regard to outdoor accommodation. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky and gently rolling terrain starting at Camp Ro · 2 campsites · Accessibility: The Adirondack shelters are not ADA accessible.

History

Opened

1935

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened
• Cunningham Falls State Park opened