About Catoctin Mountain Park
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-growth, a new role as a recreation area.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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)…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Maryland. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Hiking trails and parking areas are open year round, dawn to dusk, but may close as a result of security or safety concerns. Consult the park's website for updates: http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm. The visitor center, camps, and campgrounds have separate hours. Please see descriptions for those facilities elsewhere.
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
8-Mile Loop Trail
Covering the majority of the sites on the east side of the park, the 8-Mile Loop Trail provides hikers with…
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.
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
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…
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!
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!
Horse Riding
Public riding is not permitted on any trails in the park other than the designated public horse trail.
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…
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…
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.
Showing 18 of 22 NPS Things to Do records available for Catoctin Mountain Park.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center
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.…
Campgrounds
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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