National park · United States
Catoctin Mountain Park
Entry is free; drive in from Thurmont on Route 77 and walk the 2.5 mi loop to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock before 10:00, or come mid-October for foliage and expect full lots by 11:00.Entry is free; drive in from Thurmont on Route 77 and walk the 2.5 mi loop to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock before 10:00 AM, or come mid-October for foliage and expect full lots by 11:00 AM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²)
- About 5,800 acres of forest on the eastern slope of Catoctin Mountain; the boundary is shared with Cunningham Falls State Park (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Thurmont
Catoctin Mountain Park is a free, forested unit of the national park system on the eastern slope of Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County, Maryland, about 70 mi north of Washington, D.C. It was built as a recreation demonstration area in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose stone and timber work still shapes the visitor centre, trails and the Camp Misty Mount cabins. Camp David, the presidential retreat, sits inside the boundary and is closed to the public. There is no entrance fee and no timed entry: you drive in from Thurmont on Route 77, park at the visitor centre, and walk. The trail network runs about 25 mi, from short rock-and-view loops to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock to longer ridge combinations; neighbouring Cunningham Falls State Park, with Maryland's tallest waterfall, is a separate park with its own fee. Crowds are a weekend and October problem, not a daily one.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1936Recreation demonstration area, later a national park unit; Camp David sits inside the boundary.
Size and age
23 km² (9 sq mi)9 sq mi (23 km²) · national park since 1936
About 5,800 acres of forest on the eastern slope of Catoctin Mountain; the boundary is shared with Cunningham Falls State Park (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Thurmont.
Why go
- Free entry and 25 mi of maintained trails, 70 mi from Washington and Baltimore.
- Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock and Hog Rock give ridge views from a loop you can finish in two hours.
- Old CCC-era cabins and stone work at Camp Misty Mount, open May–November.
- Quiet weekdays: most visitors come for the fall foliage and the summer weekends.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, ice on the rocks; many facilities closed
- FebCold; trails icy after storms
- MarMuddy; early wildflowers
- AprMild; dogwood and redbud
- MayGreen, comfortable; cabins open
- JunWarm; humid afternoons
- JulHot and humid; start early
- AugHot; thunderstorms build
- SepCooling; quiet weekdays
- OctFoliage peak; lots fill by 11:00Foliage peak; lots fill by 11:00 AM
- NovBare trees, long views; cabins close
- DecCold; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild turkey and forest birdsApr–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Spring wildflowersApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Fall foliage colourOct–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Washington, D.C.
I-270 north to Frederick, Route 15 north to Thurmont, Route 77 west about 3 mi, then right onto Park Central Road.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Baltimore
I-70 west to Frederick, then Route 15 north to Thurmont and Route 77 west.
1.5 h
From Frederick
Route 15 north to Thurmont, then Route 77 west to the visitor centre.
35 min
From Thurmont
Route 77 west about 3 mi to Park Central Road; no public transport into the park.
10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and Park Central Road | Information, maps, restrooms and the main trailheads. | Open with the park; no fee. |
| Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock ridge | The rocky viewpoints on the eastern ridge, reached by a loop from the visitor centre. | Open; steep and slippery when wet. |
| Owens Creek area | Campground, creek fishing and the northern trails. | Open; camping first-come, first-served. |
| Camp Misty Mount | CCC-era cabin group in the western woods. | Booked cabins only; open May–November. |
| Camp David | Presidential retreat inside the park boundary. | Closed to the public; no access and no photography. |
Sketch map
- 1Catoctin Mountain Park visitor centre · Headquarters≈39.640, -77.450Map ↗
- 2Chimney Rock · Viewpoint≈39.648, -77.466Map ↗
- 3Wolf Rock · Viewpoint≈39.642, -77.463Map ↗
- 4Hog Rock · Viewpoint≈39.636, -77.456Map ↗
- 5Owens Creek Campground · Sleep≈39.660, -77.479Map ↗
- 6Camp Misty Mount · Sleep≈39.642, -77.449Map ↗
- 7Thurmont · Town≈39.624, -77.411Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the visitor centre to Owens Creek, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee at Catoctin Mountain Park (check). |
| Owens Creek Campground | US$20 | site per night | First-come, first-served; no reservations (check). |
| Camp Misty Mount cabin | US$35–55 | cabin per night | Sleeps 3–6; weekend rate higher; open May–November (check). |
| Cunningham Falls State Park entry (neighbouring park) | US$3–5 | vehicle | Maryland state park fee; separate from Catoctin (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping at Owens Creek no permit
Camp Misty Mount cabins permit or guide
Fishing Big Hunting Creek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20
- US$35–55
- US$3–5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Catoctin Mountain Park before you go.
Park rules
- Camp David
- The presidential retreat is closed to visitors; do not approach the boundary or photograph security areas.
- Trail marking
- Trails are maintained but not blazed in the usual way; carry the park map and follow the numbered posts.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings at Owens Creek and Misty Mount; no backcountry fires.
- Pets
- Allowed on a leash on most trails; not in the cabin area or near Camp David.
- Fishing
- Maryland licence and trout stamp required on Big Hunting Creek; some sections are catch-and-release (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Owens Creek Campground
Tent and small RV sites, first-come, first-served, about $20 per night (check).
In the park
Camp Misty Mount
Cabins sleeping 3–6, about $35–55 per night, open May–November (check).
Near the park
Thurmont
Motels and inns 10 min from the visitor centre.
Near the park
Frederick
More hotels and restaurants, 35 min away.
Safety
Slippery rock at Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock medium
Summer heat and humidity medium
Thunderstorms medium
Hunting seasons low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, restrooms and some short paths are reachable by car with level access.
- The Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock trails are rocky and steep; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the trail; the ridge soils erode quickly.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are few bins on the trails.
- Park in marked lots only; roadside parking damages the verges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Catoctin Mountain Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee; you drive in and park free at the visitor centre and trailheads. Camping at Owens Creek is about $20 per night and Camp Misty Mount cabins about $35–55 per night (check).
What are the best hikes in Catoctin Mountain Park?
The 2.5 mi loop to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock from the visitor centre is the classic walk, with rocky steps and two ridge views. Hog Rock is the easier option, and the longer ridge combinations take 3–4 hours.
When is the best time to visit Catoctin Mountain Park?
May and October. May is green and comfortable; October has the foliage and the clearest views, but the parking lots fill by 11:00 on weekends. July and August are hot and humid, so start early.
Do I need a pass or reservation?
No pass and no reservation for day visits. Cabins at Camp Misty Mount must be booked ahead; Owens Creek campsites are first-come, first-served.
Can I visit Camp David?
No. Camp David is a working presidential retreat inside the park boundary and is closed to the public; do not approach the security areas.
How do I get there without a car?
It is difficult. There is no public transport into the park; most visitors drive from Washington, Baltimore or Frederick via Thurmont and Route 77.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go