State Parks and National Parks

Cunningham Falls State Park

This park, located across Route 77 from the national Catoctin Mountain Park, is named for a 78-foot waterfall that cascades into a rocky gorge.

The waterfall is located in the park's William Houck Area on Catoctin Hollow Road, off Route 77 west of Thurmont. Another recreation area at the 4,946-acre park is the Manor Area, on U.S Route 15.

A 3,500-acre designated wildlands area connects the two recreation sites. The rocky, wooded terrain is ideal habitat for rattlesnakes and copperheads, so hikers should be cautious.

The Manor Area features 31 seasonal campsites, a playground made from recycled tires, a seasonal visitors center, picnic shelter, a trout fishing stream and other day use facilities.

Interpretive exhibits in the visitors center depict the 220-year-old Catoctin Furnace, which was an active iron foundry until 1903. The furnace is on Route 806 south, off Route 15.

The William Houck Area features a 42-acre lake popular with anglers, boaters and swimmers. Big Hunting Creek, shared by the state and federal park, is a designated catch-and-release stream for fly fishing only.

Also at the Houck Area are nine camper cabins and 140 campsites. Other amenities include a store, fast-food stand (at the beach) and dumping station.

Counting both the state and federal parks, there are more than 50 miles of hiking-only trails winding through the woods and along the streams of the Catoctin Mountains. The Catoctin Trail, which extends to Gambrill State Park in Frederick, also provides access to the Appalachian Trail.

Photo credits in order: Copyright 1996 by Richard H. Miller, courtesy of Cunningham Falls State Park. Copyright 1996 by Richard H. Miller, courtesy of Cunningham Falls State Park. Copyright 1996 by Cunningham Falls State Park.