catoctin mountain park

We enjoyed a couple days of hiking the trails and appreciated the helpful suggestions and recommendations of the rangers. We were briefly lost on a trail that was not well-marked, but were able to guide ourselves and another lost couple back to the course. Both easy and challenging trails offer opportunities for multiple hiking levels.

This is a great stopping place!! It's got a nice visitor center. It's a little small but it's got a few interesting exhibits. The ranger was very nice and helpful. It's a beautiful park with LOTS of hiking trails.

Husband is always finding great little hikes to break up our trips. One, it is healthy and two, it is fun! This was no different! The visitor center is staffed by very knowledgeable people. The displays are fresh and insightful. We were very impressed with all the details provided about the area.The very short hike to the old whiskey still is easy but very pretty. We visited in December, no leaves on the trees and muddy but it was still just beautiful. We also did the Chimney Rock hike which was a little longer but It provided for some great views.It is easy to get in and out of this area and the visitor center is very kid friendly (not that we have kids but we did see a lot of little humans around)!

When there's a layer of leaves on the ground, it's hard to see where the trail is. I don't believe there are blazes along the trail.

This is a great park for hiking and enjoying the scenery. Friends and I spent a lovely November Sunday exploring Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock and taking in the views and the fall colors. This is an easy drive from DC, just about an hour in good traffic. The park rangers at the visitor center were extremely helpful and gave great advice about the trails, as well.

Very peaceful quiet place to take a walk in the woods. Nice trails. Easy drive from Gettysburg, PA. Take time to see the Visitor's Center and get a trail map. A few historic sites are nearby and within. Visit the website before you go to help plan your trip.

My wife and I like to drive through colorful areas in the fall for leaf peeping. We have been to Catoctin before and really liked it. We went today (Saturday, 18 October 2014) and it was good, but not the best we have seen there in past years. Basically, we were probably a week late. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the drive on local roads and on park roads.It was obvious that there were a lot of people parked at the many trail heads for camping, picnicing and/or hiking. The visitor center lot was over flowing.

It's about 5 miles but there is nothing really remarkable except a few vistas in a couple of spots. The forest is beautiful though. The signage could be much better as we almost got lost at some point. The visitors center should always be referenced in the arrows along the way, in my opinion.The falls were packed and people were completely disregarding the warnings forbidding to walk on the rocks which I thought ridiculous.

My wife and I stayed at Owens Creek campground in a small pop-up (no hookups) for a Sunday to Saturday camp. The site was wooded, near the creek and peaceful. The facilities were clean when we arrived late Sunday but no one cleaned the bathrooms for the first 2 days we were there. The good news was that there were only a few of us in the park. Kudos to the families of campers who arrived on our last night (a Friday). The park was as quiet that night as any. We visited throughout the park. Easy hikes and beautiful scenery. Wood is available for campfires. Thurmont or Smithburg are nearby for groceries. It you have a Verizon contract then you are in luck as it gives you great connection in most areas of the park. We even watched a US World Cup match on our phone. While the park is full of things to do, you have the added bonus of being about equidistant to both Antietam and Gettysburg, about a half hour drive away in opposite directions. We definitely enjoyed the trip and have already booked for June of 2015. There is Harper's Ferry, more hiking and a couple of vineyards left to be explored.

We booked a site online for Owens Creek campground, based upon the knowledge that a friend had stayed there recently. We were looking for a quiet campground, primarily one for tenting.Owens Creek fit the bill exactly. The fee per site is $25.00.Reservations can be made online, but we found that we did not need one in the middle of the week, even in a prime weather week in June. We stayed in site #15 (there are about 50 sites total). Since there were so many vacant sites, we drove around to see if we wanted to change to another location, but we decided to stay where we started. First of all, the whole area is really nicely wooded, with large poplars and other trees. The screening between sites is excellent. There are two bath houses in the campground. The one nearest us (across from Site 18) did not have a shower, but the toilet facilities were clean and well maintained. The other bath house, not far away, is next to where the campground host was located; it had one shower stall. [Another option is the very nice bath house at the beach at nearby Cunningham Falls State Park, where there are many showers with doors that close, benches, and adjustable showers]. Each site has a tent pad, which is made of timber borders and is filled with gravel topped with wood chips. For Site #15, the tent pad was a few steps below the main part of the site where the picnic table was located, which made for even more privacy.I would avoid Site #18, which is right next to the septic field below the bath house.Wood is available for $5.00 per bucket. There is an outside water tap at the bathroom building, and there is also a separate utility sink area, so dishwashing can be done easily. There were a couple of handicapped tent sites near the wood shed area.

We had two adjacent campsites for a Fathers day family get together. All Family Adults.We started out to do the short Owens creek hike before dinner but went straight rather then cross the river. (no maps) We ended up doing 4 miles by the time we go back to camp. Not a problem as it was still light. We did another hike the next morning. As you will find out wood for burning is bought at camp, its covered and a great deal. Be sure to pickup up a box of fire starters and you will be in great shape. An ax or knife to make kindling is also useful. I had a little blow touch which helped also. Facilities were clean. Camp was clean, There were nice camp tenders (Jim) in space #10 that answered all questions. We will definitely go back.

We spent an early June weekend camping at Owen's Creek Campground and doing a bit of hiking in the Catoctin Mountain park. The campground is well maintained. The bath houses are basic, but clean. Each has one men's and one women's shower. The campground is fully wooded, which provided lots of great shade but also meant that everything was covered in droplets of sap from the trees. Each site has a tent pad, which is basically a wooden frame with mulch. The next time, we might take a garden rake to flatten out the surface a bit for a more even sleeping surface. The park is pet-friendly, and our dog had a great time.

We went tent camping with 2 other families (total 6 kids 6 adults) at Owen's Creek Campground. Smaller campground so not too crowded. Bath house could use some attention, but worked. Not very clean but functional. I did notice quite a few handicap accessible camp sites - they clean and easily accessible and close to the rest rooms. We hiked and fished around Owen's Creek. Ventured into Cunningham Falls State park and spend the day at the beach lake. Large grassy area, concession stand, restrooms, smaller sandy beach and roped swimming area. We rented a paddle boat and a canoe for $15/hr each. Nice, no frills, family outdoor weekend.

We have spent many weekends at Camp Airy in Catoctin Mountain Park with both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The park is in a beautiful setting with many trails. Be aware that Camp David is located within the park and if you are planning on going I would check the President's Itinerary for the time of your travel as access is limited. But, don't let that keep you from going if he isn't going to be in residence at Camp David.

On a journey between Gettysburg and Antietam the GPS took us over the mountains and through this beautiful scenic route. The park is worth a stop. Go this way and avoid the freeways for a breathtaking view of the mountains, streams, and natural setting. The roads can be narrow and winding so be careful and watch out for farm tractors which we came across one in this very rural setting. There are no passing lanes and the up and downhills can be steep. The tractor was in our lane so going the speed limit is always best anywhere but especially here. A bus would find it hard to navigate here. A van could do it and car is the best means to get there and see it. A pristine setting worth the drive.