Cunningham Falls
14039 Catoctin Hollow Road Thurmont, MD 21788
8 a.m. to Sunset, April-October 10 a.m. to Sunset, November-March
$$
swim, camping, water-activities, outdoor-adventures, hikes
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Don't miss the opportunity to check out Cunningham Falls when you're in the area!
Cunningham Falls is divided into two sections: The William Houck Area and The Manor Area. The William Houck area is home to Cunningham Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland. Families can use the Lower Trail or the Cliff Trail to get to the falls. The Lower Trail is the easier of the two with a .5 mile uphill hike. The Cliff trail is a bit longer (.75 miles) and more strenuous. After hiking, families can relax at the lake area. The sandy lakeside of Hunting Creek Lake provides areas for visitors to swim as well as to rent paddle boats. (Note: The William Houck area can fill to capacity when the weather is nice. Arrive early to ensure a space).
The Manor Area of the park is home to the aviary and nature center. The aviary houses some amazing birds of prey, including owls, hawks and a bald eagle. The park provides care and refuge to these animals that cannot be returned to the wild. The Manor Area is also home to a very nice playground that appears to have been recently updated. If you still have the energy to hike, the Manor area provides access to a few different options. The Catoctin Furnace Trail is a .25 mile hike that will take families to Catoctin Furnace where iron was produced starting in the mid 18th century. The Bob’s Hill Trail is a strenuous 1.5-mile hike that would be good for families that are looking for more of a workout!
If you’d like to camp, the William Houck area offers 106 basic sites, 33 sites with electric hook-up, and some small cabins from April through October. The Manor Area has 21 basic sites and 10 sites with electric hook-up that are available year-round (limited services available November 1 through March 31.)