Catoctin Mountain Park

Description:

• The National Park Service and the Maryland State Forest and Park Service preserve the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains in Maryland. Nearly 6,000 acres give the public and our nation's highest public officials an outdoor haven for refreshment and relaxation. Catoctin Mountain encompasses both federal and state land. Camp David, the Presidential retreat and Cunningham Falls State Park provide outstanding recreation.

  Park trails are available for nearly every purpose. Hog Rock, Browns Farm, and Deerfield Nature Trails are self-guiding and nature-oriented and have leaflets at the trailheads. A horse trail is open from April 15 to December 1st. Also, Park Central Road is closed for 2.5 miles from the visitor center for winter recreation mid-December to mid-March.

  As you explore the park, notice the varied plant life. You will find chestnut oak, hickory, black birch, and a scattering of other trees. Look to the old mountain valleys now covered with black locust, wild cherry, sassafras, and yellow poplar, and look to the moist areas for red oak, beech, hemlock and ash.

  The mountain park is located in Thurmont, Maryland, along Highway 15. It lies in northern Maryland east of Hagerstown and southeast of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.