Gambrill State Park

Description:

• Gambrill State Park encompasses 1,137 acres in Frederick County, offering scenic overlooks affording splendid views of the historic countryside. The park is divided into two separate areas providing recreational facilities and activities for visitors of all ages. The Rock Run area is located at the park entrance. The High Knob area is located at the top of Catoctin Mountain.

  The park offers 13 miles of woodland trail, all beginning at the Trailhead Parking Lot on the east side of Gambrill Park Road, about halfway up the mountain between the Rock Run area and the High Knob area, on the right side of the road. All trails, except the 27-mile multi-park Catoctin Trail, are loop trails, and return to the Trailhead Lot. All trails, except the White Oak Trail, are open for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A wide variety of birds, wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs can be viewed along these trails. Leashed pets are allowed on all trails.

  A small pond, located in the Rock Run area is popular with anglers. The most common catches include largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

  Gambrill State Park is located within both Washington and Frederick Counties a mere 51 miles northwest of Washington, DC, 53 miles west of Baltimore, and 6 miles northwest of Frederick, on Catoctin Mountain. A one-mile road from U.S. Highway 40 leads to the park.