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Catoctin Mountain Park |
Description:
In the 1930's, after years of making charcoal to fuel the iron furnace, mountain farming, and harvesting of trees for timber, land was purchased to be transformed into a productive recreation area; helping to put people back to work during the great depression. Beginning in 1935, the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area was under construction by both the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally planned to provide recreational camps for federal employees, one of the camps eventually became the home of the Presidential retreat, Camp David. The Presidential retreat is not open or accessible to the public, but the eastern hardwood forest of Catoctin Mountain Park has many other attractions for visitors: camping, picnicking, fishing, 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic mountain vistas, all await your exploration.
Designations:
Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area (November 14, 1936)
Catoctin Area part of National Capital Park System (December 4, 1945)
Catoctin Mountain Park (July 12, 1954)
Accessibility:
The park Visitor Center is fully accessible and two trails, the Spicebush Nature Trail and the Sawmill Trail. Please refer to our expanded web pages for more information.
Getting Around:
Since there is no public transportation to or within Catoctin Mountain Park, a vehicle is necessary. Most of the hiking trails are accessed from the park Visitor Center.
Activites:
Camping | Climbing | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Wildlife Viewing | Bird Watching | Cross Country Skiing | Snowshoeing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Lodging | Picnic Areas | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | Cabin Rentals | And more.
Nature: Bears | Mountains | And more.
Directions to Catoctin Mountain Park
Plane:
Catoctin Mountain Park is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Dullas International Ariport in Northern Virginia, approximately 1 1/2 hours from Regan National Airport in Washington, DC, and approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Baltimore/Washington International Airport near Baltimore, MD.
Car:
In MD from Route 15 North, exit onto Route 77 West. Go approximately 3 miles, turn Right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
From Hagerstown, MD, take Route 77 East. Turn left onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
From Gettysburg, PA, take Route 15 south, exit onto Route 77 West, go approximately 3 miles, turn right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to or in Catoctin Mountain Park.
Attractions:
Cunningham Falls State Park
Tourism Council of Frederick County
Washington County Hagerstown, MD
Nearby Parks:
Antietam National Battlefield (26 miles)
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (28 miles)
Eisenhower National Historic Site (20 miles)
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (37 miles)
Monocacy National Battlefield (18 miles)
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
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Contact Information for Catoctin Mountain Park
6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD
21788-1598
Phone: 301-663-9388
Fax: 301-271-2764
Located in Thurmont, MD
For more information on Catoctin Mountain Park
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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Virginia Road Maps (VA Maps)
Virginia Photos