Trails in Catoctin Mountain Park

Adirondack Access Trails

0.2 mi one way · 1,441 ft–1,460 ft · native surface · hiking

Campgrounds

Along the way Adirondack Shelters Camping Area

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Gateway Trail

1.1 mi one way · about 400 ft of climbing · 549 ft–985 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailhead Gateway Trailhead 568 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-1 Chimney Rock/Wolf Rock Trail

3.3 mi one way · about 1,000 ft of climbing · 823 ft–1,513 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailheads Chimney Rock / Wolf Rock Trailhead 1,138 ft Drive there · Visitor Center Trailhead 933 ft Drive there

8-Mile Loop Trail the Park Service's write-up

4-6 Hours · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall

Start 8-Mile Loop

Visit All of the East Side

This loop is a combination of all of the three major loops in the park and completes an 8.5 mile loop. The loop makes a complete circle back to any of these access points. While hiking this loop visitors will experience Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, Blue Ridge Summit, Thurmont Vista, Wolf Rock, and Chimney Rock. This loop combines moderate and strenuous trails for a great day of hiking. Smaller trail loops can be incoporated on this lager loop to extend the hike.

Please use caution when walking along rock surfaces. These areas can be slippery. Closely supervise children at all times. Watch for rattlesnakes in the areas of Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock. Wolf Rock, Chimney Rock, & Hog Rock formations are pet free areas.

Accessibility Chimney Rock Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible. Thurmont Vista Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible. Hog Rock Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible. Cunningham Falls Nature Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible.

This hike on nps.gov

Hike to the Falls and Hog Rock: The Yellow Blazed Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-4 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Yellow Loop Trail

Visit Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, & Blue Ridge Summit

This trail provides hikers the opportunity to experience the majesty of Cunningham Falls cascading down 78 feet, and the mountain vistas from Hog Rock and Blue Ridge Summit., completing a 4.6 mile loop.

Marked by a yellow blaze, this trail varies in difficulty from moderate to strenuous, circling across the mountainside through the thick second growth forests and impressive geological formations. The viewpoints from the highest summits in the park are well worth the hike.

Accessibility The Yellow Loop Trail is not wheelchair Accessible. Handicap Parking is available at the boardwalk to the base of Cunningham Falls off of MD Rt. 77

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

TR-12 Catoctin National Recreation Trail

1.2 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 350 ft of descent · 1,349 ft–1,721 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

TR-12 Catoctin National Recreation Trail (Horses Permited)

2.7 mi one way · about 800 ft of climbing · 1,213 ft–1,613 ft · native surface · hiking, horse

Trailhead Catoctin NRT at Owens Creek Campground 1,214 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-13 Spicebush Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 60 ft of climbing · 1,696 ft–1,742 ft · asphalt surface · hiking

Picnic areas

Along the way Chestnut Picnic Area

Trailhead Spicebush Nature Trailhead 1,696 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-14 Horse Trail

4.9 mi one way · about 850 ft of climbing · 1,269 ft–1,740 ft · native surface · hiking, horse

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

TR-15 Browns Farm Trail

1.1 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 1,304 ft–1,516 ft · native surface · hiking

CampgroundsPicnic areas

Along the way Camp Round Meadow Owens Creek Picnic Area

Trailheads Browns Farm Trailhead at Camp Round Meadow 1,516 ft Drive there · Browns Farm Trailhead at Owens Creek Picnic Area 1,325 ft Drive there · Catoction NRT Trailhead at Owens Creek Picnic Area 1,314 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-16 Sawmill Trail

0.5 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 1,232 ft–1,424 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailhead Saw Mill Trailhead 1,235 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-17 Deerfield Nature Trail

0.5 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,298 ft–1,448 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailhead Deerfield Nature Trailhead 1,321 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-2 Crows Nest Trail

1.5 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 700 ft of descent · 674 ft–1,215 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

TR-3 Cunningham Falls Trail

1.1 mi one way · about 350 ft of climbing · 924 ft–1,250 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailheads Blue Blazes Still Trailhead 919 ft Drive there · Falls Nature Trailhead 922 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-4 Whiskey Still Trail

0.9 mi one way · about 250 ft of climbing · 921 ft–1,146 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailheads Blue Blazes Still Trailhead 919 ft Drive there · Falls Nature Trailhead 922 ft Drive there

Hike to Chimney Rock: The Orange Blazed Trail the Park Service's write-up

2-4 Hours · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall

Start Chimney Rock

Visit Chimney Rock

Along every hill and in every bend in the trail, a new experience, a new beauty, a new connection to Nature, waits for you at Catoctin Mountain Park. This semi-strenuous trail begins and ends at the East Corner of the paved parking area by the Visitor Center. The hike is 3.9 miles round trip and provides stunning views of the mountains from the top of Chimney Rock.

This loop is the most strenuous trail in our park as the trail is steep, narrow and at times can be slippery. The actual trail at times can be hard to identify so follow the map closely; it is designated by an orange blaze. A trail map and compass are advised. This trail features two of the most well known rock formations at Catoctin Mountain Park: Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock. Each of these rock formations are great places to stop and enjoy lunch or just take in the scenery. Chimney Rock reaches a maximum elevation of 1419 ft and Wolf Rock has an elevation of 1401 ft.

Accessibility Chimney Rock Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible. Spicebush Trail This quarter-mile interpretive trail is wheelchair-accessible with a natural-looking specially bonded WoodCarpet® that is firm and stable. The trailhead is in the Chestnut picnic area. Accessible parking and two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables connect to the trail. Restrooms are within 200'. Historic Camp Greentop, known for its tradition of serving children with disabilities, is also very close. Spicebush Trail Map (pdf 71kb)

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

TR-5 Blue Ridge Summit Trail

2.1 mi one way · about 450 ft of climbing · 948 ft–1,558 ft · native surface · hiking

Views

Along the way Blue Ridge Summit Overlook

Trailheads Blue Ridge Summit Trailhead 1,541 ft Drive there · Hog Rock Trailhead 1,541 ft Drive there · Visitor Center Trailhead 933 ft Drive there

Hike to Thurmont Vista: The Pink Blazed Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Thurmont Vista Loop

Visit Thurmont Vista

A climb to the summit of a mountain is always an energizing experience. The Thurmont Vista Loop, designated by a pink blaze, takes hikers through a moderate uphill and downhill trail network along the ridge for 2.5 miles. The maximum elevation reached on this trail/loop is at the Thurmont Vista Overlook with an elevation of 1499 feet.

Accessibility Thurmont Vista Trail This trail is not wheelchair accessible.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

TR-6 Charcoal Trail

0.6 mi loop · about 30 ft of climbing · 1,251 ft–1,299 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailheads Charcoal Trailhead 1,282 ft Drive there · Thurmont Vista Trailhead 1,286 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-7 Thurmont Vista Trail

1.2 mi one way · about 250 ft of climbing · 1,289 ft–1,541 ft · native surface · hiking

Views

Along the way Thurmont Vista

Trailheads Charcoal Trailhead 1,282 ft Drive there · Thurmont Vista Trailhead 1,286 ft Drive there

On the parks map

TR-9 Hog Rock Nature Trail

0.5 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 60 ft of descent · 1,616 ft–1,673 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

TR-9 Hog Rock Trail

1.4 mi one way · about 550 ft of climbing · 1,198 ft–1,651 ft · native surface · hiking

Trailheads Blue Ridge Summit Trailhead 1,541 ft Drive there · Hog Rock Trailhead 1,541 ft Drive there

On the parks map