Established Camping
Adirondack Shelters — Catoctin Mountain Park
Adirondack Shelters in Catoctin Mountain Park are surrounded by forested terrain with rolling hills. The area experiences temperature highs around 85°F in summer and lows near 20°F in winter. Visitors can explore nearby Cunningham Falls State Park and the historic Catoctin Furnace.
Description
National Park Service
Catoctin Mountain Park
Overview
The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provide a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape.
Recreation
The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. Watching birds (aka "birding") is a popular form of wildlife observation. Catoctin offers a 25-mile (40 km) hiking trail system, fishing, picnicking, and frontcountry cabins and campgrounds in addition to the more primitive Adirondack shelters.
Facilities
This is a rustic backcountry area with no vehicle access or potable water. There is one pit toilet shared between the two shelters. Campers must carry adequate drinking water and supplies and pack trash out at the conclusion of their stay. The two shelters are several hundred feet apart, making them close enough for groups to use both, but far enough away to offer privacy. The sites are available year-round and can accommodate five campers. Tents or temporary structures are not permitted inside the shelters or surrounding area. Campfire rings are provided.
Natural Features
Located about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park lies within the mountainous Blue Ridge Province of north-central Maryland. Scenic overlooks extend across the Monocacy Valley.
Nearby Attractions
Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling. Or tour historic Camp Misty Mount, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Fee Info
Shelters are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made through recreation.gov online and $10 if made at recreation.govs call center, (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international) 10 a.m. 12 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone).
Location
Adirondack Shelters — Catoctin Mountain Park is located in Maryland
Directions
Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 miles (8 km) to Foxville Road. Turn right and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area.You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of 3 miles (4.8 km).GPS coordinates for Shelter #1 are 39 40' 37.8001\" N 77 29' 3.8000\" WShelter #2 is nearby (visible from) Shelter #1.Hikers: protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing the shelters or other park features. Obtain trail maps at the park Visitor Center or download them from the Catoctin Mountain Park Hiking web page. Hilly terrain and the forest canopy can prevent satellite signals from reaching your unit increasing the importance of a back-up strategy.
Address
Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
Coordinates
39.64435358 N
77.48606697 W
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Fires
