Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

Well-maintained camp area offers year-round camping and hiking.  Water is available all year long, but bathhouses are closed off-season.  Portable facilities are available during winter camping.

Beware: The sites on the lower side of the road (mostly even numbered) are pretty level. The ones on the upper side of the road (mostly odd numbered) are short and have a lot of slope due to run-off when it rains. We are a 30’ class C, and there was no way we were ever going to get level! Spent one night on site 19 with the front wheels 10” in the air & we were still a good 6” short of level!

Nice, level, spacious site. Easy access to potable water and a reasonably clean bathhouse. It was crowded but the campground is very wooded so I did not feel a lack of privacy.

We only booked for one night. But we loved this campground so much that we added an extra night. Very close to Gettysburg (25 mins) and hiking at the falls. Sites were level and shaded. Bathrooms were very clean - and had lots of hooks in the shower room.

Deer Spring Loop is near the top of the mountain.

This is not a pet friendly loop.

Site 112 is level, mostly shaded, backs up to the woods and has electric.

The site is between two cabins. Not a problem except the cabins were empty and the ac was running. Noisy and kind of wasteful.

There are lots of good hiking trails in the park. It’s a nice walk to the lake. Note that the hike back is 2/3 uphill.

They sell ice at the camp entrance, which is nice.

The bathrooms were moderately clean and had plenty of hot water.

I was not aware that there was a camp host until the third morning as I was readying to leave. I approached another camp to ask a question and they said they were the “camp hosts”.

Campground is beautiful nestled in the hills of Catoctin Mountain. Only 30 minutes north of Frederick. There is a lot of beautiful trails in the area and a man-made lake with two swimming area beaches. The last couple years they have had issues with Alge and have low lake levels. Good for kayaking paddle boarding and small children swimming.

Es un lugar muy organizado y limpio, tiene todos los servicios en orden. Personalmente prefiero lugares mas silvestres, pero es un buen lugar para 1 noche.

Loved this campground for the scenery during leaf peeping season. Our site was level and well separated from others, though it was small. Friends joined us and set up a tent next to our RV trailer. We hiked to the falls but with little rain, there was no falls. A very crowded hike with people everywhere. Bath house was a standard state park building. The Colorfest festival is usually the weekend we went which is why we booked this park on that weekend but with covid it was cancelled.

We enjoyed our campsite and the bathrooms were very clean. Only one trail leading out. Ground is all gravel so bring a mat. Also VERY close to highway 15 so we heard traffic and j-breaks and motorcycles all night.

I stayed at Cuningham Falls State Park a few weeks ago and the campground was very good with lots to do hikes, swimming etc. But last night I stayed at same state forest but 4 miles away the Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area.  I haven't seen this much space between campsites in a long time.  The place was clean, paved roads, great price and very quiet.  If you have kids or like to talk to other people go to the original campground but if you perfer quiet and your own little piece of the woods go to the Manor Area.  It was August 1st and the bugs were minimal and there is a visitor station and aviary but I wasn't able to see them.

Perfect site for the family or if you just want to be out for the night. The hike to the falls is not too far and the lake is nearby too. Really close to Route 15 so you can grab everything you need on the way or run out really quick if you forgot something!

We stayed in the Bear Branch Loop of the William Houch Camping Area.  This is a lovely area if you're a beginner camper or just looking for the glamping experience.  The sites are small and not very private but are well defined.  It's very clear where to park, set up the tent etc.  The park itself is very scenic with nice hiking trails and a lake to enjoy.  I was there in the fall so didn't go out on the water but can imagine it would be popular during the warmer months.

This is a great place to stop in that it is close to Camp David (historically presidential location). Make sure to drive slowly, as the road to get there is very curvy and somewhat steep grade (if driving eastbound. Recommend using fog lights.

This camping area is the smaller of the two at Cunningham Falls, the other being the five loops at the Hauck Area. The Manor Area is a single loop, originally all first-come, first-served, but eventually succumbed to requiring reservations. While being farther away from the falls themselves, it's closer to Catoctin Furnace, about a 15 minute hike away from the camping loop. Also being a single loop, there's fewer people around to trip over and make noise in general.

I have camped here many times with family and friends, and am looking forward to going back soon! It's also just down the road from Pryor's Orchard, where you can get fresh fruit, corn, comb honey, and jarred jams, jellies & fruit butters (McCutcheon's).

We liked camping here and plan to eventually return. Our experience was rainy, but it was fun regardless. Nice park with hike to the waterfalls, swimming in the lake and playground. Bathroom facilities were fine and clean enough, but not the best of state park facilities I've seen.

Great park! Well cared for and perfect for a family get away.

Cell service doesn’t work, electric hook ups only. This state park is beautiful and off the grid! We love hiking to the falls, swimming in the lake, visiting Misty Meadow farm and creamery, and relaxing! Camp store stocks supplies with limited hours. Bathrooms are clean, enough. Camp hosts are friendly. During peak season, there are nature programs going on.

We love going to Cunningham falls annually, however, it books up quickly during peak season! There’s a lake, boating, playgrounds, hike to the falls. So much scenery and nature. The electric “A loop” is paved so it’s great for bike riding. The bathhouse is just a short walk away. The sites are wooden but you can still see your neighbors.

Gorgeous area but not a lot around there

Went for a short weekend in early September. Very few people. Camp lot was small and mostly crushed stone ( not great for tents). Not much play area for kids around campsite except the road. O and big hairy spiders in shower. Camp staff can’t control the spiders but there were a bunch. The ranger was very nice and even personally told us of the thunderstorms approaching.

Site was very shaded, and quite secluded. Camping pad was nice and level, although the driveway was slightly sloped. Nice amount of space in between sites. Very short walk to bathhouse. Campground was relatively empty our first night (Thurs), but filled up the next day. Still, heard hardly any noises from our neighbors. Camp hosts were very friendly, and came over to introduce themselves and go over park info shortly after we checked in. Bath house was centrally located. Pretty average as far as cleanliness goes, but everything worked, and the showers were hot. Great recycled tire playground, and awesome nature center w/ turtles and various birds of prey on site in the Manor Area. If you head over to the Houck Area of the park (about a 15-20 min drive), you’ll find the lake, falls, and another campground. The Houck area definitely tends to be more crowded. I can’t speak to the campground, but the lake is nice, and the falls are beautiful. The hike up wasn’t too strenuous, either; my husband, dog, and 5-year-old handled it just fine. Overall, this is a great park. Beautiful, wooded setting, and secluded, spacious sites. Would definitely stay in the Manor area again. Houck area is very nice, but a little too crowded for me, especially with summer traffic to get into the lake area.

Cunningham Falls has a nice set of trails that range from easy to moderate. The park is kid and dog friendly. Campsites are a little small and signage could be better, but restrooms are clean and the Rangers are very helpful.