Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

Stayed here for Labor Day weekend and had a great time. Clean, well-maintained camp sites, well-stocked and friendly service at the camp store. My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids, because the roped-in part of the swimming lake only gets a few feet deep so you don't have to worry too much about them getting in over their heads. Bathroom and shower facilities were fine, and had a big sink you could use for cleaning/dishwashing.

The only downsides for us were that the campsites were relatively small, and close together. A couple campsites down from us was a big group that stayed up late socializing one night and we could hear them very clearly from our tent. And, while the swimming lake is great, it is crowded and you have to drive from the campsite to it (note that you do not need to wait in the long line of cars in the general public trying to get in, we just drove past them and showed the guard our camping receipt confirmation and got waved right through), and the parking fills up pretty early in the morning so you could end up without a spot. Similarly, the hike to the falls was a little crowded and underwhelming -- you also have to drive to that and park, and parking at the trailhead is very limited. 

The bottom line for us was that it's crowded enough that you do not really feel like you are out "in nature," but, especially with small kids, all the amenities and recreation make up for it.

This is our 2nd time to this campground. Last time was in the fall season so this time we tried Spring time. Spring offers more water at the falls themselves and no leaves on trees yet. Your privacy between sites is less but sites are spaced pretty well. All sites state they are good for up to 30 ft. but several would fit up to 40 ft RVs. Site 1 would easily fit a 40 ft RV. If you’re not sure, call the campground and ask. Hosts were very nice. The closest town is Thurmont which is small but quaint. There are a few vineyards and breweries nearby. Gettysburg, PA is close as is Frederick, MD. Our site was level and had a good view of the woods. Family was staying in site next to us, site 12. We were in 14. Perfect as a buddy site with a short little path between. Watch for the burrs that cling to your dog if he has longer or curly hair! Hike to falls was easy if you go to parking lot and use the easier trail. Or you can walk from camp loop which is a longer and rocky, steep hike. There is a lake with a beach. Fishing was good. Small camp store had a few items.

We had spot #10 booked from Thursday through Sunday. Unfortunately we arrived Friday evening around dinner time and lost a whole day of our long weekend due to RV issues along the way there, but ended up having a really nice weekend despite the ugly start to it. Nice secure park and really love that there is someone at the gate to check you in until 10pm! Very nice in case you have any issues or concerns. The camp host here is on the ball as well and greeted us upon arrival to make sure we had everything we needed and gave us some extra info. All of our neighbors were super friendly and quiet. I loved our spot for our 32’ CClass. It was very well maintained, level, beautifully shaded and a nice path straight back to the bathhouse. It had a nice fire ring, table and lantern hook. We took the trails Saturday with our six year old to the falls and then from there hiked to the beach where we spent two hours. The water was perfectly warm and our son enjoyed playing there very much. It was nice that there were shady spots to lay in addition to full sun spots. We then hiked back to the campground. It wasn’t the easiest of hikes if you’re not in great shape but we took our time. I would recommend having backpacks filled with plenty of water and snacks if you have kids and wearing the proper footwear! My sons Crocks were a “mom fail”. Really a beautiful hike through the woods, pretty falls where you can cool off if you choose, get in the refreshing lake and have another gorgeous hike back and see some wildlife too!! The weather was not horrible during the day unless you were in full sun and it rained pretty hard at night while we were sleeping. We will be adding this park to our re-visit list for sure. Easy two hour drive from Blair County, Pa.

We were so excited to come to Cunningham Falls State Park for the first time. It was a short drive from home and heard great things about the park. I do have to say that the location lived up to my expectations! The falls and hiking we’re beautiful and not too intense that my children could complete the hikes along with us. They do have some more difficult hiking that my husband found, which he really enjoyed. Biggest drawback was on arrival to Addison loop we were greeted by Barney Fife himself, the camp host, that made me never want to come back. He was rude, overbearing and visited our site multiple times reprimanding us and constantly barking rules (as reminders not because we were doing anything wrong!) we have years of experience camping and never have I been babysat so closely. Him and his wife were annoying which is not why we travel to the woods to get away.

Bathroom and shower facilities were mediocre large cracks in the fiberglass leaking water but they did provide an area to wash dishes. There are paths to the bathroom through many sites so people walk through your site to get to the bathhouse. Also poison ivy everywhere.

The beach area at the lake was fantastic! My kids loved it plenty of areas to grill and dogs are allowed. Most of the time we did not spend at the campsite so we ended up having a fantastic weekend. 

I LOVE Catoctin Mountain Park in general!! The trails are well-kept and the scenery remains as natural as possible (I hate it when you go to some parks and it looks forced or man-made).

The Houck area is pretty wide-spread with sites ranging from dispersed walk-in to camping by the lake. There’s pretty much something for everyone.

But, let’s talk about the lake for a sec... Hunting Creek Lake is a 75 acre man-made lake near Cunningham Falls. Ironically, all the streams and creeks in the area couldn’t make a sufficient lake, therefore one was created. It’s labeled as great for boating, kayaking, and fishing. There were even paddle boats available. It’s quite picturesque from the get-go.

But, once we got in, I have to admit I was thoroughly disgusted. I love swimming in natural water features, but this kinda creeped me out. There was all sorts of algae and growth in the water. We would hit pockets of cold and warm water, which felt like you were walking through someone’s urine — there wasn’t much circulation or movement of the water, so it gets stagnant-feeling. Not to mention the abrupt drop-off when you enter into the lake. Nothing natural feeling about this place.

I give the park 5 stars, but the lake only gets 3, if that.

Cunningham Falls State Park - Houck Area, (http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/cunningham.aspx) is pretty big and has much to offer...but part of the beauty is it is literally 5 miles down the road from Catoctin Mountain Park, a National Park Service with additional trails to enjoy.

Nestled away in the Catoctin Mountains, it lands further away from Camp David, so the likelihood of it being negatively affected during dignitary or presidential visits is slim. Unlike the trails at Catoctin Mountain Park which will see closings.

There are 149 sites to choose from, yes...149...in five different loops that continue to wind their way up the mountain. There are very few electric sites on the three lower loops, the fourth loop is all electric sites, but water is relegated to water spigots...3 to 4 spaced out in each loop. Be mindful that on some loops, one side of the upper loop can look down onto some of the sites on the lower loop... but they are spaced out. There is some ground cover between sites but you still have line of sight with your neighbors. There are also Camper Cabins available too. Each site provides a picnic table and fire ring. Gathering downed firewood is permitted.

They also permit up to 6 people and two tents on a site...a rarity indeed!

Showerhouse/Restrooms are placed in the middle of each loop and are modern facilities. Fairly clean and maintained. Electric outlets are a plus.

This campground is pet friendly...must be leashed and not permitted on the sandy beach area during season. Cell service was fairly consistent.

Unlike the National Park Campground a few miles down the road, Cunningham Falls State Park requires you to pass through a staffed office at the entrance and a gate.

The 43 acre Hunting Creek Lake offers great (and busy weekend) fishing. Trolling motors are permitted, but ideal for paddling.

There are plenty of trails, including the Catoctin Trail, but all the trails I was on do not permit biking.

Another big draw is Cunningham Falls itself. The trail is an easy six mile loop to and from the falls.

This is a very busy campground and I was advised it normally sells out on weekends, so securing a site in advance is wise.