Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park

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.

Quiet Getaway

Camp next to the president. This park is located next to Camp David where the POTUS used to go for vacations to give there security detail a break unlike our current president who just keeps wasting our tax money flying down to Florida every weekend.
Ok enough ranting.......

Great campsite, with a small lake with beach the kids can swim at. Only thing is there is a steep hike back and forth from campsite to beach, we ended up driving to beach area after our first attempt to walk to beach with all our gear, as an excuse we did have a 7 year old with us.

Great easy loop hikes around campsite with a decent waterfall depending on when it last rained. Great local get away only 1 hr away from DC.

Cunningham Falls State Park MD

This campground is fantastic! Great sites and clean facilities!! If you’re there around Columbus Day weekend, check out Colorfest in the town of Thurmont!!

Perfect place to camp!!

Several different camping areas with about 150 places. We had a good site near the showers. Well looked after and plenty to do for our 5 year old with evening activities. Picnic bench, fireplace, gravel camp area. Near to the falls though I think walking from the campsite would have been tough with the kid. 

Comfortable and well-run

This was our first trip here. We brought the grandkids out for a few days of relaxing and unwinding in the woods. The 3-yo had no issues on the trails. The volunteer staff were awesome and extremely helpful. Can’t wait to come back!!

Simply Outstanding

Stayed one night in September and had a nice level gravel site with fire pit, picnic table and bath house. Greeted by a friendly and helpful camp host as we backed into our site for our maiden voyage. Clean bath house and amenities. Stayed in site 25 with water spigot nearby. Dumpsters for garbage not a far drive and dump station as you leave the park was convenient.

Cunningham Falls State Park

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. ￼￼

Great location, sites lacking 

Second time here. It’s a nice place for families with friendly hosts, lots of other kids running around, decent hikes, good bathrooms, shady sites. The firewood was good (though they ran out of ice this time). We were in the E loop. The lake is nice to wade or swim in though the lakeside gets very crowded on holiday weekends.  

Great family campground 

Absolutely perfect camping spot. Great size pad, large enough for 2 average tents or 1 large tent. All sites have a fire ring and a picnic table. Bathhouse was close by and showers were hot. Amazing hiking trails close by, the falls are a must see. 

Perfect getaway 

The sites are very well maintained. Not a fan of kids running around through sites. The Elderberry and Deer Spring loops are no pets, but I’d like to see a no kids policy too. Kidding! In all seriousness, it’s very quiet and really can’t complain. Very well maintained. My only issue is the $9 firewood and the sites being far away from the lake and no trails connected to the campgrounds. Must drive to get to anything worth seeing. 

Great park, sites not close to anything

Spacious camp store, our lot had electricity, clean bathrooms with dishwashing sink outside. Well-patrolled by rangers, beautiful hike to the Falls. 

Clean and friendly service

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. 

Very quiet and peaceful 

Very clean and quiet State Park. Most sites are level. Some are a bit too close to their neighbors.  Honestly my only complaint.  If you stay midweek, absolutely not an issue.

The loops with power tend to have more RVers.  The loops without are mostly tents.  

Each loop has a bath house with shower and a place to wash dishes.  



Clean, quiet camping 

We stayed in bear branch loop… loved being surrounded by the lush forest.
Clean bathrooms and direct access to hiking trails. 

Camping in a gorgeous forest setting 

Got a last minute non electric spot.  Pad is very level, all sites appear to be.  We are up in back loops where mostly tent campers around us but driveway is plenty big for our 27' trailer and truck.  Sites are spaced quite well.  We did notice electric loop is a bit closer spaced but not near as bad as other campgrounds.  

Easy hike (gravel trail) to the 'falls'.  Half mile from lake parking lot.  Did it fine with 5, 3, and 1 yo.  Nice playground by lake.  Access to lake area is included with camp fee, they don't double dip.  Great camp store.  Hot drinks and Ice cream, so good refreshers in any weather.