Cunningham Falls State Park spans two areas, with the William Houck Area 5 miles from Sabillasville and the Manor Area just 2 miles away. The park sits within the Catoctin Mountain range at elevations between 800-1,600 feet, creating varied camping terrain. Fall temperatures often drop below 40°F at night, requiring adequate insulation for glamping close to Sabillasville, Maryland during autumn months.
What to do
Hiking the falls trail: Access the namesake waterfall via multiple trail options from both camping areas. "There are plenty of trails, including the Catoctin Trail, but all the trails I was on do not permit biking," notes a visitor at Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Visit the aviary: The Manor Area features a visitor station and aviary. "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," mentioned a camper at Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Explore historic battlefields: Take a short drive to nearby Gettysburg for history exploration. "It's convenient to historic Gettysburg battleground. The battefields are very close as well. Chubbys Pizza is about 5 minutes down the road and provides fast service as well as great food," reports a visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Sites at the Manor Area provide more privacy than the William Houck 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," writes a camper at Cunningham Falls State Park.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "The sites are very well maintained with spacious camp store, electricity, clean bathrooms with dishwashing sink outside," notes a reviewer at Cunningham Falls.
Creek access: Some campsites offer waterfront locations. "We were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. Not far to go anywhere walking. Porta potties were cleanest I have ever seen even with a ton of recent rain," shares a visitor at Gettysburg Campground.
What you should know
Site selection matters: The William Houck and Manor Areas offer very different experiences. "If you have kids or like to talk to other people go to the original campground but if you prefer quiet and your own little piece of the woods go to the Manor Area," advises a camper.
Water features vary: The man-made lake may not appeal to all swimmers. "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."
Seasonal availability: Most glamping accommodations near Sabillasville require advance booking. "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!!" suggests a visitor at Houck - Cunningham Falls State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pack for varied temperatures: Mountain elevations cause temperature fluctuations. "We stayed in 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."
Consider Jellystone for amenities: Families seeking more structured activities have options. "We had a blast and will be returning next season. Multiple pools and a great little water park. Store was well stocked, they also had an ice-cream/quick food store attached to the pool area and staff super friendly," shares a guest at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Williamsport MD.
Book weekend activities in advance: Popular events fill quickly. "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."
Tips from RVers
Extend your hookups: Some sites require additional equipment. "The hookups are oddly spaced and you need to ensure you have extensions handy. My electric hookup didn't work on 30A," reports a camper at Granite Hill Camping Resort.
Level your rig carefully: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. "It took 2 hours to get our camper set up because of the very uneven stone lot, thankfully we had enough wood to get the jack up without having to over extend it."
Consider Manor Area for privacy: RVers seeking quieter settings have options. "Some sites offer electric. There are two water spigots on opposite sides of the loops, but this area has no dump station. For that you need to go to the main site miles away or dump at a travel center."
