Cunningham Falls State Park

Cunningham Falls State Park

14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont, MD 21778
(301) 271-7574

[Note: This description is for Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. Do not confuse it with the similarly named Cunningham Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which is in Garrett County.]

Park Addresses:

• PARK OFFICE: 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
• LAKE & FALLS: 14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788
• HOUCK CAMPGROUND: 5783 Campground Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788
• MANOR AREA CAMPGROUND: 6709 Cunningham Falls Park Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

One of Maryland’s most popular state parks, Cunningham Falls State Park (6,157 acres) is located in northern Frederick County in the Catoctin Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cunningham Falls is one of four public properties that form an unbroken chain of protected land along the east side of Catoctin Mountain; the other three are Catoctin Mountain Park to the north; the Frederick City Watershed to the south and west; and Gambrill State Park, south of the City Watershed. Together, these four properties protect over 20,000 acres in the Upper Monocacy Watershed. 

Hunting Creek and smaller tributaries flow through Cunningham State Park. The streams in the park are known for their high water quality; they support populations of native brook trout as well as other native species. The park includes a 42-acre freshwater lake created by damming Hunting Creek; the lake is popular for fishing, boating, and swimming. Another popular feature of the park is Cunningham Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in Maryland, located on Hunting Creek just south of Route 77/Foxville Road. The Falls are easily viewed from an overlook reached by a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk from a handicap-only parking lot off Foxville Road. It is also possible to walk to the Falls from a parking lot near Hunting Creek Lake via the half-mile long Lower Trail.

Most of the park is covered with second growth mixed hardwood forest. The forest composition is similar to that in Catoctin Mountain Park, and includes several oak species, hickories, maples, ash, cherry, tulip poplar, black birch, American beech, sour gum, eastern hemlock, basswood, and hornbeam.

Within the park, 4,397 acres – 71% of the park – have been set aside as a State Wildland, with protections that restrict usage to passive recreation. In addition, part of the park has been designated by the state as the Cat Rock and Bob’s Hill Natural Area, protecting the largest contiguous tract of forest remaining in this part of Maryland. This is a wild and craggy section where bobcats and black bears roam. Cat Rock is known for its extensive quartzite outcrop, jagged cliffs, giant boulders, and a network of caves and deep crevices. The combination of the large forest tract with an extensive boulder field provides core habitat for the Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister), listed as Endangered in Maryland. The large wooded expanse also supports a wide variety of Forest Interior Dwelling Birds.

Another notable natural feature is the wetland system in Cunningham Falls Hollow, comprised of Foxville Swamp, Upper Hunting Creek Swamp, and Hunting Creek Hollow. This is part of a large seepage wetland that contains several three state rare threatened or endangered plant species and additional uncommon or locally important plant species.

The visitor facilities at Cunningham Falls State Park are found in two separate and distinct areas, which are joined by the Catoctin Trail and Bob’s Hill Trail as well as by Catoctin Hollow Road, a public road through the park. Catoctin Hollow Road enters the park from Route 15 on the east side of the park at the Manor Area, and runs to the northwest before making an arc and turning to the northeast, emerging onto Route 77 at the William Hough Area.

The William Houck area is located along the north boundary of the park, on the south side of MD Route 77/Foxville Road. This area includes Hunting Creek Lake, Cunningham Falls, a camping area, and trails.

The Manor Area is located near the southeast corner of the park, on the west side of MD Route 15/Catoctin Mountain Highway. This area includes the Scales & Tales Aviary, the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, and additional camping.

The hiking trail system in the park is extensive and varies from short, flat hikes to challenging trails with steep, rocky slopes.

William Houck Area Trails

• Lower Trail — ½ mile one-way, out-and-back (red blaze). This easy to moderate trail is one of the shortest trails in the park and provides easy access to Cunningham Falls. The trailhead is at the day-use parking area on William Houck Drive on the west side of the lake. The trail has interpretive signs and benches. You can make a loop walk by using the more strenuous Cliff Trail to return to the lake.  If the main day-use parking area is full, you can park at the South Beach or North Beach lots.
• Cliff Trail — ¾ mile one-way, out-and-back (yellow blaze). Rough terrain offers strenuous hiking past rock outcrops on this trail between the lake and the Falls. Convenient parking in the Day-Use Area, overflow in South Beach and North Beach lots.
• Lady’s Slipper Trail — 2.5 miles one-way, out-and-back (pink blaze). This strenuous trail arcs around the Houck camping area and provides access to the Cliff Trail. The trailhead is at the entrance to Bear Branch Camping Loop and next to the Houck Campground Amphitheater.
• Old Misery Trail — 2 miles one-way, out-and-back (or use as connector to Car Rock Trail) (orange blaze). This steep, strenuous trail runs from the east side of the Lake, southwest access a ridge to connect with the Cat Rock Trail. The trailhead is at the Dam Overlook parking lot, which is the northwest parking area on the east side of the lake off  Catoctin Hollow Road.
• Cat Rock Trail — 1.5 miles one-way, out-and-back (yellow blaze). This steep, strenuous trail leads to Cat Rock (elevation 1560 feet) and scenic views. The trailhead is at the Peniel Parking Lot off Route 77. The Cat Rock trail crosses Bear Branch and provides beautiful views along the way and at Cat Rock itself.

Manor Area Trails

• Iron Trail — ¼ mile one-way, out-and-back (no blaze, but signed). A self-guided trail which leads to Catoctin Furnace Historical Village. Crosses U.S. 15 via an elevated foot path (46 steps up the stairway). The trailhead is in the lower day-use area in Manor Area.
• African American Cemetery (AAC) Trail​ — ½ mile one-way, out-and-back (no blaze, but signed). Use the wayside interpretive panels to learn about the iron making process. More importantly, learn the names and stories of those enslaved to work in the village. This ADA-style unpaved path has two viewing platforms and three wooden benches. Parking is recommended at the Catoctin Furnace or the
• Bob’s Hill Trail — 1.5 miles one-way, out-and-back (yellow blaze). This steep, strenuous trail leads to Bob’s Hill (elevation 1765 feet) and two short spur trails with views North and South. Convenient parking in Manor Area day-use.
• Cat Rock/Bob’s Hill Hike — 7.5 miles one-way, out-and-back (yellow blaze). This strenuous trail crosses the mountain and passes two scenic rock outcrops with scenic views. Convenient parking in Manor Area day- use or in Peniel Lot off of Route 77.
• Catoctin Trail — 27 miles one-way, out-and-back (blue blaze). Not for the faint of heart, this rugged trail runs 27 miles, mostly north-south, connecting Cunningham Falls State Park to Catoctin Mountain Park to the north and to the Frederick City Watershed to the southwest, and beyond to Gambrill State Park.

Conservation note: Dating back to the colonial era, trees in the Catoctin Mountains were repeatedly cut to support charcoal production at the Catoctin Furnace, as well as for lumber and other uses. The forest was finally protected starting in the 1930s, when a large tract was acquired by the federal government. The northern part of this property became Catoctin Mountain Park and the southern section was transferred to state ownership to became Cunningham Falls State Park.

Birdlife:

Over 154 species have been reported from a combination of the four hotspots in Cunningham Falls State Park:

• Cunningham Falls State Park (general hotspot for the whole park) – 126+ species-
• Cunningham Falls SP–Falls Trails – 74+ species
• Cunningham Falls SP–Hunting Creek Lake – 117+ species
• Cunningham Falls SP–Manor Area – 93+ species

The park has breeding populations of Worm-eating and Kentucky Warblers, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager. Cerulean Warblers are scarce but can sometimes be found. Regularly seen are most woodpecker species, along with other forest species such as Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Towhee, Common Raven, and small woodland birds.

In migration, the park is a good place to find a wide variety of warblers, hawks, and thrushes. In the winter, Purple Finch and kinglets can be seen.

Wheelchair Access:

The short out-and-back boardwalk trail to an overlook at Cunningham Falls is wheelchair accessible; this trail is accessed from a handicapped-only parking area off of Foxville Road northwest of the lake in the William Houck Area; see the trail map at the link in the orange box in the At a Glance section of this webpage. Other hiking trails are not wheelchair accessible.

All of the restrooms in the campgrounds of the William Houck Area and the Manor Area are accessible. There is an accessible bathhouse in South Beach of the lake in the William Houck Area. A beach wheelchair is available upon request. There is a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and boat launch at the lake in the William Houck Area. A beach wheelchair available upon request.

There are handicapped parking spots in the campgrounds and in day-use parking areas. There are also designated handicapped campsites in the Deer Spring loop of the William Houck campground.

Pet Policy:

Pets must be on a leash at all time; pick up after your pet and take the bagged waste with you when you leave. Pets are allowed on the hiking trails and in most other areas of the park, including at least some parts of the campgrounds, but are not permitted on the sandy swimming beach during the swimming season.

Special Designations:

• Cunningham Falls State Park is contained within the Maryland Blue Ridge Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society.
• As mentioned above, two of the park’s outstanding features have been designated by the state as the Cat Rock and Bob’s Hill Natural Area.
• A large section of the park – 4,397 acres – has been designated as a State Wildland; this designation ensures that development is limited and only passive recreation can occur.

Special Features:

• The park offers many visitor amenities and activities, including swimming, fishing, hunting, boat rentals and boat launch (no gasoline motors), camping (cabins, tent sites, and RV sites), and picnicking. There is a Nature Center in the William Houck area, and a Scales and Tales wildlife education program.
• Mountain biking is prohibited because of the topography and fragile ecosystems.
• The Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park and Gambrill State Park, Inc. is a support group for the two parks. The members generate financial support necessary for supplementing the park’s budget. All proceeds go directly to the parks and are used for improvements such as the renovated Nature Center at High Rock Scenic Area of Gambrill State Park, tree plantings, new safety equipment, updated vehicles, and heavy equipment. The Friends also provide continuing support for events such as the “Maple Syrup Festival”, “Tea In The Tea Room” and the “Friends 10K, 5K and Fun Run Race.” The Friends would welcome your  donation or your membership as an active volunteer.
• Birds from the Department of Natural Resources Scales & Tales Program can be seen during park hours at the Aviary in the Manor Area.
• Check the park’s official website for special events.
• The Historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, located along Route 806 in the Manor Area of the park, was a site for iron-making for 127 years, from 1776 to 1903. In its early years, the furnace was worked primarily by enslaved African American laborers, who were eventually replaced by immigrants from Europe. Near the furnace is a cemetery where the African American laborers were buried; a brochure published by the Department of Natural Resources tells the story of the enslaved people and the cemetery, which was only recently discovered. Today, the furnace is a landmark on the National Historic Register and is a place where visitors can step back in time at events throughout the year, such as a Maple Syrup Festival in March.

Local MOS Chapter

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Frederick Bird Club, which hosts fields trips and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.The Audubon Society of Central Maryland also provides activities for birders in Frederick County; see their website for details.

Multimedia:

The Audubon Society of Central Maryland’s YouTube channel features presentations on birds and birding recorded at their monthly meetings and on other occasions.

Parking:

Paved parking is available throughout the park; see Trail Map at the link in the orange box in the At a Glance section of this webpage. Roadside parking is not permitted, and parking after sunset is not permitted outside the camping areas. Cunningham Falls State Park: Overnight parking is only permitted with prior approval from park staff. Any vehicles left overnight without approval may receive a citation. Requests can be emailed to cunninghamfalls.statepark@maryland.gov, including your name, phone number, vehicle information, estimated return date/time, where you plan to leave your vehicle, and an emergency contact. Campsite reservation information should be shared as well.​

Directions:

To reach the William Houck Area: from MD Route 15 in Thurmont, take MD Route 77/Foxville Road west for about 3 miles, turn left (south) onto Catoctin Hollow Road to the park entrance. To reach the Manor Area: from Thurmont, drive south 3 miles on MD Route 15; the park will be on the right. It is also possible to reach the Manor Area from the Houck area by using Catoctin Hollow Road. See map at the link in the orange box in the At a Glance section of this webpage.

Nearby Sites:

Frederick County: Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary ◾ C&O Canal – Mouth of Monocacy to Brunswick ◾ Catoctin Mountain Park ◾ Fred J. Archibald Audubon Sanctuary ◾ Gambrill State Park ◾ Lilypons Water Gardens ◾ Seymour B. Cooper MOS Sanctuary ◾ Sugarloaf Mountain

Habitats:

HedgerowsUpland Deciduous Forests Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirRivers & Streams

Features:

BeginnersBoardwalkBoat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchBoat RentalsCampingEntry Fee (Daily, All Year)FishingHiking/Walking TrailsHistorical FeaturesHorseback RidingHuntingNature Education ProgramsOvernight Lodging or CabinsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaRestroomsSwimmingWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasPonds, Lakes, and ReservoirsState Natural Areas & WildlandsState Parks