Frederick County, Maryland, is home to six National Park Service units and nearly 100 National Register properties and historic districts, and is part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area. It’s the perfect place to #FindYourPark. There are many ways to enjoy parks, whether you prefer urban parks, nature parks, historic parks, or anything in between!
FIND YOUR PARK IN FREDERICK COUNTY!
Here’s a video of a hike in to see Cunningham Falls at the State Park of the same name..
Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland: Hike in the Rain
Rainy days are perfect for a hike to a waterfall. Today I’m at Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains just west of Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland. The park sits adjacent to Catoctin Mountain Park. I start the hike at the lake access area and take the short and easy Lower Falls Trail directly to Cunningham Falls. The falls had pretty decent flow due to two days of rain; however, prior to this rain event the area had been experiencing a severe drought. So even with the rain the water levels are slightly down. I still got some good views of the falls. After checking out the cascade, I head up the Cliffs Trail. This slightly more challenging trail winds up a rocky ridge, passing many large rock features and massive boulders. Near the top of the mountain the Cliff Trail intersects with the Catoctin Trail. I hiked the combined trail a short distance in a southbound direction and at the trail split I continued downhill on the Cliffs Trail, returning to the lake area parking.
On this rainy day I had the entire park to myself, and it was a beautiful and pleasant hike. Be advised, however, that if you visit this park in nice weather it will likely be very crowded. Sadly, there is also tremendous road noise coming from MD Route 77 which parallels the creek on the north side.
If you like a challenging hike through the mountains with breathtaking overlooks or a scenic walk along a nature trail, Catoctin Mountain Park is the perfect choice for your next outdoor adventure. The park has a variety of trails to choose from, ranging from paved loop trails to serious hiking trails for major enthusiasts. This natural area is so peaceful that it is home to presidential retreat Camp David.
FIND YOUR PARK IN FREDERICK COUNTY!