Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Cunningham Falls State Park Information

Location:
Frederick County

Cunningham Falls State Park Lake Area & Falls:
14274 William Houck Dr. Thurmont, MD 21788

Cunningham Falls William Houck Area Campground & Camp Office:
5783 Campground Dr. Thurmont, MD 21788

Cunningham Falls Manor Area & Manor Area Campground:
6709 Cunningham Falls Park Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788

Administration Building:
14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788

Note: Please be advised that Campsites M1-M31 are located at the Manor Area Campground (6709 Cunningham Falls Park Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788). Please use this address instead of the main park address as they are two separate areas of the park. Camping permits will also be provided at this location.

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Contact:
​301-271-7574​
E-mail Cunningham Falls State Park
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Accessibility:
  • Accessible fishing pier located at the William Houck Area
  • Accessible campsites in Deer Spring campground loop of William Houck Area
  • All campground bathhouses are accessible
  • Accessible bathhouse in South Beach of William Houck Area
  • Beach wheelchair available upon request
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Driving Directions:
The William Houck Area, located three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77, has the lake area, falls and camping. The Manor Area three miles south of Thurmont off Route 15 has the Scales and Tales Aviary, camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace.​

Hours of Operation:
​8 a.m. to sunset, April-October

10 a.m. to sunset, November-March

By regulation, vehicles are not permitted to be parked after sunset. Certain activities are permitted outside of the regular park hours (e.g. fishing, boat launch, hunting where permitted). Please check with the park before your visit if you plan to engage in an activity which requires you to be in the park before or after the posted hours.​

Day Use Fees:

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Manor Area

  • $3 per vehicle for Maryland Residents
  • $5 per vehicle for non-Maryland Residents

William Houck Area

  • Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend - Rates are by person
    • Weekdays (Mondays through Fridays)
      • $3 per Maryland Resident
      • $5 per non-Maryland Resident
    • Weekends & Holidays (Saturdays & Sundays)
      • $5 per Maryland Resident
      • $7 per non-Maryland Resident
  • Off Peak (After Labor Day weekend to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend)
    • $3 per vehicle for Maryland Residents
    • $5 per vehicle for non-Maryland Residents
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Hunting Policy:
  • General hunting permitted in 4,400 acre designated hunting area
  • Nighttime furbearer hunting by permit only
  • Hunting permitted Monday-Saturday
  • Hunt from Vehicle provisions for disabled hunters
  • Provisions for hunters with mobility impairments
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Pet Policy:
  • Cunningham Falls Campgrounds: Pets are allowed in Addison Run, Bear Branch, Catoctin Creek and the Manor Area Camping Loops.
  • Houck Area: Pets allowed on all trails. Pets allowed anywhere in the day-use area except for sandy portion of the beach and lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
  • Manor Area: Pets are allowed in the day-use area and trails.

Alcohol Policy:
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all areas (including campgrounds), except the Manor Area Shelter, where you may purchase an alcohol permit, when you make a reservation.

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PlanAhead_Red.jpgPlan Ahead for "Filled To Capacity" Park Closures

Cunningham Falls State Park is one of Maryland’s most popular parks and serves a very high volume of visitors during summer weekends and holidays. To ensure the safety of our visitors and protection of the park’s natural resources and facilities, the park has a limited capacity.

During periods of high visitation, when the park’s capacity is reached, the park will be closed and traffic will be turned away from the park entrance. When that occurs, no additional vehicles/visitors will be allowed to enter the park, including those with members of their party who may already be in the park. If you are not traveling in the same vehicle with others in your party, we suggest that you all arrive at the same time.

When the park is closed due to being full to capacity, individuals and groups with shelter and/or camping reservations will be admitted, as parking is reserved for those purposes.

Based on recent experience and visitation trends, and depending on good weather, Cunningham Falls State Park will likely fill to capacity and close on Memorial Day and Fourth of July holiday weekends, and other weekends during the course of the summer. Please take this into consideration when planning your trip.

Cell Phone Service:
Please DO NOT rely on cell phones for communication while in the park. Many phones and carriers do not get service in the Catoctin Mountains. ​​​​