Camping
Cunningham Falls State Park has campsites in both the William Houck Area and the Manor Area.
Make a reservation
online or by calling 1-888-432-CAMP.
Click Here for Camping Rates for the William Houck & Manor Area Campgrounds
William Houck Campground
5783 Campground Drive
Thurmont, MD 21788
The William Houck Area Campground opens at the beginning of April and closes at the end of October annually. Campers check in at the Camp Office, located at the entrance to the campground, starting at 3 p.m. until closing.
Features include:
- 106 basic sites and 36 electric sites
- Campsites are 23’ x 23’ stone dust pad with a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post
- 4 (6-person) Mini Cabins
- Centrally located bathhouses in each loop
- Dump Station at Campground Exit
- Freshwater fill up
- Pet friendly Loops: Addison Run, Bear Branch & Catoctin Creek
Camp Office Hours of Operation
Before Memorial Day Weekend and After Labor Day Weekend:
Sunday - Thursday
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day
8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Camp Store Hours of Operation
Until further notice:
Mondays - Thursdays: Closed
Fridays: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sundays: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cabins are to be checked out and vacated by 12 p.m. and campsites are to be checked out and vacated by 1 p.m. on the last day of the reservation. If you need to arrange check in or out outside of the listed hours, please contact the park office ahead of time.
Manor Area Campground
6709 Cunningham Falls Park Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
- All Manor Area Campground reservations should be made using the
park reservation website.
Reservations should be made online in advance so that you can receive important alerts and be granted access into the campground. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays, reservations can also be made from 9am-5pm by calling, 1-888-432-2267. Those without reservations will not be guaranteed access to the campground.
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The park entrance gates are closed 7pm-7am during the winter months. Registered campers will receive the gate code in their reservation confirmation email.
Without a reservation, access will not be granted during these hours.
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In inclement weather, the park reserves the right to close the campground as needed and cancel reservations. Access and exit to the campground is not guaranteed in inclement weather. Campsites are not plowed.
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Only self contained units are permitted (units that have a restroom inside the unit).
- Starting October 31, 2023 the campground bath house, dump station and all day use restrooms will be closed for the season and only portable restrooms will be available until April.
- Check in for reservation holders is located at the shed inside the entrance to the campground.
- Firewood sales will not be available in the winter season.
Features include:
- 20 basic sites, 7 electric sites, no cabins
- Centrally located bathhouses with flushing toilets and hot showers
(only available April-October)
- Pet friendly throughout the entire campground
- Free access to the William Houck Area dump station
(only available April-October)
Camper Cabins
The William Houck Area Campground has 4 six-person camper cabins. Each cabin site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post. All cooking must be done outside the cabin. The cabins have no heat. Campers may bring an electric heater or fan. Heat sources should not be left on while the cabin is unattended. No propane heaters are allowed. Campers must provide their own linens.
Reservations are recommended since the camper cabins often fill weeks or months in advance.
Camp Hosts
Camp hosts are volunteers that live in the campground from the spring to the fall. Of the many benefits camp hosts provide the park, they are primarily responsible for cleaning campsites and assisting campers with issues or questions when a ranger is not immediately available. Please feel free to stop by a camp host site if you need assistance.
If you are interested in becoming a camp host for the upcoming season, please contact the park at
CunninghamFalls.StatePark@maryland.gov or the park at 301-271-7574.
No tent? No problem!
You can have an RV or camping trailer delivered and set up on your site prior to your arrival. Contact the park office at (301) 271-7574 or Beckley’s RVs (833) 228-2376 for details on how to rent the camper of your choice from a local, experienced RV rental company. This is an extra service and is not included in your camping reservation.
OPERATION: CAMPOUT!
It's never too late to discover the joys of sitting around a roaring campfire, roasting marshmallows or sleeping under the stars!
The OPERATION: CAMPOUT! Program supplies the park with gear that we can lend you free of charge (includes a tent, chairs, stove, lantern and more). This program is designed for military individuals and military families new to camping or experienced campers stationed or recovering in this area. OPERATION: CAMPOUT! is an opportunity for families to reconnect with each other and the great outdoors in a comfortable, safe and relaxing setting. Contact the park directly, with your reservation information, to reserve your camping kit.
Tips for Camping in Black Bear Country
Bears do visit our campgrounds. Here are a few simple reminders to help keep you and the bears safe and ensure that you have an enjoyable stay.
- Never keep food in your tent.
- Store food and garbage out of a bear's reach by storing food securely in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Remove your trash from your site daily and place in the campground dumpsters.
- Remember to secure your pet’s food also.
- If a bear comes into camp, don't feed it! Scare it away by making noise.
- See a park employee to get more detailed information on how to camp in black bear country or visit:
Living with Black Bears.
