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Catoctin Mountain Park

Designation: Park

Location: Maryland

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created programs to give people a chance to rebuild their lives from the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps gave this land a second opportunity and through re-growth, a new role as a recreation area.

🌤 Weather Information

Summer (June-Aug) average temperature is between 61 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall (Sep-Nov) average temperature is between 45 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall foliage is at its peak in mid-October Winter (Dec-Feb) average temperature is between 24 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter snowfall is between 5-12" per month. Spring (March-May) average temperature is between 41 and 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Average precipitation is approximately 4 inches per month. (Source: usclimatedata.com)

🚗 Directions

To reach the visitor center from the east, follow US Route 15 to MD Route 77 and go west about 3 miles. The visitor center is on the right side of the road. From the west, take I 70 to MD 66 at exit 35. Turn left onto MD 66 north and travel about 5 miles, passing through the roundabout. Turn right onto MD 64 and drive 1 mile. Turn right onto MD 77. Drive on MD 77 about 7.5 miles. The visitor center is on the left.

Images

Rock formation with mountains in the background

A challenging hike leads to Chimney Rock, the most popular vista in the park.

Credit: NPS Photo/Peggie Gaul

A stone and wood building with plants and flowers in front

First time visitors should begin their park experience at the visitor center.

Credit: NPS Photo/Peggie Gaul

A slender-bodied, red salamander with black spots across its body.

Life is abundant at Catoctin Mountain Park, and habitat is plentiful for many salamander species.

Credit: NPS Photo/Thomas Zygmunt

A fast flowing stream cutting through a green forest.

Winding its way through the ridge, Big Hunting Creek is a popular fly fishing destination.

Credit: NPS Photo/John Zuke

A log cabin in the woods

Visitors can stay overnight in one of the historic Misty Mount cabins.

Credit: NPS Photo

A large angular boulder that resembles the shape of a wolf.

At the end of a boulder field the size of a football field, stands Wolf Rock. Do you see the wolf?

Credit: NPS Photo

A rocky outcrop nestled amongst trees overlooking a valley.

Blue Ridge Summit offers hikers a view northward into Pennsylvania.

Credit: NPS Photo/John Zuke

Multiple bright sun rays shining through a forest with log cabins.

Natural beauty envelopes the mountainside throughout the day.

Credit: NPS Photo/Thomas Zygmunt

Two riders, on horseback, walking through a forested trail.

The west side of the park is a popular trail riding destination.

Credit: NPS Photo/John Zuke

A large rocky outcropping overlooking a mountainside with fall foliage.

Chimney Rock provides an excellent view of the mountain's fall foliage.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
Sunrise to Sunset
Monday
Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday
Sunrise to Sunset
Wednesday
Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday
Sunrise to Sunset
Friday
Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday
Sunrise to Sunset

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Feb 10

Sunny

Sunny

High: 38.1°F | Low: 18.1°F

Humidity: 60%

Wind: 7.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.6

Sunrise: 07:08 AM

Sunset: 05:41 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (46%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 19.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Feb 11

Overcast

Overcast

High: 34.2°F | Low: 27.1°F

Humidity: 77%

Wind: 17.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.5

Sunrise: 07:07 AM

Sunset: 05:42 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (36%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 28.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Feb 12

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 31.8°F | Low: 22.1°F

Humidity: 68%

Wind: 19 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.5

Sunrise: 07:06 AM

Sunset: 05:43 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (28%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 20.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (2)

⚠️ Air Quality Alert (Unknown)
▼

Air Quality Alert issued February 9 at 3:30PM EST by NWS State College PA

Effective: Feb 9, 2026 3:30pm
Expires: Feb 11, 2026 12:00am

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has
issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert on Tuesday for the
Susquehanna Valley.

A Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for
sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people
suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases,
and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized
by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles,
visit http://www.airnow.gov and http://www.aqpartners.state.pa.us.

⚠️ Test Message (Unknown)
▼

Effective: Feb 10, 2026 1:27pm
Expires: Feb 10, 2026 1:37pm

Monitoring message only. Please disregard.

Park Alerts

Delayed Opening on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Information
Because of icy road conditions, the visitor center will be opened 2 hours late on 1/11/17. The building will open to the public at 11:00 a.m.
Delayed Opening January 27, 2026 Danger
The park will have a delayed opening on Tuesday, January 27. Park facilities, including the visitor center will now open at 11 a.m. Portions of Park Central Road may remain closed. For more information, please contact the visitor center.

More Info

Catoctin Mountain Park to Remove Hazardous Trees From Park Caution
The tree work will continue intermittently through December and may result in periodic lane closures along Park roads and periodic closures of parking lots. As work is being completed near roadways, flagmen will direct traffic around the operations.

More Info

Catoctin Mountain Park announces temporary closures July 18 - 20, 2025 Park Closure
Portions of Catoctin Mountain Park will be closed at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, July 18. Closures are scheduled to continue through approximately 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

More Info

Selected roadways, parking areas, and hiking trails to be closed March 6-8 for Deer Management Caution
Affected trails will be closed at 1:00PM daily. The Hog Rock, Thurmont Vista, and Wolf Rock Parking areas, along with sections of Park Central Road will close at 5:00PM. See the Deer Management page for more information.

More Info

Visitor Center and Facilities Closed - January 26, 2026 Park Closure
Due to conditions related to the winter storm, all facilities, including the visitor center, will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026. Park Central Road is also closed from the Visitor Center to Hog Rock Parking Lot.

More Info

Closure on Park Central Road Park Closure
As of Thursday, November 13, 2025, portions of Park Central Road will be under construction. At times access will be limited or restricted. Click "More" for updated status and closure information.

More Info

Temporary Closures for Deer Management Operations
Portions of the park will be closed beginning at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 for deer management operations. Closed trails will be marked with signs.
Restricted Traffic on Park Central Road - Sunday, September 20
Due to a bicycling event on Sunday, September 20, vehicles will not be able to travel westbound on Park Central Road from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm The Visitor Center will be open. Access to other areas from Foxville-Deerfield Rd. Call 301-663-9388 for details.
Catoctin Mountain Park announces temporary closures Jan. 16 - 19, 2026 Park Closure
Portions of Catoctin Mountain Park will be closed at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, January 16. Closures are scheduled to continue through approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026.

More Info

Temporary Closures for Deer Management Operations
Portions of the park will be closed beginning at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 for deer management operations. For further information, contact the visitor center at 301-663-9388.
Catoctin Mountain Park announces upcoming closures on Foxville Deerfield and Park Central roads Park Closure
Beginning Monday, August 4 through the end of October, portions of Foxville Deerfield and Park Central roads will be under construction. At times access will be limited or restricted. Click "More" for updated status and closure information.

More Info

Park Events

Museum by Candlelight

Take part in Ranger-led ornament and craft making at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitors Center replicating local flora and fauna. Visitors can also explore the exhibits housed within the Works Progress Administration wing of the building. 

Location: Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center 14707 Park Central Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788

Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
14707 Park Central Road
Thurmont, MD 21788

🏤 Mailing Address:
6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788

📞 Voice Phone: 3016639388

📞 Fax Phone: 3012710205

✉️ Email: CATO_superintendent@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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