Offering easy to strenuous hikes, the East Side trails can lead you to stunning overlooks and vistas, access to Cunningham Falls, along with historical and interpretive exhibits. Numerous maps and guides for the East Side trails are available.
FEATURES:
Chimney Rock
Wolf Rock
8 Mile Loop Trail
Thurmont Vista
Blue Ridge Summit Vista
Hog Rock
Hog Rock Nature Trail
Cunningham Falls
Gateway Trail
Park Headquarters
Visitor Center
Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Exhibit
Charcoal Exhibit
Image of West Trails Hiking Map - Click to Visit West Side Trails Page
The West Side Trails of Catoctin Mountain Park offer a wilder, more quiet hiking experience. Adventurous hikers are more likely to see wildlife, wetlands, and an up-close view of nature. Remnants of former farms dot the land. The park's west side contains picnic areas, campgrounds, and Adirondack Shelters that connect with the trails. Self-guided brochures for the Brown's Farm Trail and Deerfield Nature Trail are available at the Visitor Center.
The Catoctin National Recreation Trail, which spans 26.6 miles and encompasses four distinct park and forest units, offers a challenging and brilliant hiking adventure along the eastern-most ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Catoctin Horse Trail Horse and Sign - Click to Visit Horse Trails Page
Approximately 6 miles of Horse Trails are maintained in Catoctin Mountain Park for public horseback riding. Trailer parking is available across from the entrance to Camp Greentop. If the parking area is snow covered or muddy, horse trailers should be parked at Round Meadow and horses led or ridden along the shoulder of Park Central Road to the trails.
The trail is open for day use only, from April 15th through January 31st and is closed in the winter to help preserve the trail.
Tips for Planning Your Trip
Bring a daypack with food and water. No matter what season, visitors should always bring water when hiking.
Hike with a friend (buddy system). Dogs need to be on leashes at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the rock formations (Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, and Hog Rock.)
Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Sandals are not recommended.
Be aware of the weather! Check the weather forecast before you leave your house and plan accordingly (i.e. rain gear if possibility of rain). Wear layers of clothing to add or take off as the weather and your body temperature change.
Be aware of the trail and fauna (such as snakes and bees) on the trails. Avoid deviating from the trail and getting lost. This helps us protect the resources by limiting our impact on the forest. If wildlife is encountered do not taunt, touch or feed, and enjoy watching from a safe distance.
Be very careful at overlooks and rock formations to avoid slips and falls as the rocks can be slippery and the formations have long, deep crevices that can cause injury or death. Rock climbing is only allowed with proper safety equipment at Wolf Rock.
Leave No Trace. We are a trash free park. Everything brought in needs to leave with you.
Leave wildflowers and other flora for all to enjoy.
Be aware that cell phones may not work in all areas of the park and many service providers do not work at all. Test your phone for coverage.
If you or someone you are with is injured report it to the first Park Ranger you encounter. (Emergency dispatch phone number: 1-866-677-6677).
Remember, walking/hiking estimated time varies on hiking ability and pace. Finally, have fun, be safe and have an adventure!
Locations:Anacostia Park, Antietam National Battlefield, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Fort Dupont Park, Fort Foote Park, Fort Washington Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Glen Echo Park, Great Falls Park, Greenbelt Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, National Capital Parks-East, Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm, Piscataway Park, Prince William Forest Park, Rock Creek Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Artsmore »
Forest regeneration in the National Capital Region continues to slowly improve, especially in parks that manage their deer populations. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2024.
Locations:Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, National Capital Parks-East, Prince William Forest Park, Rock Creek Park, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Artsmore »
Chickadees are some of the most common birds in the National Capital Region. Both Carolina chickadees and black-capped chickadees can be found in NCR parks. Learn more about these birds and how they're sometimes hard to tell apart.
Locations:Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, National Capital Parks-East, Prince William Forest Park, Rock Creek Park, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Artsmore »
Southern flying squirrels are common in eastern forests, but are rarely seen by humans because they are nocturnal. Learn more about these unique animals!
In 2021, the NPS began to compile research as part of an effort to update the National Register nomination and Cultural Landscape Inventory for Catoctin Mountain Park. These projects will incorporate features associated with more recent periods of development and use, which are associated with the diversification of the labor force in public work programs. While these tools are connected, they also offer unique characteristics for documentation and preservation.
For over half a century, Catoctin Mountain Park has served as the perfect getaway for those looking to find a break from city life. We have crafted an itinerary for you to use either as a guide, or as a framework for planning your own visit. Catoctin Mountain not only offers opportunities for recreation during the day, but also offers camp
Locations:Catoctin Mountain Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park
White-tailed deer populations have grown out of control in eastern parks. Inventory & Monitoring Program scientists studying forest health have found that forests in a majority of these parks are facing probable or imminent regeneration failure linked to deer overpopulation. Through this StoryMap, learn how deer management has improved forest health at three national parks: Gettysburg, Catoctin, and Valley Forge.
