Maryland is home to a variety of underrated state parks for both residents and visitors to enjoy, and Cunningham Falls State Park is one of the best.
Home to Maryland’s highest cascading waterfall, this park’s proximity to Frederick, MD, makes it a perfect destination for residents and visitors to enjoy a range of activities.
In this article, we provide everything you need to know about enjoying Cunningham Falls State Park. Whether you’re interested in hiking, camping, or taking your family to the beach, we’ve got you covered with all the information you need.
The Complete Guide to Cunningham Falls State Park
Getting There and Other Basics
Cunningham Falls is located in Frederick County adjacent and just west of Thurmont, MD. The park basically straddles Fredrick and Carrol Counties, and has a variety of sections with different activities.
You will most likely enter Cunningham Falls State Park by traveling west on Route 77 from Thurmont. But as you’ll read below, there are a variety of areas and entry points.
Lake Area and Cunningham Falls Trailhead. (location link) This is considered part of the William Houck Area, and is the most popular. It is home to the lake, the beach, and the main trailhead to the falls.
William Houck Area Campground. (location link) This is one of the camping areas, which includes the camp office and camp store.
Manor Area and Manor Campground. (location link) This area has a visitor center, a second campground, and also home to the Catoctin Iron Furnace.
Cunningham Falls Hours of Operation depend on the season:
- April to October: 8 AM to sunset
- November to March: 10 AM to sunset
The Official Maryland DNR Site has valuable information, and you can also read TripAdvisor Reviews on the park. Also note that we usually lose mobile phone coverage once near or inside the park, so plan accordingly.
Top Ways to Enjoy Cunningham Falls State Park
What makes Cunningham Falls such an attraction for Frederick residents and visitors is the variety of activities it offers. Here are the ways we recommend you enjoy this Maryland State Park.
(Keep reading below for more details on each):
- Hiking. Some of the best hikes in Maryland can be found in Cunningham Falls State Park. There are hikes for every level.
- Camping. If you’re a camping family, Cunningham Falls offers several outstanding campgrounds.
- Cunningham Falls. Visiting the falls themselves is a must, with easy access for anyone.
- The Beach and Swimming. Popular with families and kids, Hunting Creek Lake has a beach for fun and swimming (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
- Fishing. With a Maryland Fishing License, you can fish for trout in Hunting Creek Lake or the various streams in the park.
- Picnic. This is an excellent park for a simple visit and picnic. Both the William Houck and Manor areas offer numerous picnic facilities.
- Events. The park hosts regular events, including interpretive programs, 5K and 10K races, and the highly popular Maple Syrup Festival in March.
Cunningham Falls State Park Map
If you’re like me, the first thing you want in a park is a good map. Below is a link to the best map of Cunningham Falls State Park. This PDF includes all entrances, services, hiking trails, and roads through the park.
Cunningham Falls State Park Map
This is the best map of Cunningham Falls State Park. Click for a PDF version.
Area Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Are you visiting and need to find a hotel or vacation rental near Cunningham Fall State Park? This map can help:
Entrance and Day Use Fees
You’ll pay a small fee to enter the park and use its facilities. How much depends on which area you visit and the time of year:
The William Houck Area
This is the main area with trails to the falls, the lake, beach, and the William Houck campground. Fees for this area are:
- Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Weekends and Holidays: $5/person (Maryland residents), $7/person (non-residents)
- Weekdays: $3/person (Maryland residents), $5/person (non-residents)
- Rest of Year
- $3/person (Maryland residents), $5/person (non-residents)
The Manor Area
This is the secondary area where the Catoctin Iron Furnace and Manor campground are located.
- Year Round Fees: $3/vehicle (Maryland residents), $5/vehicle (non-residents)
Other FAQs on Cunningham Falls Entrance Fees:
- Fees are mainly collected via ‘honor system’ pay stations as you drive into the park
- Fees for other activities, such as camping and boating, are listed in the respective sections below
- Fees are waived for both Veterans of the Armed Forces and Active Duty Military/National Guard
- You can purchase a Maryland State Park and Trail Passport to get unlimited annual day use at all Maryland State Parks.
Hiking to Cunningham Falls
Of course, one of the main attractions of the park is Cunningham Falls itself. This beautiful cascade deep in the woods is a must-see if you are in the area.
The falls are incredibly accessible and virtually anyone can hike to the base of the falls. There many more extensive hikes you can take in the area (read more below).
The falls are accessed in the William Houck area of the park, and you can take either of the following trails to reach the falls:
Lower Trail + Cliff Trail
These are the shortest trails that both lead to the falls. The Lower Trail is a 0.5 mile easy, interpretive trail leading to the falls. Virtually anyone can do it. Park at the Day Use area. You can return via the Cliff Trail which is slightly longer and more rugged.
A few more notes on visiting the actual Cunningham Falls:
- There is an alternative Boardwalk Trail that is 100% accessible and leads to the falls.
- Swimming is prohibited in the falls (though Nicole and I will admit to dipping our feet in many times!)
- It’s very tempting to climb the surrounding rocks (again, we do it all the time). But the rocks are slick and dangerous. Use caution and watch your kids!
The Best Hikes in Cunningham Falls State Park
Nicole and I love hiking, and Cunningham Falls is one of the best places around Frederick for hiking.
Below are what we consider the best hikes in Cunningham Falls State Park. Refer to the park’s trail map for more details.
Cunningham Falls Upper Loop Trail
This 2.5 Mile Loop Trail begins from the far trailhead on Foxville Road (Route 77) is the best way to see the falls and the deep forests of the park. Utilize the Catoctin Trail to start, then the Cliff Trail and Lower Trail to form a loop.
Misery Trail to Cat Rock Summit
This is a 3.3 mile out and back hike that is probably our favorite longer hike in the park. Starting from the Dam Overlook Parking Lot on Catoctin Hallow Road, you take the Misery Trail up the mountain to the beautiful Cat Rock Summit.
Bob's Hill Trail to Bob's Hill Overlook
Another climbing trail to a great overloop is the Bob's Hill Trail. Take this trail 1.5 miles up from the Manor Area to Bob's Hill Overlook and check out the various views to both the south and north.
Hunting Creek Lake, The Beach, and Swimming
One of the most popular activities at Cunningham Falls State Park, especially for families with kids is visiting the beach at Hunting Creek Lake.
The lakeside beach is located in the William Houck area, which also has lots of other services including lots of places to picnic.
Some important things to keep in mind regarding the beach and swimming at Cunningham Falls:
- Swimming in the beach area is open from Memoral Day to Labor Day
- GET THERE EARLY. On busy summer days, the beach area of the park fills up early, often by mid-morning.
- Lifeguards are often on duty, but in our experience they are not consistent. Plan on watching kids yourself.
- No pets are allowed
If you can arrive early enough to enter, this area offers plenty of parking, restrooms for changing, numerous picnic tables, and is an excellent place for families to spend a warm day!
Boating in Hunting Creek Lake
Hunting Creek Lake is not large, but it’s big enough to go boating. There are multiple ways to go boating in Cunningham Falls State Park. The first is to launch your own boat using the boat ramp in the same William Houck beach area.
There is a small charge ($3 for Maryland residents, $5 for non-residents). Only electric boats are permitted; no gas-powered boats.
During the summer months, there is also a boat rental operation in the beach area. Here you can rent canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats. Prices vary but generally $10-20 per hour.
There’s a scarcity of information on boat rentals at Cunningham Falls anywhere online, but less a reservation system. But you can call in advance: 1.301.271.7574.
The Super Interesting Catoctin Furnace
One attraction in the park that is alone worth visiting, especially if you like history, is the Catoctin Furnace.
Located in the Manor Area, just south of the visitor center, this National Historic Register site will take you back 200 years to what was happening in the Maryland mountains.
The structure dates back to 1776 and was used to smelt iron ore from the surrounding mountains into iron and steel, which was initially used by the Continental Army and later powered the Industrial Revolution for years.
The fairly new Museum of the Iron Worker is a small but fascinating onsite exhibit that tells the story of the facility, its people, processes, and history of iron making at the site—highly recommended!
Notes on visiting the Catoctin Furnace:
- Hours vary based on season, but generally Thurs-Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM
- On-site parking available
- There are several short walks around the area, including the 0.4-mile Iron Trail and the African American Cemetery Trail
Camping and Campgrounds
Cunningham Falls State Park features some of the best campgrounds near Frederick, MD. If your family enjoys camping, this park offers a selection of top-notch campgrounds in the Frederick area.
There are two main campgrounds available, each with its own unique advantages and characteristics. We will provide all the details for each campground below, but first, let’s compare the two campgrounds at Cunningham Falls.
1. William Houck Campground. This is the larger, main campground in the vicinity of the falls. It has more facilities and is located near Hunting Creek Lake and the beach. It is also more crowded.
2. Manor Area Campground. This campground is smaller, more secluded, and has less facilities. It is located near the Catoctin Furnace and is open all year.
William Houck Campground: All You Need to Know
The William Houck Campground features 106 basic tent sites and 36 electric camp sites, all situated around multiple loops. There is a bathhouse for each loop.
There’s a camp office where you check in when it’s open (3 pm to close), but you can also check in after hours.
There are also four cabins available for rent. Each cabin sleeps six.
Reservations are made in advance online or by phone. Fees depend on weekday vs weekend and resident vs non-resident. Discounts are available to Maryland Park Service Golden Age Pass holders.
- William Houck Campground Location
- Open Beginning of April to End of October
- Online Reservations
- Phone Reservations - 1.888.432.CAMP
- Fee - $21.50 to $23.50/night + $6.25 Fee
Manor Area Campground: All You Need to Know
The Manor Area Campground features 20 basic campsites and 7 electric sites. There is a bathhouse that operates from April to October, which includes shower facilities.
Check-in is conducted via a self-service station located at the entrance, which is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Reservations must be made in advance online.
Rates at this campground are the same as those at the William Houck Campground. Watch this informative video overview of the Manor Campground area.
- Manor Area Campground Location
- Open Year Round
- Online Reservations
- Phone Reservations - 1.888.432.CAMP
- Fee - $21.50 to $23.50/night + $6.25 Fee
More on Camping at Cunningham Falls State Park
- Summer is the busy season, but we’ve generally never had a problem with reservations if they’re made 1-2 months in advance
- A dump station is located at William Houck (both campgrounds have access)
- Firewood is available for sale at both campground
- Want to rent an RV? Check out Beckley’s RVs, who will set up at your Cunningham Falls campsite in advance
- Cunningham Falls has black bears, so be sure to follow procedures for camping in bear country
Fishing in Cunningham Falls State Park
While not as notable as the fly fishing opportunities in the nearby Thurmont area, there are actually some decent fishing opportunities within Cunningham Falls State Park.
If you are interested in fishing in the park, here are some options:
Fishing Hunting Creek Lake
The lake is a great place for trout fishing, as it is a Maryland put and take trout area (regularly stocked), You can fish from the pier, banks, or your own electric boat. Other species such as bass and crapie exist in Hunting Creek Lake.
Fishing the Creeks and Streams
Several of the main creeks in Cunningham Falls State Park are Catch and Release trout streams. Fly fishing with artificial flies is permitted.
Big Hunting Creek. along route 77 and Little Hunting Creek in the Manor Area are especially good places to fly fish.
To fish in Cunningham Falls State Park, you must have a Maryland Freshwater Sport Fishing License, which you can purchase online from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Hunting in Cunningham Falls State Park
Nicole and I are not hunters, so this is not our area of expertise. But hunting is permitted on 4,400 acres of Cunningham Falls State Park.
Below are the resources to use if you are interested in hunting in this state park:
Accessibility in the Park
The Maryland DNR has done a variety of things to ensure the park is accessible and ADA compliant.
- The Boardwalk Trail is a 0.2-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail that leads to the falls. Handicap parking is available at the trailhead.
- The Fishing Pier at William Houck is wheelchair-accessible
- There are accessible campsites at William Houck (Deer Spring loop), and all bathhouses are wheelchair accessible
- The bath houses at South Beach are wheelchair accessible
The Maple Syrup Festival and Other Events at Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park hosts various events year round, including 5K/10K races, group hikes, and lots of interpretive programs at the Catoctin Furnace.
The best way to check the calendar for these events is by referring to the Explore Magazine, the annual Official Guidebook of Cunningham Falls State Park.
Explore Magazine
The Unofficial Guide to Cunningham Falls State Park
However, by far the most popular and notable event in the park is the annual Maple Syrup Festival.
This event is held every March over two weekends and celebrates the little-known history of maple syrup production in Maryland. You can watch demonstrations, listen to music, and of course indulge in pancakes.
