🌤 Weather at Cunningham Falls State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31–73 °F | 60–84 °F | 36–75 °F | 23–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Catoctin Mountain Park, 4 mi away, elevation 1,610 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Cunningham Falls State Park is Maryland’s waterfall wonderland—home to the state’s highest cascading waterfall at 78 feet, nestled in the scenic Catoctin Mountains just west of Thurmont. Swim at the sandy beach on 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake, hike through hemlock forests to the thundering falls, and camp at 161 wooded sites. Explore the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace and meet raptors at the Scales & Tales Aviary. Just an hour from Baltimore and Washington D.C., this is the Mid-Atlantic’s ultimate outdoor escape.
📢 Popular Park Advisory
On warm spring and summer weekends, the lake, beach, and falls area may temporarily close once capacity is reached. Arrive early (before 10 AM) or visit on weekdays. Cell service is limited in the Catoctin Mountains.
Cunningham Falls – 78 Feet of Maryland’s Finest
| Waterfall Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 💧 Height | 78 feet (24 meters) |
| 🏆 Distinction | Maryland’s highest cascading waterfall |
| 🥾 Trail | Multiple trails from William Houck Area |
| 🌲 Setting | Hemlock forest, rocky cascade |
| 📸 Best Time | After rainfall for maximum water flow |
Hunting Creek Lake – 43-Acre Swimming Lake
| Lake Features | Details |
|---|---|
| 📐 Size | 43 acres |
| 🏖️ Beach | Sandy swimming beach |
| 🚣 Boating | Non-motorized boats allowed |
| 🎣 Fishing | Bass, panfish (MD license required) |
| 📅 Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
Camping – 161 Sites in Two Areas
| Campground | Standard | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| 🏕️ William Houck Area | 106 sites | 33 sites |
| 🏔️ Manor Area | 12 sites | 10 sites |
| Camping Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Season | April – October |
| 🏠 Camper Cabins | Available (reservations required) |
| 📞 Reservations | Online or by phone |
Park Attractions
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| 🦅 Scales & Tales Aviary | Live raptor exhibits (Manor Area) |
| 🏭 Catoctin Iron Furnace | Historic 1774 iron furnace ruins |
| 🥾 Hiking Trails | Multiple difficulty levels |
| 🏔️ Setting | Catoctin Mountain range |
Park Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 💵 Entry Fee | $3/person weekdays, $5/person weekends (Memorial Day–Labor Day) |
| 📐 Size | 4,946 acres |
| 📍 Location | West of Thurmont, Frederick County |
| 🚗 Distance | ~1 hour from Baltimore & D.C. |
Wildlife & Nature
Cunningham Falls SP — 4,946 acres — features Cunningham Falls — the tallest cascading waterfall in Maryland (78 feet) over Catoctin greenstone. The park’s Blue Ridge forest, streams, and Hunting Creek Lake support black bears, timber rattlesnakes, and barred owls.
Nearby Attractions
Thurmont — adjacent. Catoctin Mountain Park — adjacent (home of Camp David). Frederick — 15 miles south.
How tall is Cunningham Falls?
Cunningham Falls is 78 feet (24 meters) tall, making it Maryland’s highest cascading waterfall. The falls tumble through a rocky hemlock forest in the Catoctin Mountains. Multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty lead to the falls from the William Houck Area. The falls are most impressive after rainfall.
Can you swim at Cunningham Falls State Park?
Yes! The 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake has a sandy swimming beach open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It’s one of the most popular swimming spots in Maryland and can reach capacity on summer weekends—arrive early! Non-motorized boating and fishing are also available.
Does Cunningham Falls State Park reach capacity?
Yes, frequently. On warm spring and summer weekends, the park temporarily closes once capacity is reached. The lake, beach, and falls area are especially crowded. To avoid being turned away, arrive before 10 AM or visit on weekdays. The park reopens as visitors leave.
What is the Scales & Tales Aviary?
Scales & Tales is a live raptor exhibit located in the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park. It features birds of prey including owls, hawks, and eagles that cannot survive in the wild. Educational programs help visitors learn about raptor conservation. It’s a unique attraction that sets this park apart!
Is there cell service at Cunningham Falls State Park?
Limited. Cell phone service is unreliable in many areas of the Catoctin Mountains. Plan accordingly—download offline maps before arriving, bring cash for day-use fees, and let someone know your plans. This is part of the park’s appeal for those seeking to disconnect!
💧 Maryland’s Waterfall Paradise
Hike to the state’s highest waterfall, swim in Hunting Creek Lake, and camp in the Catoctin Mountains—just an hour from Baltimore and D.C. Visit the official Cunningham Falls State Park website for current status and camping reservations.
Explore More Maryland State Parks
Cunningham Falls State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Maryland. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Maryland guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Gambrill State Park is a short drive away, and Greenbrier State Park is a short drive away.
⛺ Camping at Cunningham Falls State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | William Houck Area Campground: 106 basic sites and 36 electric sites, 23'x23' stone-dust pads with picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post; pet-friendly loops are Addison Run, Bear Branch, and Catoctin Creek; central bathhouse per loop; dump station at the campground exit. Manor Area Campground: 20 basic sites and 7 electric sites, pet-friendly throughout; bathhouses with hot showers available April-October only (portable restrooms in winter); only self-contained units permitted in winter. The statewide park amenities summary lists 184 total campsites for the park. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 4 six-person Mini Cabins in the William Houck Area, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post; no heat (electric heater/fan allowed, no propane); all cooking must be done outside; campers provide their own linens. No cabins in the Manor Area. |
| Pets | William Houck Area pet-friendly loops: Addison Run, Bear Branch, Catoctin Creek. Manor Area is pet-friendly throughout the campground. |
| Reservations | Reserve online at parkreservations.maryland.gov or call 1-888-432-CAMP. Manor Area reservations are strongly recommended online; winter entrance gates are closed 7 p.m.-7 a.m., with the gate code sent in the reservation confirmation. |
| Special sites | Camping rates differ by Maryland residency and day of week per the park's published rate sheet (e.g. basic site Sun-Thu $21.50 MD resident / $22.50 non-resident, Fri-Sat $22.50/$23.50; electric site Sun-Thu $27.50/$28.50, Fri-Sat $28.50/$29.50; Golden Age Pass half-price Sun-Thu; $6.25 one-time transaction fee). RV/trailer delivery rental service available through the park office. Camp Hosts on-site. |
| Season notes | William Houck Area open April-October; Manor Area open year-round with reduced winter services (portable restrooms only, self-contained units only). |
Camping questions about Cunningham Falls State Park
Can you camp at Cunningham Falls State Park?
William Houck Area Campground: 106 basic sites and 36 electric sites, 23'x23' stone-dust pads with picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post; pet-friendly loops are Addison Run, Bear Branch, and Catoctin Creek; central bathhouse per loop; dump station at the campground exit. Manor Area Campground: 20 basic sites and 7 electric sites, pet-friendly throughout; bathhouses with hot showers available April-October only (portable restrooms in winter); only self-contained units permitted in winter. The statewide park amenities summary lists 184 total campsites for the park.
How do you reserve a campsite at Cunningham Falls State Park?
Reserve online at parkreservations.maryland.gov or call 1-888-432-CAMP. Manor Area reservations are strongly recommended online; winter entrance gates are closed 7 p.m.-7 a.m., with the gate code sent in the reservation confirmation.
Are there cabins at Cunningham Falls State Park?
4 six-person Mini Cabins in the William Houck Area, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post; no heat (electric heater/fan allowed, no propane); all cooking must be done outside; campers provide their own linens. No cabins in the Manor Area.
Are pets allowed at the Cunningham Falls State Park campground?
William Houck Area pet-friendly loops: Addison Run, Bear Branch, Catoctin Creek. Manor Area is pet-friendly throughout the campground.
Source: dnr.maryland.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Cunningham Falls State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Maryland state parks welcome leashed pets, but where they may go is set park by park under the Maryland Park Service Pet Policy — check each park's designated pet areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 6 ft maximum in designated pet areas and 10 ft in undeveloped areas; off-leash under voice control only while swimming in designated areas
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- At most parks pets are barred from sandy swim beaches from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; many parks allow shoreline swimming outside the swim beach
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Most cabins are pet-free, but select parks designate pet-friendly cabins (e.g. Herrington Manor cabins 1-10, New Germany cabins 3-7)
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets not allowed in park buildings or playgrounds; pets must be licensed and vaccinated
- Dogs & wildlife
- Pets are allowed in the Addison Run, Bear Branch, Catoctin Creek, Deer Spring, and Manor Area camping loops and on all Houck-area trails — but secure pet food like your own; this is bear country.
Are dogs allowed at Cunningham Falls State Park?
Maryland state parks welcome leashed pets, but where they may go is set park by park under the Maryland Park Service Pet Policy — check each park's designated pet areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.maryland.gov. More: Maryland state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Cunningham Falls State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: From the rock outcrops on mountain tops to the shoreline of Hunting Creek Lake, Maryland DNR says visitors can view birds such as eagles and turkey vultures, reptiles such as snakes and turtles, and mammals including raccoons and black bears.
Watch out for: Frederick County is Black Bear Country, and bears do visit the campgrounds: never keep food in your tent, store food and garbage in your vehicle's trunk, remove trash daily, and secure pet food too. If a bear comes into camp, don't feed it — scare it away by making noise. Both of Maryland's venomous snakes, the copperhead and the timber rattlesnake, have been documented in the park; if you encounter a snake, maintain a safe distance and move away from it.
Are there bears at Cunningham Falls State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via dnr.maryland.gov.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Cunningham Falls State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
