Cunningham Falls

Briski.us

Photos

I used do some of my training hikes in this area. For a good work out I load up the pack and head up over Bob's Hill. The eastern face is fairly steep and will get you huffing.

Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains, is known for its history and scenic beauty, as well as its 78-foot cascading waterfall. The Falls is located one half mile from the lake in the Houck Area via the Falls Trail.

Before the first Europeans arrived, many small Native American tribes farmed, hunted and fished the area. Tradition says the name Catoctin came from the tribe, the Kittoctons, who once lived at the foot of the mountains near the Potomac River. By the time the settlers began to arrive in the Monocacy River Valley, Native Americans were seldom seen.

Early settlers used timber from the forests to make charcoal to fuel the Catoctin Iron Furnace. Too many years of clear-cutting and unscientific farming practices contributed to the overuse and destruction of the land.

In 1954, the area was divided into two parks, divided by Maryland Route 77. The northern 5,000 acres is now Catoctin Mountain Park, a unit of the National Park Service. The remaining 5,000 acre parcel was named Cunningham Falls State Park.

There are two main developed areas in the park, the William Houck Area and the Manor Area. Check out a map of the area.*

Trail Descriptions

LOWER TRAIL--red blaze (one half mile) This easy to moderate trail is the shortest and easiest access to the Falls. Interpretive signs and benches along the way. Return to the lake by this trail or Cliff Trail.
CLIFF TRAIL--yellow blaze (3/4 mile) Rough terrain offers strenuous hiking past rock outcrops that lead to the Falls. Return to the lake by this trail or Lower Trail.
CAMPGROUND TRAIL--orange blaze (3/4 mile) This strenuous trail gives campers access to the Cliff Trail.
OLD MISERY TRAIL--orange blaze (2 miles) This steep, strenuous trail with many switchbacks and scenic views connects with the Cat Rock Trail.
CAT ROCK/BOB'S HILL--yellow blaze (7.5 miles) This strenuous trail crosses the mountain and passes two scenic rock outcrops with scenic views.
CAT ROCK TRAIL--yellow blaze (1.5 miles) This steep, strenuous trail leads to Cat Rock (elevation 1560') and scenic views.
BOB'S HILL TRAIL--yellow (1.5 miles) This steep, strenuous trail leads to Bob's Hill (elevation 1765') and two short spur trails with views north and south.
CATOCTIN FURNACE Trail--No blaze (1/4 mile) A self-guided trail which leads to Catoctin Furnace. Crosses U.S. 15 via elevated foot path (46 steps up the stairway).
CATOCTIN TRAIL--blue blaze (27 miles) This strenuous trail leads from Gambrill State Park through Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls and Catoctin Mountain Park. Nine miles of trail are in Cunningham Falls. Camping permitted only in designated campgrounds.

Location - In Frederick County, about 15 miles north of Frederick, the park in the scenic Catoctin Mountains includes two portions: The Manor Area, on US RT 15 and the Houck Area, three miles west of Thurmont, off RT 77, on Catoctin Hollow Road.*

* http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunninghamfalls.html, August 4, 2001