Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people travel to Frederick County to revel in our parks and recreational amenities. Highlighted by the Catoctin Mountains and the Potomac River, our 90 national, state, county, and municipal park facilities offer a wide variety of recreational activities such as swimming, boating, camping, skating, horseback riding, and nature programs in environments ranging from urban city parks to wilderness reserves. Wonderful outdoor experiences are to be enjoyed in every season.

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Appalachian Trail Conservancy
40 miles of the 2,184-mile Appalachian Trail follow the western border of Frederick County, much of it along South Mountain. A popular place to begin exploring the trail is at Gathland State Park (see Civil War) near Burkittsville. ATC Headquarters visitor center and trail store is located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

799 Washington St.
P.O. Box 807
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

(304) 535-6331
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Baker Park
Downtown Frederick's 44-acre park features a carillon, band shell, tennis courts, softball and baseball field, Culler Lake, a public swimming pool, and numerous playgrounds for children. Park features concerts and children's theater in the summer and numerous outdoor events throughout the year.

121 N. Bentz St.
Frederick, MD 21701

(301) 600-1492
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center
Catoctin Creek Park is 139 acres of fun waiting for you to explore.  The park has a nature center with two program rooms and a Discovery Room for your own drop in adventure.  The facility and the park hours vary, so please contact the Parks and Recreation for more details at 301-600-1646, or visit us on the website www.recreater.com.  The Nature Center hosts birthday parties, school group activities, and camps/programs for all ages throughout the year. 

2929 Summantown Rd.
Middletown, MD 21769

(301) 600-2050
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Catoctin Mountain Park
The Catoctin Mountain offer a wealth of scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, historic buildings, hiking trails, scenic drives, camping, and fly-fishing. Looking for something different? Try spending the night in a historic cabin in Camp Misty Mount; for reservations call (301) 271-3140. Pets, on leashes, are permitted in outdoor areas but not in buildings.

6602 Foxville Rd.
Thurmont, MD 21788

(301) 663-9388
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Cunningham Falls State Park
The park, located west of Thurmont, is named for a 78-foot cascading waterfall. Hiking, swimming, hunting, fishing, picnicking, boating, playgrounds, 13 camper cabins, and 180 campsites in two areas available seasonally. The William Houck area has a 43 acre lake and trail to the Falls; Manor area includes Catoctin Furnace. Some facilities are handicapped accessible.

14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd.
Thurmont, MD 21788

(301) 271-7574
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center
Tucked away, west of Walkersville, is the beautiful 22.5 acre Fountain Rock Park. It contains one of Maryland's strongest springs, from which 3.25 million gallons of water may flow per day.

8511 Nature Center Place
Walkersville, MD 21793

(301) 600-1646
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Gambrill State Park
Gambrill State Park, located west of Frederick, provides miles of hiking, biking, and horse trails with stunning overlooks of the surrounding area. A 34-campsite, four-camper cabin campground is available seasonally. See beautiful views from three overlooks, picnic shelters for rent, and the Tearoom, available for reservations. Some facilities are handicapped accessible.

8602 Gambrill Park Rd.
Frederick, MD 21701

(301) 271-7574
(888) 432-2267
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Gathland State Park

A unique War Correspondent's Memorial Arch, constructed by journalist and author George Alfred Townsend. On his former estate, the George Alfred Townsend Museum is open weekends. Apr-Oct 12-5pm. Hike through the park on the Appalachian Trail. Picnic pavilion. Periodic Civil War living histories and encampments. One building is handicapped accessible.

900 Arnoldstown Rd.
Burkittsville, MD 21718

(301) 791-4767
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Greenbrier State Park
43-acre lake provides swimming, fishing and boating. Park also offers picnicking, camping and nature trails.

21843 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713

(301) 791-4767
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

Harpers Ferry Adventure Center - formerly BTI Whitewater / Butts Tubes
Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is located at the northern tip of Loudoun County. We offer a wide range of exciting and inexpensive outdoor adventures including: whitewater rafting, tubing, zipline, kayaking, canoeing, team building, fishing, hiking, and camping and cabin accommodations. Spend the entire day having fun in the sun on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. The retail shop carries the area's largest selection of Crocs and Ocean Minded flip flops, as well as a huge inventory of souvenir shirts, hats, and stickers. Only 1.5hrs from Washington, D.C. , and Baltimore, adventures and custom package trips are closer than you think.

10987 Harpers Ferry Rd.
Purcellville, VA 20132

(540) 668-9007
(800) 836-9911
Website | Map It! | Driving Directions

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