Cunningham Falls State Park

Hike to Maryland's largest cascading waterfall, then swim or paddle Hunting Creek Lake in the Catoctin Mountains west of Thurmont.

14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788 · Thurmont, MD

About Cunningham Falls State Park

Cunningham Falls State Park holds the 78-foot Cunningham Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, and 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake, where you can swim, fish and paddle (electric motors only). The William Houck Area on Route 77 has the lake, the falls trailhead and a campground; the Manor Area off Route 15 has a reptile and bird aviary and the ruins of the Catoctin Iron Furnace, which made iron from 1776 to 1903. In summer the lake area charges per person: $3 or $5 on weekdays and $5 or $7 on weekends, for Maryland residents and others. The park often fills on weekends, and cell service is poor.

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What's around here?

The closest stops to Cunningham Falls State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
Catoctin Mountain Park
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Sightseeing
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Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
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Check prices
Hike Maryland's 40-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail along South Mountain to overlooks like Annapolis Rocks, High Rock and Weverton Cliffs.
9.9 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
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Under $25
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Sightseeing
Local Gem
Hagerstown, Maryland
No admission fee
A Western Maryland city surrounded by Civil War battlefields, state parks, and the Appalachian Trail.
Transit: reachable by public transit
14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Attractions
Family Favorite
Crystal Grottoes
Under $25
Take a guided 40-minute walk through Maryland's only show cave, past white stalactites, draperies and the red-tinted passages called Fairyland.
15 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions