Gambrill State Park

Drive up Catoctin Mountain to the stone overlooks on 1,600-foot High Knob, then hike or mountain bike 16 miles of rocky trails above Frederick.

8602 Gambrill Park Road, Frederick, MD 21702 · Frederick, MD

About Gambrill State Park

Gambrill State Park sits on the ridge of Catoctin Mountain about six miles west of Frederick. On 1,600-foot High Knob, three stone overlooks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s look over the Frederick and Middletown valleys toward South Mountain. More than 16 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking start at a trailhead lot on Gambrill Park Road; most are rocky and rated moderate to hard, but the White Oak Trail is an easy one-mile loop. The Rock Run area has a campground and a small fishing pond that needs no license. Day use is $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for out-of-state visitors.

#state park
#hiking
#mountain biking
#scenic overlook
#camping

What's around here?

The closest stops to Gambrill 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.

Sightseeing
Local Gem
Frederick, Maryland
No admission fee
A walkable historic downtown of red-brick rowhouses, clustered church spires, and a lively arts and dining scene an hour from DC.
Transit: reachable by public transit
5.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Sightseeing
History Buff
Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
No admission fee
Maryland heritage area covering Civil War sites across Frederick, Carroll and Washington counties, including Antietam.
Transit: reachable by public transit
5.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Theater & Events
Local Gem
Weinberg Center for the Arts
$25–$50
Restored 1,143-seat 1920s movie palace in downtown Frederick hosting concerts, comedy, dance and film.
Transit: reachable by public transit
5.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Theater & Events
Sports & Outdoors
Washington Monument State Park
Check prices
A hilltop state park on South Mountain whose centerpiece is a stone tower honoring George Washington.
7.2 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
South Mountain State Park
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.
7.4 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Greenbrier State Park
Under $25
A Maryland state park on South Mountain with a 42-acre lake, sandy beach, campground, and hiking trails.
8.3 mi awayMore like this