In association with Hikercentral.com
and Goingoutside.com
In association with Hikercentral.com
and Goingoutside.com
Me and my friends made this website for all outdoors people to check out so check it out.
All this stuff should be in your canoe every time you go to the backcountry.
| MULTI PURPOSE TOOL | It's a good idea to have two multipurpose tools, one small one with the bare essentials that you always carry in your pocket and one larger one with more features that you carry in your pack. | |
| RUBBING ALCOHOL | I'm not a great proponent of chemicals but rubbing alcohol is an exception. It's very important to have some handy. | |
| DUCT TAPE | Perfect for fixing a broken shoe or to fix supports around a broken leg. Even if you don't break your legs or your shoes, duct tape will still come in handy for fixing pretty much anything. | |
| TARP | As any paddler knows, a tarp is incredibly useful. You can make a simple shelter with it to sleep under. I normally don't bring a tent with me, I just sleep under the stars. But once in a while the weather turns ugly and then that tarp is real good to have around. | |
| STEEL WIRE | You can do a lot of repairs with some steel wire. | |
| FIRST AID KIT | First aid kits are great to have if someone gets hurt. | |
| STOVE | The Trailstove is the best camp stove there is and one of the cheapest too. It runs on wood, it is incredibly simple, there's absolutely nothing that could go wrong with it. |
DEADFALL TRAP
This type of trap is very effective but it will kill the animal that gets caught in the trap, so if you decide not to eat it you killed an animal for nothing. Only make a deadfall trap in an emergency.
You need the following things: A heavy log, a round rock, a sturdy stick about 1 to 2 feet long, a thinner stiff stick about a foot long.
Lift one end of the log up and support it with the sturdy stick. The sturdy stick in turn should be standing on top of the round rock. One end of the smaller stiff stick is placed between the rock and the sturdy stick, the other end should be suspended in the air right under the log, the stiff stick should be roughly horizontal.
Carefully place the bait on the stiff stick.
To make the trap
more stable and more difficult to trigger you can cut the part of the stiff bait
stick flat where it rests between the rock and the sturdy stick. You can also
cut the bottom of the sturdy stick flat, it all depends on what size animal you
are trying to kill.
Thurmont, MD
In the 1930's, after years of making charcoal to fuel the iron furnace, mountain farming, and harvesting of trees for timber, land was purchased to be transformed into a productive recreation area; helping to put people back to work during the great depression. Beginning in 1935, the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area was under construction by both the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally planned to provide recreational camps for federal employees, one of the camps eventually became the home of the Presidential retreat, Camp David. The Presidential retreat is not open or accessible to the public, but the eastern hardwood forest of Catoctin Mountain Park has many other attractions for visitors: camping, picnicking, fishing, 25 miles of hiking trails, scenic mountain vistas, all await your exploration.
CONTACTS
Email - CATO_Superintendent@nps.gov
Fax- 301-271-2764
Write to
6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788-1598
Phone
Visitor Information (TTY) -
301-663-9388
Headquarters - 301-663-9330
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours,
Seasons
Park is open year-round during daylight hours.
Visitor Center hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:00am to 4:30pm; Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30am to 5:00pm; closed for the following winter federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, President's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
Owens Creek Campground open April 15 through the 3rd Sunday in November.
Camp Misty Mount, a family cabin rental facility, is open from April 15th through the end of October.
Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping Area is closed from March 1st through April 15th.
Getting There
PLANE - Catoctin Mountain Park is approximately
1 hour and 15 minutes from Dullas International Ariport in Northern
Virginia, approximately 1 1/2 hours from Regan National Airport in
Washington, DC, and approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from
Baltimore/Washington International Airport near Baltimore, MD.
CAR - In MD from Route 15 North, exit onto Route 77 West. Go approximately 3 miles, turn Right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
From Hagerstown, MD, take Route 77 East. Turn left onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
From Gettysburg, PA, take Route 15 south, exit onto Route 77 West, go approximately 3 miles, turn right onto Park Central Road and the visitor center is on the right.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to or in Catoctin Mountain Park.
Accessibility
The park Visitor Center is fully accessible and
two trails, the Spicebush Nature Trail and the Sawmill Trail. Please refer
to our expanded web pages for more information.
Getting Around
Since there is no public transportation to or
within Catoctin Mountain Park, a vehicle is necessary. Most of the hiking
trails are accessed from the park Visitor Center.
FEES/PERMITS
Permits
ADIRONDACK
SHELTERS
Free! for 7 Days
Year-round, hike in camping can be
found at the Adirondack Shelters located on the northern tip of the Horse
Trail. Each of the two 3-sided shelters, similar to those on the
Appalachian Trail, can accomodate up to 5 people. Campers must stay in the
shelter and may not erect tents near the shelter or on the trail thus
minimizing impact on park resources. A primitive otilet per provided.
Permits for the Adirondack Shelters are issued free of charge at the
Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis, 10:00am until 4:30pm
Mon-Fri, and 8:30am until 5pm weekends. Permittees must be at least 18
years old.
ROCK CLIMBING
Free! for Day
A rock
climbing permit may only be issued for Wolf Rock. All other areas within
the park are closed to rock climbing and rappelling. Climbing helmets are
required.
CAMPING
Camp Misty
Mount
Enjoy rustic cabin camping at historic Camp Misty Mount. The
Works Progress Administration completed construction of the 30-acre camp
in 1937. The cabins were constructed in the "rustic architecture" style
using local materials, specifically American Chestnut. Originally designed
as an organized camp for use by groups, Misty Mount today is available for
rent to both individuals and groups. Cabins are equipped with single metal
cots with mattresses. Flush toilets and hot showers are centrally located.
Each cabin has a picnic table, grill and fire circle.
For More
Information on this campground please call
301-271-3140
Owens Creek Campground
Sites available on a
first come, first served basis. $14.00 per night site fee. Five people or
the immediate household per site. Each of the 51 wooded sites is equipped
with a picnic table, grill, lantern post and tent pad. While there are no
hook-ups, flush toilets are provided in each of the 2 comfort stations, 1
of which has hot showers. Maximum tent size is 9'x12'. Multiple tents are
permitted but must fit on the 9'x12'tent pad, and must not exceed 108
square feet per site. Towed trailers up to 22' in length and motor homes
of any size are accepted. Pets are permitted on leash.
For More
Information on this campground please call
301-663-9388
Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Camping
Area
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Poplar Grove
is open to adult supervised organized youth groups whose members are under
age 18. There are 3 sites within Poplar Grove. Each site accommodates up
to 25 people. Groups share pit toilets, water, and a pavilion. Each site
has picnic tables, grills, and a fire circle. Groups provide all personal
convenience items including toilet paper, and are responsible for their
own trash removal. Reservations are required. $20.00 per night per site.
For More Information on this campground please call (301)
663-9388
LODGING
Camp Greentop
Camp
Greentop can accommodate 140 people and is set up in units of cabins.
There are lights in each cabin, but there are no electric outlets. Cots
and mattresses are provided. Sleeping cabins are not heated! There is one
latrine to each unit. Each latrine has 3 flush toilets and 3 showers with
hot and cold water. The central shower house has 12 showers and 5 fluch
toilets. Campers bring all gear including food, utensils, cookware,
detergents, toilet paper and toilet articles, bedding, etc. Groups do
their own cooking in the Dining Hall. The only fireplaces that may be used
are in the Dining Hall and the Recreation Hall, all others are prohibited
from use. It is the responsiblity of the group using the facility to see
that the camp is left in a clean and orderly condition. There is a field
area available for recreation, sports, etc. There is one swimming pool at
the camp however, it is NOT available to weekend groups. Application forms
may be obtained by writing to Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road,
Thurmont, MD 21788-1598, or by calling the Administration Office at (301)
663-9330. For price information and application dates, please refer to our
expanded web page at: http://www.nps.gov.cato/group.htm
For More
Information on this lodging please call (301) 663-9330
Camp
Round Meadow
Open All Year
Camp Round Meadow accommodates a
maximum of 120 people. At no time may this limit be exceeded. There are 4
dormitories, each sleeping 30 people. Cots and mattresses are provided.
Campers bring all gear including detergents, toilet paper and toilet
articles, bedding, etc. The dormitory bathrooms have electric outlets.
Personal care appliances are permitted in the bathrooms, but not in the
dorms. Each lavatory in the dormitories has 2 showers and 2 flush toilets.
All have hot and cold water. A kitchen and dining hall is available for
use be groups for an additional fee. Groups bring all dishes, utensils,
cookware and supplies. Preparation of food by groups is permitted or
groups may utilize near-by caterers. There is a small outside court with a
tennis net, volleyball net, and basketball backboards. There is an outside
fire circle near the court. A small grassy area near a dorm provides
limited area for frisbee and other lawn games, excluding lawn darts and
horseshoes. A gym and conference room is available for an addition fee.
Application forms may be obtained by writing Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602
Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788-1598, or by calling the Administration
Office at (301) 663-9330. Visit our web site for more information, fee
schedule, and application dates: http://www.nps.gov/cato/group.htm
For More Information on this lodging please call (301)
663-9330
FACILITIES
Visitor
Centers
VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
10:00am-4:30pm
Phone - 301-663-9388
Location - From
Highway 15 North, exit onto MD State Route 77 west, approximately 3.5
miles turn right onto Park Central Road and turn right into the Visitor
Center parking lot.
Closures - Closed for the following winter
federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday,
President's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas
Day.
Exhibits - The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center
includes a small exhibit area featuring native wildlife and cultural
history. Charcoal Industry as related to the Catoctin Iron Furnace located
in neighboring Cunningham Falls State Park, Whiskey Still Industry,
Sawmill Industry, and local farming are featured.
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