Catoctin Mountain Park
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Catoctin Mountain Park at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Hike to Thurmont Vista: The Pink Blazed Trail
- Nearby city
- Thurmont, MD
Explore this park
About Catoctin Mountain Park
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created programs to give people a chance to rebuild their lives from the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps gave this land a second opportunity and through re-growth, a new role as a recreation area.
No current NPS alerts
The National Park Service has no active alerts listed for Catoctin Mountain Park. Conditions change quickly — check again before you go.
Source: National Park Service (as of Oct 27, 2026). Official Catoctin Mountain Park page on nps.gov
Weather Information
- Spring
41°F – 63°F
- Summer
61°F – 81°F
- Fall
45°F – 64°F
- Winter
24°F – 41°F
Fall foliage is at its peak in mid-October Winter snowfall is between 5-12" per month. Average precipitation is approximately 4 inches per month. (Source: usclimatedata.com)
Operating Hours
Hiking trails and parking areas are open year round, dawn to dusk, but may close as a result of security or safety concerns. Consult the park's website for updates: http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm. The visitor center, camps, and campgrounds have separate hours. Please see descriptions for those facilities elsewhere.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
- WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
- ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
- FridaySunrise to Sunset
- SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
- SundaySunrise to Sunset
Common questions
Planning Catoctin Mountain Park
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Catoctin Mountain Park. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
