There are a handful of parks in Maryland that truly have everything you could need for a truly magical day out, and in this case potentially even a few days out. Cunningham Falls State Park is located in the picturesque Catoctin Mountains. Cunningham Falls has campgrounds, hiking trails, a beach, a 43-acre swimming lake, pedal boat rentals, playgrounds, and more. To top it off it is also home to the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland. The trail to the falls was easy and kid-friendly. We spent an hour playing in the streams after visiting the falls and then we played on the beach for a bit before topping it off with a pedal boat rental and some ice cream. Get there early as it can get crowded. We did not camp here, but I have heard great things about the camping experience.
The William Houck Campground and Manor Area Campground are open, but you should make a reservation online or by calling 1-888-432-2267, as the campgrounds often fill to capacity. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for swimmers’ safety.
Address: 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788
Cost: It was $5 a car when we went
Distance from Annapolis: An hour and 15 minutes
By Frank Bolinsky, Parks & Rec Contributor
