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Catoctin Trail permit area in Cunningham Falls State Park (MD) - backcountry hiking destination
Booked one camp per night, in order

Catoctin Trail Permit

Cunningham Falls State Park (MD) · Maryland

The Catoctin Trail runs about 26.6 miles across Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Gambrill State Park in Maryland. Camping at the two state parks books through Maryland State Parks; this page sells a cancellation alert on that reservation.

Get an alert when a night opens on your Catoctin Trail dates.

Get alerts for your Catoctin Trail nights

A Catoctin Trail reservation is a sequence of nights, and each night books a camp.

Give us your trip window and we check every night of it across all camps on this permit, then tell you the moment nights open.

Cover the whole trip, plus any spare days you could shift onto. A wider window catches more openings.

The window above is how much time you have to work with. This is how many nights the trip itself takes. Leave it blank and we'll check every night in the window. We alert you when 2 or more nights in a row open.

Party

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Catoctin Trail were gone within 5 minutes.

Catoctin Trail reservation dates

route distance, point to point
26.6mi

Catoctin Trail elevation profile

Gambrill State Park (southern trailhead) to Mt. Zion Road (northern trailhead)
Gambrill State Park (southern trailhead) on the Catoctin Trail
Trailhead

Gambrill State Park (southern trailhead)

The Catoctin Trail's southern terminus; the trail crosses about 3.0 miles of Gambrill State Park.

Mile 0 of 26.6
0 Gambrill State Park (southern trailhead)26.6 Mt. Zion Road (northern trailhead)
Mile
0
Elevation
≈1,569 ft

Catoctin Trail landmarks

How to get a Catoctin Trail permit

As of September 2026, Catoctin Trail in Cunningham Falls State Park (MD), Maryland requires a permit issued via reservation. Catoctin Trail rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Catoctin Trail permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Catoctin Trail route covers 26.6 miles, rated moderate.

Type
Backpacking
Location
Catoctin Mountain, Frederick County, Maryland, MD

  1. Step 1: Create a Maryland State Parks account

    Sign up at Maryland State Parks if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Maryland State Parks
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

Catoctin Trail pro tips

  1. Cunningham Falls State Park's Manor Area (parkId 380105) and Gambrill State Park (parkId 380110) both book through Maryland State Parks' reservation system.
  2. The Catoctin Mountain Park section (NPS) is a separate agency; Owens Creek Campground there books through Recreation.gov.

More on Catoctin Trail: Live availability activityWhen Catoctin Trail permits open upCatoctin Trail permit itinerary

How much a Catoctin Trail permit costs

Catoctin Trail permit fee: Nightly campsite fee through Maryland State Parks (confirm current rate at booking).

The Catoctin Trail hike

Distance
26.6 miles
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
2 days
Difficulty
Moderate

A 26.6-mile ridge trail across three Catoctin Mountain land units in Maryland.

About this permit

The Catoctin Trail links Gambrill State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, and Catoctin Mountain Park across Maryland's Catoctin Mountain. No permit is required to hike it; an overnight stop at a state park campground needs its own reservation.

The route

From Gambrill State Park, the trail crosses about 3 miles of the park before entering the Frederick City Watershed on its way to the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park, the usual overnight stop around mile 16.6. The trail then enters Catoctin Mountain Park and ends at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles north of Owens Creek Campground.

The feeling

The trail crosses Gambrill State Park, the Frederick City municipal watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park, and a stretch of NPS-managed Catoctin Mountain Park before ending near Owens Creek.

How hard the Catoctin Trail hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5

Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.

Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.

Trailhead information

Gambrill State Park

Primary
  • No restrooms
  • No water

Trailhead information

Mt. Zion Road

  • No restrooms
  • No water

When to hike Catoctin Trail

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

🌧️

60°

56°

53%

Mon

🌧️

63°

55°

Tue

🌧️

70°

57°

Wed

☁️

76°

54°

Thu

☁️

83°

56°

Fri

🌧️

75°

56°

Sat

☁️

57°

44°

28%

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Catoctin Trail rules, gear and safety

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Camping is not allowed on the trail itself, only at a designated campground

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Catoctin Trail.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Catoctin Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Catoctin Trail FAQ

Can I camp anywhere along the Catoctin Trail?

No. Camping is not allowed on the trail itself. Backpackers stop at a designated campground, most often the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park around mile 16.6.

How long is the Catoctin Trail?

26.6 miles, from Gambrill State Park to Mt. Zion Road near Catoctin Mountain Park.

Do I need a permit to hike the Catoctin Trail?

No permit is required to day hike or through-hike it. If you camp overnight at a state park campground along the way, that campsite needs its own reservation.

How many days does it take to hike the Catoctin Trail?

Most backpackers do it as a 2-day trip with one overnight stop.

Where does the Catoctin Trail start and end?

It starts at Gambrill State Park near Frederick and ends at Mt. Zion Road, just north of Catoctin Mountain Park, 1.3 miles past Owens Creek Campground.

Can I leave my car overnight at the Catoctin Trail trailhead?

Not at Gambrill State Park's trail system parking area - cars cannot be left there overnight. Check current trailhead parking rules before an overnight trip.

Catoctin Trail trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

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Trip Reports

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Alternatives to a Catoctin Trail permit

Where to stay near Catoctin Trail

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