Adirondack Shelters

Show on map 301-663-9388 cato_campmanager@nps.gov

Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788

Overview

The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provides a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape.

Recreation

The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. Watching birds (aka "birding") is a popular form of wildlife observation. Catoctin offers a 25-mile (40 km) hiking trail system, fishing, picnicking, and frontcountry cabins and campgrounds in addition to the more primitive Adirondack shelters.

Facilities

This is a rustic backcountry area with no vehicle access or potable water. There is one rustic pit toilet available. Campers must carry adequate drinking water and supplies and pack trash out at the conclusion of their stay. The two shelters are several hundred feet apart, making them close enough for groups to use both, but far enough away to offer privacy. The sites are available year-round and can accommodate five campers. Tents or temporary structures are not permitted inside the shelters or surrounding area. Campfire rings are provided.

Natural Features

Located about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park lies within the mountainous Blue Ridge Province of north-central Maryland. Scenic overlooks extend across the Monocacy Valley.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (301) 663-9388.

Nearby Attractions

Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling. Or tour historic Camp Misty Mount, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Camp site features

Across 2 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 2 sites
Largest party: 5 people

Fees

Shelters are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made through recreation.gov online and $10 if made at recreation.gov’s call center, (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international) 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone).

Directions

Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 miles (8 km) to Foxville Deerfield Road. Turn right. Turn Right onto Manahan Road and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area. You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of 3 miles (4.8 km). GPS coordinates for Shelter #1 are 39° 40' 37.8001" N 77° 29' 3.8000" W Shelter #2 is nearby (visible from) Shelter #1. Hikers: protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing the shelters or other park features. Obtain trail maps at the park Visitor Center or download them from the Catoctin Mountain Park Hiking web page. Hilly terrain and the forest canopy can prevent satellite signals from reaching your unit increasing the importance of a back-up strategy.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

40 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Daniel S

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Reviewed 3 months ago

Exactly as advertised. Very peaceful in July.

Joshua M

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Reviewed 4 months ago

The site is excellent. There’s a small creek a few hundred feet away from the shelter for access to water if you have a filter and purification tablets or plan to boil the water. The hike isn’t too bad, there’s a few uphill sections that are tough but the uphill sections are relatively short. There is plenty of parking. The outhouse is nice but best used with the door open. A lot of privacy and tons of trails around to explore.

Joseph R

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Reviewed 6 months ago

Great times using a fantastic resource. Thank you for maintaining these shelters and sites for us all to use.

Adrian O

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Reviewed 7 months ago

The shelter and area was clean. Remember to bring your own toilet paper for the outhouse. Great morning chorus of bird songs.

Michael K

Loop:Adirondack Shelters

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Reviewed 2 years ago

All conditions as promised. Trails nearby well marked.

MICHAEL O

Loop:Adirondack Shelters

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Reviewed 3 years ago

Hiked with my wife and 2 kids (ages 8 and 11). The trip was perfect. Just challenging enough for them and with easy road access in case it was needed. We brought a tent but were grateful for the shelter and the hikers before us who had stashed wood to dry as it began to rain during the last 30 minutes. This turned into a spectacular lightning storm at night that we piled into the tent door to watch. What a magical place,

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 3% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 3 years of reservations.