Cunningham Falls State Park lake beach and falls

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Cunningham Falls State Park lake beach and falls

Photo: United States. National Park Service · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

🏖️ Beach · Thurmont

4 hours · $ · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 2.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 60 min drive
    From Rockville · Parking: William Houck area lot, about $5 per person (MD residents) on summer weekends, closes when full
  • 🎒
    Carrier recommended
    Terrain isn't stroller-friendly; a carrier is easier
  • 🌳
    Some shade
    Handles heat · Great on sunny days · Good on cool days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 4 hours
    Best seasons: Summer · Fall

Hunting Creek Lake in the Catoctin Mountains has a sandy beach and shallow water, lifeguards in summer, and pedal boat rentals; a nearly flat 0.5-mile Lower Trail leads to Maryland's tallest waterfall, a 78-foot cascade where kids can climb the rocks at its foot.

💡 Tips
The falls stretch has a boardwalk but no strollers, so use a carrier. Arrive before 10am on summer weekends; the gate closes when the lot fills. Worth a trip in fall color season too, with the apple orchards in Thurmont on the way.

What this place offers

✓lake beach
✓waterfall
✓lifeguards
✓boat rentals
✓picnic
✓restrooms
✓forest

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Thurmont

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️
Sat 10/17
Drizzle · 38–53°F · 23% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 35–57°F · 3% rain

Location

Thurmont, Maryland

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