--- CUNNINGHAM FALLS STATE PARK & CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK ---

President Franklin Roosevelt's called the place "Shangri-La". President George Bush today calls it Camp David. The place is the presidential retreat, located in the Catoctin Mountains. In the 1930's, the retreat was part of an original tract which included the two parks. Today, Camp David is considered part of Catoctin Mountain Park. You can not visit Camp David unless you are foreign dignitary, but you can visit the Cunningham Falls-Catoctin Mountain Parks. The national and state parks are divided by Md. Rt. 77. The northern 5,000 acres is the Catoctin Mountain Park, administered by the National Park Service. The southern 5,000 acres is Cunningham Falls State Park.

The state park has the 78 foot Cunningham Falls, which cascades over ledges on its way down the mountain. It is a short distance from Md. Rt. 77, with a small parking area reserved for the handicap. To reach the Falls, you have to enter the park, and walk the 1/2 mile lower trail or the 4/5 mile cliff trial.

The State Park is divided into 2 areas-the Houck Area, off of Rt. 77, and the Manor Area, south of Houck and Thurmont, directly off US 15.

The Houck area has the Falls and a 44 acre fresh water lake with lifeguarded swimming. There is a boat-launching ramp for private boats. Canoes, rowboats, and Jon boats are available for rent. You can fish from a boat or the shore. A Maryland fishing license is required. The lake is a nice peaceful spot, and does not suffer from crowds.

Camping is available in both areas of the state park. The Houck Area has 140 campsites and the Manor Area has with 31 campsites. The federal park has 51 sites at the Owens Creek Campground. Unlike the state park, reservations are not accepted. In the autumn, when the leaves are changing colors, these three campgrounds are the places to be.

The Catoctin Park offers 25 miles of hiking trails with most of the scenic views. The major trails are-Chimney Rock, Hog Rock, Wolf Rock, Blue Ridge Summit Overlook, and Thurmont Vista. These are 1 to 2 mile hikes, with the trail heads on Md Rt. 77. The state park offers Cat Rock with its beautiful overlook. The National Park allows rock climbing only at Wolf Rock, by permit only. Do visit the Parks. They are a short drive from Frederick on US 15 to Md Rt. 77, Thurmont.

Contact: Cunningham Falls State Park, 301-271-7574, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunninghamfalls.html Catoctin Mountain Park, 301-663-9388, www.nps.gov/cato