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Elevation: 1,606 ft 490 m
GPS: 39.5998, -77.45156
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Shared By: Chris Peterson on Nov 21, 2016 · Updates
Admins: Frances Fierst, C S

Description Suggest change

Cunningham Falls State Park is located in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. It is divided into two separate areas: the William Houck Area on Route 77 has the lake area, falls, and camping and picnic areas. The Manor Area off Route 15 features camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace.

Outdoor activity is everywhere at Cunningham Falls State Park. Leisure opportunities like swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing are available. Known bouldering areas are along the Lower Trail and Cliff Trail from the Houck area to the park's eponymous falls, but outcroppings and boulders beckon from deeper in the woods. Much of the park is accessible only via trails or bushwhacking scrambles.

The Thurmont Watershed is included here for geological, geographical, and access reasons. TWS is almost entirely surrounded by Cunningham Falls State park and is located in the North East corner of the park. The area is mostly know for hunting and fishing though more hikers and climbers are discovering it. Access to several climbing areas is just one exit north of the Manor Area off of Route 15. This is a non-fee area.

This area has no known guide though Mountain Projects' community can boast over 100 bouldering and TR climbs.

Park Map: dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclan…

Getting There Suggest change

Cunningham Falls Park has two areas with facilities.

The Manor Area is located directly off of the Scenic Byway (US 15). Follow US 15 North from Frederick. The turnoff is well marked and is just past Catoctin Furnace. If you come to Thurmont exits, you've gone too far. No routes are known in this area but exploration is suggested. On the uphill side of the camping loop is a well used trail heading uphill. A 5-10 walk will lead to a small outcrop of rock. There may be short TR and some bouldering problems in the area. There is a $3 day fee drop box.

The William Houck area is a little deeper in the mountains, but features many of the known routes and problems of the park. To get to Cunningham Falls parking lot, from Foxhill Rd (77) turn left onto Catoctin Hollow Rd, then right on North Beach Circle. Lot is on left side after you pass South Beach Circle. $3 per vehicle at kiosk on honor system.

The Thurmont Watershed Area is accessed via fire road that terminates at Pryor Rd. From the south on Route 15, make a left onto Pryor rd, one exit North of the Manor Area exit. Go <  0.2 miles to the unmarked paved driveway on the left. Plenty of shoulder parking. From the North make a right at the Pryor Rd one exit South of Thurmont Blvd. At the stop sign make a left onto Pryor Rd. The fire road is 200 ft on the right.  There is no fee.

196 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Cunningham Falls State Park

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5
 58
Ground Squirrel Don't Care
Boulder
V1 5
 6
Awe at all Angles
Boulder
V2 5+
 31
Squirrel variation
Boulder
V3 6A
 40
Vasectomy
Boulder
V3 6A
 34
Lego Harry Potter
Boulder
V3 6A
 35
Moral Relativity
Boulder
V4 6B
 32
Flying Squirrel
Boulder
V4 6B
 36
Belly Up
Boulder
V4 6B
 36
The Dish (Right Exit)
Boulder
V5 6C
 73
The Belly
Boulder
V5 6C
 62
The Dish
Boulder
V6 7A
 4
Dab Sit Sit
Boulder
V7- 7A+
 31
Baron Harkonnen
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 4
Taiya’s Tiger
TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 17
Captive Corner
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Ground Squirrel Don't Care Cliff Trail Boulders
 58
V1 5 Boulder
Awe at all Angles Thurmont Waters… > TWS Rocks - > 1 The Bouldering Pit
 6
V1 5 Boulder
Squirrel variation Cliff Trail Boulders
 31
V2 5+ Boulder
Vasectomy Cliff Trail Boulders
 40
V3 6A Boulder
Lego Harry Potter Cliff Trail Boulders
 34
V3 6A Boulder
Moral Relativity Cliff Trail Boulders
 35
V3 6A Boulder
Flying Squirrel Cliff Trail Boulders
 32
V4 6B Boulder
Belly Up Cliff Trail Boulders
 36
V4 6B Boulder
The Dish (Right Exit) Cliff Trail Boulders
 36
V4 6B Boulder
The Belly Cliff Trail Boulders
 73
V5 6C Boulder
The Dish Cliff Trail Boulders
 62
V5 6C Boulder
Dab Sit Sit Cliff Trail Boulders
 4
V6 7A Boulder
Baron Harkonnen Cliff Trail Boulders
 31
V7- 7A+ Boulder
Taiya’s Tiger Thurmont Waters… > TWS Rocks - > 6 Four Aretes
 4
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b TR
Captive Corner Thurmont Waters… > TWS Rocks - > 3 The Roof Arete
 17
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
More Classic Climbs in Cunningham Falls State Park »

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