Cunningham Falls State Park has Something for Everyone!

from Gateway 2021

by Frederick News-Post

Thurmont Skatepark

Cunningham Falls State Park has

Enjoy Kayaking on the lake at Cunningham Falls State Park.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

By Edison Hatter

Cunningham Falls State Park is located just a stone’s throw away from the Thurmont Town Square in the heart of the beautiful Catoctin Mountains. The Park is divided into two unique areas: the William Houck Area is located on Route 77 and contains the lake, falls, and camping area, while the Manor Area is located offof Route 15 and includes the Scales and Tales Aviary, further camping areas, and the Catoctin Iron Furnace. The Park is open year-round- from 8 a.m. to sunset from April to October and 10 a.m. to sunset from November to March. The Park is picturesque to visit regardless of the time of year; the sparkling snowfall coats the park into a winter wonderland during winter months, the reemergence of life and the blooming of flowers makes for an amazing spring backdrop, the falls provide a great swimming location to cool off during the hot summer, and the foliage in the fall makes for a colorful background.

There are so many activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy at Cunningham Falls State Park. The obvious highlight of the park is the Cunningham Falls, which checks in as the highest waterfall in the state of Maryland with an approximate height of 78 feet! Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park and there are many different hiking trails to explore. Some are short, like the half-mile Lower Trail that is easy to traverse and ends

Cunningham Falls State Park is home to the highest cascading waterfall in the state of Maryland.

right at the Falls, while others are much longer and tougher, like the challenging 7.5 mile Cat Rock Hike.

Swimming is another popular activity at the park and a great way to cool offafter completing a hike. Swimming is permitted at designated locations around the lake area between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Lifeguards are generally on duty daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., but visitors this summer should be aware that

A Beach meets the Mountain at Cunningham Falls State Park.

lifeguards are not on a regular schedule due to COVID-19 staffing shortages. Picnic tables and grills are conveniently located near the lake on a first come, first served basis. While these tables and grills do not any type of cover or shelter, there is a covered pavilion in the Manor Area that holds 150 people and is available by reservation. During the summer

months in particular, it is recommended to arrive early to swim or claim a picnic table as the park occasionally reaches capacity by mid to late morning, especially on holidays and weekends. Boating, fishing, and hunting are three more Fishing at Cunningham Falls State Park is a catch and release trout of the most popular stream and limited to artificial fly fishing only. activities in the park. There is a boat ramp available for a nominal fee for launching private watercraft onto Hunting Creek Lake and a nearby boat rental service is available during the summer months. There are opportunities galore for fishermen within the park, but potential anglers should be aware of all relevant regulations regarding fishing licenses and fishing limits and rules. Throughout the park, fishermen can expect to find trout, bass, bluegills, sunfish, crappie, and catfish. For visitors in the fall season, hunting is permitted on a massive 4,400-acre area of wildland. Like fishers, hunters should be aware of all rules and regulations and should consult the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for season dates and bag limits. Reservations are required for all hunters.

For overnight visitors, there are campgrounds located in both areas of the park. Additionally, eight camper cabins are located in the William Houck Campground. Regardless of the time of year, Cunningham Falls State Park is a must visit destination in the Thurmont area; for further information, visit https:// dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/ cunningham.aspx. (All photos courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

(717)-597-5997 www.klinetours.net

ThanksforvotingKlineTours #1inthe Journal’sReadersChoiceand#1BestBusTour CompanyintheHeraldMailBestoftheBest.

SMOKYMOUNTAINADVENTURE

Pigeon ForgeandGatlinburg Sunday–ThursdaySeptember 12-16$969perperson(double occupancy).Includes:, 8Meals,.5 Shows:Hatfield &McCoyDinner Feud,ComedyBarn,Country Tonight,SmokyMountainOpry, andDolly Parton’sPirates Voyage dinnershow. TourofSmoky Mountains, Titanic,Dollywood Admission. BRANSONADVENTURE 5 days/4nightsSundaySeptember 26-FridaySeptember30$1689 perperson(doubleoccupancy). roundtripmotorcoachtoBWI, roundtripnonstopairtoSt. Louis,motorcoachfromSt.Louis toBranson,deluxemotorcoach throughoutyourtour,fournights lodging at HotelGrandVictorian inBranson,ninemeals,seven showsincludingSix at Dick Clark’sAmericanBandstand Theater,ClayCooper’sCountry Express,Dublin’sIrish Tenors &TheCelticLadies at King’s CastleTheatre,HughesBrothers, ShowboatBransonBelle,Jesus at Sight &Sound,andOak RidgeBoys.BransonCraftMall, DogwoodCanyon,localBranson guide.

NEWENGLAND FALL FOILAGE

TOUR Monday-FridayOctober 4-8 5days/4nights$1159per person(doubleoccupancy) 4nightslodging at,ninemeals including aLobsterBakewith entertainment,Admissionto SquamLakeScienceCenter withAnimalEncounterand Pontoonride,admissiontoCastle intheClouds,Guided Tourof Kennybunkportand Walkers Point,StonewallKitchen,Scenic trainrideontheWinnepesaukee ScenicRailroadwithturkeylunch, Moulton FarmCenterpieces,fully escortedwithlocaltourguide.

MYRTLEBEACHADVENTURE

Sunday-ThursdayOctober 10-14$769perperson(double occupancy)includes 4nightsoceanfront accommodations, 8Meals, 3Shows:OneTheShowat AlabamaTheater,Time Warp at CarolinaOpry, Legendsin Concert. 2hourecocruiseof MurrellsInletShopping

CREATIONMUSEUM/ARK

ENCOUNTER Sunday- Wednesday October17-20$739perperson (doubleoccupancy) Alifesize Noah’sArkExperienceIncludes: threenightslodging,SsxMeals, includingthreefullbreakfastsand threedinners, TourofCincinnati, CreationMuseum,including Stargazer’sPlanetariumanda guestspeaker.ArkEncounter,and BelleofCincinnatiRiverboat

NASHVILLECOUNTRY CHRISTMASatGAYLORD

OPRYLANDRESORT FridayMondayDecember17-20 NashvilleCountryChristmas $1799perperson(double occupancy).includesroundtrip airfare,roundtripbustoBWI,4 nightslodging, 3nights at Gaylord OprylandResort., 6Meals, Four showsincludingChristmas Dinnershowinballroom at GaylordOprylandResortwiththe OakRidgeBoys,AmyGrant& VinceGill at theRyman,General JacksonShowboatLuncheon Cruisewithentertainment., GrandOleOpry, CountryMusic HallofFame,guidedcitytour ofNashville,DeltaFlatboatride, TreasuresfortheHolidays,Ice.

NEWORLEANSPREMARDI

GRAS2022 Monday February21Friday February25,2022$1789 perperson(doubleoccupancy) RoundtripairfarefromBaltimore toNewOrleans, 5days ,4 nights accommodationsin French Quarter7MealsNewOrleans SchoolofCooking,comprehensive citytourofNewOrleans,Mardi Gras WorldMuseum,National World WarIIMuseum(including 4D film),SteamboatNatchez HarborCruise,LouisianaSwamp Boattour,andreservedparade bleacherseatingforfourparades inNewOrleans

Visitourtasting roomatThanksgivingFarms, 1619BuckeystownPike,Adamstown,MD OPENSATURDAY& SUNDAY11:00 -5:00

CovidSurvivalKit:

Includes 4packof16ozMix &Match Beer/Glass/Sticker

for only $20

www.madsciencebrewing.com

EXPLOREMARYLAND’S TIMELESS TREASURE

BEST SMAL LL TOWN

MainStreetMiddletowniswhere breathtakingviewsandhistoriclandmarksgreet youasyoumake yourwaydownthemountaintofreshAmericanfare,justchurnedicecream,oneof akindshops, wineriesandoneofMaryland’s onlymeaderies.

Beyondofferingliveentertainment, fine art,shoppinganddiningMainStreetMiddletownoffers eventsfor your family’s nextadventureandislocatedjustmilesfromtheAppalachian Trailhead.

Whetheryou’reseeking arelaxingdaywalkinginthefootstepsofGeorge Washingtonintheplace hedescribedasthe “mostbeautiful valley” orlookingfor afarmfreshdiningexperience,MainStreet Middletownwelcomes youtothe valley.