Cunningham Falls State Park
Notice: Park alert — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – sunset (Apr 1 – Oct 31)
- Entrance fee
- $5 per person ($7 nonresident)Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dnr.maryland.gov
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure Park alertAlerts Lake, Beach and Falls Area Capacity Closures On warm spring/summer weekends, the Lake, Beach and Falls Area of Cunningham Falls State Park may… (more)
Alerts Lake, Beach and Falls Area Capacity Closures On warm spring/summer weekends, the Lake, Beach and Falls Area of Cunningham Falls State Park may close due to capacity limitations. All traffic will be turned away from the entrance. The area usually re-opens in the afternoon. If you are not traveling with your party we suggest that you all arrive at the same time to insure the best chance that you will all get in. Cunningham Falls Hiking Although many visitors wish to get an up close view of the spectacular natural attraction, swimming is prohibited and climbing is not advised at the falls. This policy is in place for the safety and protection of both the visitors and of the natural resource. Park staff has responded to hundreds of accidents at the Falls, most of which have been a direct result of visitors slipping or falling while attempting to explore the falls. In addition to visitor safety, we are dedicated to protecting, conserving and enhancing our natural resources. By eliminating human impact at the Falls, we are ensuring that the falls will be preserved as a wild and natural resource. Help us protect our treasures. Please no hiking or climbing off of the trail in or…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
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Cunningham Falls State Park is a park in Frederick County, about 3 miles southwest of Thurmont.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | Apr 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily | 10 a.m. – sunset | Nov 1 – Mar 31 |
Official wording
April through October: 8 a.m. to sunset November through March: 10 a.m. to sunset
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: Weekends and holidays: Maryland residents (resident) | $5 · person |
| Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: Weekends and holidays: Maryland residents (nonresident) | $7 · person |
| Weekdays: Maryland residents (resident) | $3 · person |
| Weekdays: Maryland residents (nonresident) | $5 · person |
| Day after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend: Maryland residents (resident) | $3 · vehicle |
| Day after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend: Maryland residents (nonresident) | $5 · vehicle |
| Maryland residents (resident) | $3 · vehicle |
| Maryland residents (nonresident) | $5 · vehicle |
| Campsite | $21.50 · night |
| Campsite with electric | $27.50 · night |
| For example, a total of | $3.40 |
| For example, a total of | $3 |
| For example, a total of | $3.60 |
| For example, a total of | $4 |
| Six-person mini cabins | $65.50 |
| Charge: (Base rate does not include transaction or other applicable fees) | $36.75 |
| Bus Reservations | $18 |
| Maryland residents (resident) | $3 · vehicle |
| Maryland residents (nonresident) | $5 · vehicle |
Official wording
Hours of Operations: April through October: 8 a.m. to sunset November through March: 10 a.m. to sunset Day-use Admission Fee: Houck Area Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: • Weekends and holidays: Maryland residents $5/person; out-of-state residents $7/person • Weekdays: Maryland residents $3/person; out-of-state residents $5/person Day after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend: • Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle Manor Area Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle Camping Charges: Base rate does not include transaction or other applicable fees) • Campsite: $21.50 • Campsite with electric: $27.50 Cunningham Falls State Park is now using a new point-of-sale system at the park entrance, designed to make entry more convenient and allow visitors to pay by credit or debit card. Please note that a small vendor processing fee is added to cash and credit transactions made through the new system. Paying with cash? Due to the nationwide coin shortage, the availability of coins for making change is limited. As a result, cash totals are automatically rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Amounts ending in 49 cents or less are rounded down, while amounts ending in 50 cents or more are rounded up. For example, a total of $3.40 would be rounded down to $3, while a total of $3.60 would be rounded up to $4. Credit and debit cards are charged the exact transaction total. Cabins Charges: Base rate does not include transaction or other applicable fees) • Six-person mini cabins: $65.50 Shelter: Manor Area only Capacity: 150 people Charge: (Base rate does not include transaction or other applicable fees) $36.75 Dates: Fri Apr 3, 2026 - Sun Oct 25, 2026 Bus Reservations: $18.00 non-refundable reservation charge, plus day-use admission fee. No buses are permitted on summer weekends or holidays. Reservations permitted Tuesday - Friday only. Dates: Sun Jun 1, 2026 - Thu August 28, 2026 Boat Launch Charges: Houck Area only Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle
Maryland park passes
- Maryland State Park and Trail Passport (annual) — $75 resident / $100 non-resident. Unlimited day-use entry for everyone in the vehicle (up to 10 people), unlimited boat launching, 10% concession discount Details
- Golden Age Pass (62+) — $10 processing fee, lifetime. Free day-use entry, half-price camping Sun–Thu, waived boat launch fees Details
- Universal Disability Pass. Free lifetime entrance to DNR public lands for holder + one person Details
- Youth Group Pass. Youth-group day use (not peak weekends) and youth group camping; valid two years Details
From the Maryland state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Maryland State Park Reservation Service (parkreservations.maryland.gov); day use via parkdayuse.maryland.gov
- Phone
- 888-432-2267
Reservations are recommended since the camper cabins often fill weeks or months in advance.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: sandy beaches or in the lake during this time period.
• Cunningham Falls Campgrounds: Pets are allowed in Addison Run, Bear Branch, Catoctin Creek, Deer Spring, and the Manor Area Camping Loops. • Houck Area: Pets allowed on all trails. Pets allowed anywhere in the day-use area except for sandy portion of the beach and lake from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. • Manor Area: Pets are allowed in the day-use area and trails. Pets are not permitted on sandy beaches or in the lake during this time period. • Pet friendly Loops: Addison Run, Bear Branch & Catoctin Creek • Leashed pets permitted throughout the entire campground • Remember to secure your pet’s food also.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
- Campsite: $21.50
- Campsite with electric: $27.50
Cunningham Falls State Park is now using a new point-of-sale system at the park entrance, designed to make entry more convenient and allow visitors to pay by credit or debit card. Please note that a small vendor processing fee is added to cash and credit transactions made through the new system.
Paying with cash? Due to the nationwide coin shortage, the availability of coins for making change is limited. As a result, cash totals are automatically rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Amounts ending in 49 cents or less are rounded down, while amounts ending in 50 cents or more are rounded up.
For example, a total of $3.40 would be rounded down to $3, while a total of $3.60 would be rounded up to $4. Credit and debit cards are charged the exact transaction total.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Campsites and camper cabins are available from April until October.
- Six-person mini cabins: $65.50
Shelter: Manor Area only
Capacity: 150 people
$36.75
Dates:
Fri Apr 3, 2026 - Sun Oct 25, 2026
Bus Reservations: $18.00 non-refundable reservation charge, plus day-use admission fee. No buses are permitted on summer weekends or holidays. Reservations permitted Tuesday - Friday only.
Dates: Sun Jun 1, 2026 - Thu August 28, 2026
Things to do
Swimming
Leisure opportunities include swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing. Although many visitors wish to get an up close view of the spectacular natural attraction, swimming is prohibited and climbing is not advised at the falls. Please remember to arrive early as the park often reaches capacity by mid to late morning on weekends, holidays and even some weekdays during the summer swim season. Swimming will be prohibited after Labor Day. Swimming is permitted Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend in three designated areas of Hunting Creek Lake. During this time, swimming is permitted at your own risk when lifeguards are not on duty. For your safety and the protection of the natural resource swimming is not allowed at the falls.
Amenities
Water
- Swimming beach: not available (stated by the park)
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 14274 William Houck Dr
Thurmont, MD 21788 - Nearest town
- Thurmont — about 3 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.5992, -77.4508 (from Wikidata)
- CunninghamFalls.StatePark@maryland.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Maryland State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Maryland Park Service 'Find a State Park' directory (SharePoint HTML, links to /publiclands/Pages/{region}/{park}.aspx)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Bob's Hill Overlook (South) Cunningham Falls State Park.jpg — Public domain (released by the author), Aneta Kaluzna
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology