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Adirondack Shelters
NPSNational Park Service — Thurmont · Maryland · Catoctin Mountain Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Catoctin Mountain Park |
| Location | Thurmont · Maryland · Catoctin Mountain Park · 39.64435, -77.48607 · Map |
| Sites | 2 public sites counted from the federal listing — 2 shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 2 sites Water hookups at 0 of 2 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 2 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 2 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Shelters are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made through recreation.gov online and $10 if made at recreation.gov’s call center, (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international) 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone). |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 301-663-9388 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-29.
From the official listing
Overview The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provides a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape.
Recreation The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. Watching birds (aka "birding") is a popular form of wildlife observation. Catoctin offers a 25-mile (40 km) hiking trail system, fishing, picnicking, and frontcountry cabins and campgrounds in addition to the more primitive Adirondack shelters.
Facilities This is a rustic backcountry area with no vehicle access or potable water. There is one rustic pit toilet available. Campers must carry adequate drinking water and supplies and pack trash out at the conclusion of their stay. The two shelters are several hundred feet apart, making them close enough for groups to use both, but far enough away to offer privacy. The sites are available year-round and can accommodate five campers. Tents or temporary structures are not permitted inside the shelters or surrounding area. Campfire rings are provided.
Natural Features Located about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park lies within the mountainous Blue Ridge Province of north-central Maryland. Scenic overlooks extend across the Monocacy Valley.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (301) 663-9388. Nearby Attractions Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling. Or tour historic Camp Misty Mount, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Directions, from the listing
Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 miles (8 km) to Foxville Deerfield Road. Turn right. Turn Right onto Manahan Road and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area.
You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of 3 miles (4.8 km).
GPS coordinates for Shelter #1 are 39° 40' 37.8001" N 77° 29' 3.8000" W
Shelter #2 is nearby (visible from) Shelter #1.
Hikers: protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing the shelters or other park features. Obtain trail maps at the park Visitor Center or download them from the Catoctin Mountain Park Hiking web page. Hilly terrain and the forest canopy can prevent satellite signals from reaching your unit increasing the importance of a back-up strategy.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Sabillasville MarylandNPSNational Park ServicePoplar Grove Youth Group Campground
1 mi straight-line · Thurmont MarylandNPSNational Park ServiceCamp Misty Mount
2 mi straight-line · Thurmont MarylandNPSNational Park ServiceCamp Round Meadow
2 mi straight-line · Sabillasville MarylandNPSNational Park ServiceRohrbach Group Campground
18 mi straight-line · Sharpsburg Maryland
Trip Card — Adirondack Shelters
Thurmont · Maryland · Catoctin Mountain Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Thurmont · Maryland · Catoctin Mountain Park |
| Fees | Shelters are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made thro… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 2 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233321 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.