Adirondack Shelters
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.
More like this: reservable in Maryland
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Shelters | 2 |
Site guide
2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| 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… |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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).
| Nearest town | Thurmont, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39.6444° N, 77.4861° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 1.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 17.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 18.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Adirondack Shelter
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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.
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.
Nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Maryland
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Adirondack Shelters?
Sites at Adirondack Shelters are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Adirondack Shelters?
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…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Adirondack Shelters?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Adirondack Shelters have?
2 sites, including 2 shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Adirondack Shelters?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Adirondack Shelters?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Adirondack Shelters?
The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Adirondack Shelters?
Thurmont, Maryland. Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling.
Source: Getting there
What if Adirondack Shelters is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Owens Creek Campground (1.1 mi), Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground (1.2 mi), and Camp Round Meadow (2.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Adirondack Shelters in?
Adirondack Shelters is a Catoctin Mountain Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Catoctin Mountain Park