Cunningham Falls State Park

  Headed out of PA on October 24, Cunningham Falls State Park, Thurmont, Maryland being our destination. Cunningham Falls is located in the Cotoctin Mountains and home to the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland.. I again have to gush over the beauty of the trees on our route, This has been a spectacular Autumn in my view. 

On our way we stopped off at Catoctin Mountain Orchards Farm Market and what goodies we did find. A luscious light apple cider made from Honey Crisp Apples; Elk, Cheddar, Burgundy Sausage, oh was that good and went perfect with the Beer Cheddar Cheese we picked up; Pumpkin Butter; Golden Cauliflower, several homemade goodies, tasty plums and crisp local apples. Oh My!!

Our yummy finds at the Farm Market

Heading up the mountain to our campsite was a bit white knuckling, up, up, up with lots of curving roadway. Finally, made it, Phew, yeah we have to go back down come Monday! Oh Boy. The William Houck Area Campground was well-maintained typical state park, lots of trees with well spaced sites. The sites in our section have electric but no individual water hookups. Fortunately for us, the spigot was reachable by our hose making it easy to fill our fresh water tank when needed. The park has several sections, some more primitive, none with full hookups. Clean tiled bathhouse with lots of hot water, yeah I like that. The camp-hosts Hugh and Susan were a great couple and made a point of greeting each new arrival, helping where ever needed. The during the high season the park is host to many activities and nature talks, has a large lake for swimming, fishing, just plain enjoying; as well as a campstore.

There is another campground just down the road, The Manor Area, that has an aviary and is home to the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace. We didn't get to either of those on this trip, perhaps next time. 

We did get in some great mountain hiking, oh it felt so good to be out there. The trail to the Falls was rocky with both ankle twisters and giant outcrops. While we enjoyed to view of the falls, we understand that to see it in the Spring after the winter thaw can be breathtaking.

From there we hiked over to the lake and just sat to take in the beauty.

 Down the road to the Cactoctin Trail brought us back up the mountain and to our campsite for a muscle building, spirit filling day, then a well deserved rest!  

While hiking up to the higher campground section one day, we were gifted with the close up flight of a Red Tailed Hawk, couldn't have been but 10 - 15 feet away and would drop into the trees awaiting us getting closer just to take flight again. Did this several times before we couldn't follow further. 

I'll just fill the rest of this post with some photos of the beautiful scenery but believe me the camera does not do it justice.

Next stop into Virginia.