Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park

Thurmont, Maryland

4.2/5

based on 5 reviews

Save

View all 12 photos

All 12 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

5 miles

Elevation Gain

600 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Brad Duncan

Easy access and parking at Catoctin Mountain make this an easy to locate day trip. Parking throughout the park offers visitors the option to piece together their hikes based on ability, landmarks, and distance.

Chimney Rock is the quintessential breathtaking view that makes a hike worthwhile. By parking at the most northeast parking lot on the trail map you are able to include the sweeping views of Thurmont Vista, and Wolf Rock on your way to Chimney Rock. Highly recommend visiting in the fall, and on weekdays if possible, as the park is popular and can become very crowded.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Food Nearby

Forest

Groups

Picnic Area

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park Reviews

Meredith Steward

Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park

06/06/16

We started from the visitors center and because of all of the rain the beginning part of the trail is some-what washed away. As long as you follow the road to the trail head leading from the road you'll be fine. From this point everything is well marked. We went on a foggy misty morning but it was really nice to cool off once we got to chimney rock. Great cardio workout!

4.0

Kristen May

Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park

01/16/16

This is definitely my favorite hike in this park, the views from Chimney Rock are very beautiful. I always try and go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crows.

3.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike Catoctin Mountain

Park at Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center. The hike starts at the end of the gravel parking lot across from the visitor center. This is definitely a popular hiking location, so come early on the weekends to guarantee a parking spot and to avoid the crowds. To start, take the right trail towards the Park Headquarters and Chimney Rock. Hike uphill towards the Crows Nest Campground loop. In 2 miles...

Hike the Catoctin Mountain Extended Loop Trail

This 8.6 mile loop trail in Catoctin Mountain Park is good for both hikers and trail runners. This loop is the larger loop in the park, comprised of Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, Blue Ridge Summit, Thurmont Vista, Wolf Rock, and Chimney Rock. The trail gets a moderate rating because it's mostly rocky, making for a little more challenging footing. To get started, park at the Catoctin Mountain Visi...

Cat Rock via Old Misery Trail

The best place to park is on Catoctin Hollow Road in the parking lot that's on the same side of the road as the lake. It's not a huge lot but we were here mid-summer around 10 am and found a spot easily. The trailhead is on the other side of the street from this parking lot; there is a sign letting you know you're at 'Old Misery Trail.' The name sounds funny until you start climbing the switchb...

Hike to Cunningham Falls

This 78-foot waterfall, among the largest in the state, is easily accessible by two short trails. Lower Trail (0.5 miles) leads directly to the falls, whereas Cliff Trail (0.75 miles) has slightly more difficult terrain and takes you to a viewing platform. To lengthen the adventure, Hunting Creek Lake is close by for swimming, or you can continue your hike by taking Old Misery Trail for great v...

Camp at the Adirondack Shelters in Catoctin Mountain Park

For outdoor enthusiasts, Maryland is an ideal place to live. Between the mountains and the Bay--and the rivers, bike paths, and trails along the way--we couldn't ask for much more. But if we were feeling greedy, we would probably ask for additional backpacking options, right? Of course, there are the state forests out west, and Pennsylvania and Virginia are close enough destinations. But for a ...

Hike to Devil's Racecourse on the Appalachian Trail

Start your hike where the AT crosses Raven Rock Road (Maryland Route 491). This crossing is well-marked from both sides by large, yellow signs and blazed stakes. You will need to park on the side of the road, but the shoulder is wide and can accommodate a crowd. The first half mile or so of this hike is hard; you'll be climbing more than a thousand feet up uneven stone steps and switchbacks. L...

Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike Chimney Rock at Catoctin Mountain Park Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike Catoctin Mountain

Hike the Catoctin Mountain Extended Loop Trail

Cat Rock via Old Misery Trail

Hike to Cunningham Falls

Camp at the Adirondack Shelters in Catoctin Mountain Park

Hike to Devil's Racecourse on the Appalachian Trail

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps