Picnicking

Picnic Areas Navigation

 
picnic tables under forest canpoy
Owens Creek Picnic Area

NPS

Catoctin Mountain Park offers many places for individuals to sit down and enjoy a meal under the forest canopy. Many parking areas, such as the Visitor Center secondary parking area, the Thurmont Vista Parking Area, and the Hog Rock Parking Area, offer several tables for folks to enjoy a home brought snack. No grills are allowed or ground fires are allowed at these sites. No reservation required.

Want to grill and maybe take a hike afterwards? The Chestnut Picnic Area and the Owens Creek Picnic Area have many grills waiting for you. Both picnic areas are ideal places to begin Hiking the park. See below for more information about these picnic areas.
 
Small image of Spicebush Trail Map
Image of Spicebush Trail Map  - Click to Enlarge

Chestnut Picnic Area

... is located along Park Central Road. There are picnic tables, grills and restroom facilities. The Spicebush Nature Trail is accessed from there. The Spicebush Nature Trail is wheelchair-accessible with a natural-looking specially bonded WoodCarpet® that is firm and stable. The picnic area is a great place to start off from to begin exploring the West Side trails of the park, including the Catoctin National Recreation Trail. Adjacent parking for horse trailers is next to the campground so that equestrians have easy access to the park Horse Trails.

Accessible parking and two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables connect to the trail. Restrooms are within 200' of the Spicebush nature trail and Historic Camp Greentop, known for its tradition of serving children with disabilities, is also nearby.

No ground fires are allowed at these sites. No reservation required.

 

Chestnut Picnic Area Parking Lot

39.647463, -77.478311
SPACES
32 Total
2 Oversized
2.5 miles north of the Visitor Center on Park Central Road. Provides trail access: Spicebush Trail, Catoctin National Recreational Trail, and Horse Trail. Restroom facilities (flush toilets, seasonal). Map and bulletin boards. Multiple picnic tables and above ground grills. May temporarily close due to winter weather and/or icy road conditions.
Parking Lot Area
There is no parking fee.
Cost: $0.00

Amenities:
Accessible Lot: Yes
Number of ADA-designated spaces: 2
Number of ADA van-accessible spaces: 2
Number of ADA step-free spaces: 2
Total number of spaces: 32
Number of oversize vehicle spaces: 2
   
   
Image Gallery
Thumbail preview of Parking Area Map
Thumbail preview of Chestnut Picnic Area Sign
Thumbail preview of Handicapped Parking Space at Picnic Area
Thumbail preview of Parking Lot Area
Thumbail preview of Oversized Vehicle Spaces
Park map with yellow arrow indicating location of parking area.
Parking Area Map NPS
Wooden Sign fastened on a metal post with directional arrow and the words Chestnut Picnic Area.
Chestnut Picnic Area Sign
Handicapped Parking space at picnic area. Several feet away is a picnic table and grill.
Handicapped Parking Space at Picnic Area NPS Photo
Rows of parking spaces
Parking Lot Area NPS Photo
Oversized Vehicle Spaces
Oversized Vehicle Spaces NPS Photo
 
 
 
Small Image of Brown's Farm Trail Map
Small Image of Brown's Farm Trail Map - Click To Enlarge

Owens Creek Picnic Area

... is located along Foxville-Deerfield Road. There are picnic tables, grills, and a vault toilet is on site. No running water is located at this picnic area.

The picnic area is a great place to start your exploration of the West Side trails of the park, including the Catoctin National Recreation Trail and the Browns Farm Trail.

No ground fires are allowed at these sites. No reservation required.

 

Owens Creek Picnic Area Parking Lot

39.652737, -77.487956
SPACES
34 Total
0 Oversized
Owens Creek Picnic Area along Foxville-Deefield Road. Provides trail access: Brown's Farm Trail, Horse Trail, Deerfield Nature Trail, and the Catoctin National Recreational Trail. Vault Toilet (seasonal). Map and bulletin board. May temporarily close due to winter weather and/or icy road conditions.
Free Parking
There is no parking fee.There is no parking fee.
Cost: $0.00
Standard Hours
Sun: From sunrise to sunset
Mon: From sunrise to sunset
Tue: From sunrise to sunset
Wed: From sunrise to sunset
Thu: From sunrise to sunset
Fri: From sunrise to sunset
Sat: From sunrise to sunset

Amenities:
Accessible Lot: No
Number of ADA-designated spaces: 0
Number of ADA van-accessible spaces: 0
Number of ADA step-free spaces: 0
Total number of spaces: 34
Number of oversize vehicle spaces: 0
   
   
Image Gallery
Thumbail preview of Parking Area Map
Thumbail preview of Owens Creek Picnic Area
Thumbail preview of Owens Creek Picnic Area
Thumbail preview of Owens Creek Picnic Area Vault Toilet
Thumbail preview of Trail Access From Owens Creek Picnic Area
Park map with yellow arrow indicating location of parking area
Parking Area Map NPS
Wooden Sign with direction sign and the words Owens Creek Picnic Area
Owens Creek Picnic Area NPS Photo
Parking area located next to wooded picnic area
Owens Creek Picnic Area NPS Photo
Small wooden building next to parking spaces.
Owens Creek Picnic Area Vault Toilet NPS Photo
Map board with trail behind.
Trail Access From Owens Creek Picnic Area NPS Photo
 
 
 
 

Last updated: June 20, 2020

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6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont , MD 21788

Phone:

301 663-9388

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