Visitor Center

The visitor center hosts new exhibits, installed in spring 2019. Learn about the history of Catoctin Mountain and the national park that was created here. American Indians, farmers, iron makers, the WPA, CCC, Jobs Corps and so many others played a role in making Catoctin Mountain Park the special place it is today. Discover how even your visit plays a part in the making of this park. Eastern National provides a small sales area with items to help you remember your visit.

Every Day:9:00 AM–4:30 PM

The Visitor Center is currently open from 9am-4:30pm and features a small exhibit, store, restrooms, and trail advice.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Holidays

2025–2026

Holiday	Date	Hours
New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed

The visitor center, a one-story building with a chimney and porch, with a flag and trees

Visitor Center building covered in snow and surrounded by bare trees.

A black and white photo of the visitor center, smaller than it is today. It resembles a stone cabin.

The visitor center, a one-story stone building, surrounded by yellow and orange trees.

A room with wooden walls, floor, and ceiling with exhibits. A photo of a scenic view is displayed.

The visitor center, a one-story building with a chimney and porch, with a flag and trees — Catoctin Mountain Park's visitor center during the summer with a flourishing pollinator garden.
NPS Photo/ Craig Kuhn

Visitor Center building covered in snow and surrounded by bare trees. — During winter, the Visitor Center is often blanketed in snow and ice.
NPS Photo/ John Zuke

A black and white photo of the visitor center, smaller than it is today. It resembles a stone cabin. — The visitor center was built in 1942 by the Works Progress Administration.
NPS Photo

The visitor center, a one-story stone building, surrounded by yellow and orange trees. — During fall, the pollinator garden dies off and the surrounding trees turn every shade of yellow, orange, and red.
NPS Photo/ John Zuke

A room with wooden walls, floor, and ceiling with exhibits. A photo of a scenic view is displayed. — Inside the visitor center there is a small exhibit that shows the area's history and resources.
NPS Photo/ John Zuke

Parking Lot

Visitor Center Parking Lots

62 total spaces
0 oversized spaces
39.633864, -77.449878

Visitor Center (GPS Address: 14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788). Main parking lot: asphalt, contains 2 electric vehicle charging stations. Secondary parking lot: across Park Central Road from the Visitor Center, gravel surface. Restroom, maps, and information available at Visitor Center when open. Picnic Tables located by gravel lot. Additional parking: It is legal to park along Route 77 as long as your vehicle is entirely outside the white line. Route 77 is outside of the park jurisdiction.