Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground
Poplar Grove offers youth groups and organizations enjoyable year-round primitive tent camping. Located just steps away from the Catoctin Mountain Park portion of the Catoctin National Recreation Trail in the rolling hills of Thurmont, Maryland. Poplar Grove allows youth groups to experience traditional wilderness camping in a beautiful, natural setting.Poplar Grove allows youth to connect with nature by offering limited comforts of home. Pit toilets and drinking water are provided. Three expansive sites can accommodate up to 25 visitors each, and multiple sites may be reserved for larger groups.
Notifications and Alerts
- Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground is not available on a Walk-In basis; reservations must be made by phone or online in order to camp at this facility. There is a minimum booking window of 2 days - earliest date to reserve will be 2 days from today.
Need to Know
- Sanctioned youth groups/organizations only
- Groups must present a roster of campers and leaders during check-in
- At least 50% of groups must be under the age of 18 and currently enrolled in the organization
Hike-in only from November through March.
- Orientation and check-in by rangers is required before entrance.
- Please check in at the Park Visitor Center between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., or call 1-866-677-6677 to arrange check-in with a ranger.
- Check out time is 12:00 p.m.
- One vehicle is allowed per site, with additional parking located one mile from sites
- Pets are not allowed
- Please check the park site at www.nps.gov/cato prior to your arrival, as we experience periodic closures
- Firewood: The transportation of firewood into the park is not permitted. Dead/downed wood may be collected. Firewood is also available at Poplar Grove for a requested $5 donation.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Natural Features
Poplar Grove offers flat tent areas to accommodate group activities. The campground is surrounded by a rolling landscape, perfect for light hikes.
Whether blanketed in snow in winter months or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Poplar Grove offers beautiful scenery all year. Since the site is located in a remote area, it is accessed by a gravel road during summer months, and is a hike-in only facility during winter months.
Nearby Attractions
The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is located four miles away and offers interpretive programs. Just three miles away, visitors can enjoy fishing and canoeing at Cunningham Falls State Park. Cunningham Falls charges a daily entrance fee.
Recreation
As a primitive camping area, Poplar Grove encourages kids to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. Catoctin Mountain Park boasts 25 miles of trails for additional hiking opportunities.
Contact Information
Default
6602 Foxville Rd Thurmont MD 21788
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 1 (301) 663-9388
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Poplar Grove is located on Manahan Road in the western portion of Catoctin Mountain Park. From Route 15, exit at Catocin Mountain Park/Route 77. Travel approximately six miles west, passing the Visitor Center and Park Central Road. Turn right on Foxville-Deerfield Road and bear to the right onto Manahan Road at the fork. Poplar Grove is located about a mile ahead on the gravel road.
Available Campsites
- Site A001, Loop POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND AREA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site B001, Loop POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND AREA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site C001, Loop POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND AREA, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
