Owens Creek Campground

Catoctin Mountain Park

Owens Creek Campground offers families and individuals enjoyable primitive tent camping. Located just five miles from Thurmont, Maryland, in the rolling hills of Catoctin Mountain Park.

This campground contains 50 single campsites with a limit of five people, or immediate family, per site. There are no-hookups. Maximum 22' trailer length and RVs up to 30'. There are three pull through sites, #12, #39 and #43.

Flush toilets, showers and drinking water are available and centrally located in the campground. All sites are equipped with a tent pad, picnic tables, and fire ring. All tents must fit on the tent pads. Firewood is available.

Notifications and Alerts

• Reservations may be made 6 months in advance

Need to Know

• Campsite reservations must be completed online through Recreation.gov. No walk-in sites are available.

• Park Central Road closes occasionally in the winter due to weather. Closures are posted on the Catoctin Mountain Park website. Please check before your visit to avoid any inconvenience or disappointment.

• Trailers over 22 ft. and Class A, B, C recreational vehicles over 30 ft. are prohibited. Campground has no hook-ups or dump station.

• Campsites are limited to 5 persons or the immediate family. Reserved sites may not be changed without Park Ranger permission.

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from all park areas administered by Catoctin Mountain Park, unless authorized by a permit issued by the Superintendent.

• Pets are permitted in the campground. They may not be left unattended and must remain on a 6 ft. leash at all times. Additional pet restrictions may be found in 36 CFR Section 2.15 Pets. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/2.15)

• Tents of any number, size, or combination must be placed on the 12 x 12 tent pad. Campsites are limited to 1 vehicle and must fit on the parking pad.  

• • Firewood: The transportation of firewood into the park is not permitted. Dead/downed wood may be collected. Firewood is available in the campground for a requested $5 donation. Fires must not be left unattended.
• 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.

• Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

• Reservation holders must vacate by 12:00 pm on the day of their scheduled departure.

• Hammocks may be used in areas where tent use would be suitable. Hammocks must be secured to trees using Tree Saver straps or other materials that will not cut into trees. Hammocks may not be set up in areas where natural resources could be damaged.

• The utility sinks should be used for washing dishes. Please do not wash dishes or clothes inside the restrooms.

Natural Features

The campground is surrounded by a rolling landscape, perfect for hikes of any level from easy to extremely strenuous. Owens Creek flows past the campground providing a peaceful setting beside a bubbling brook. Whether blanketed in snow in winter months, brilliant with color in the fall or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Owens Creek offers beautiful scenery all year.

Nearby Attractions

Other National Park Service units in the area are: Antietam National Battlefield www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm 26 miles, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm 28 miles, Eisenhower National Historic Site www.nps.gov/eise/index.htm 20 miles, Gettysburg National Military Park www.nps.gov/gett/index/htm 20 miles, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm 37 miles, Monocacy National Battlefield www.nps.gov/mono/index.htm 18 miles, Appalachian National Scenic Trail www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm , 8 miles, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm , 26 miles.

Other Attractions: Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo www.cwpzoo.com , Cunningham Falls State Park www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunningham.asp , Tourism Council of Frederick County www.fredericktourism.org , Washington County Hagerstown, MD www.marylandmemories.org/home.html .

Recreation

As a primitive camping area, Owens Creek encourages visitors to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. The Deerfield Nature Trail connects directly to the campground and is a 1.5 mile loop with a connection to the park's western system of trails. Browns Farm Trail is nearby in the Owens Creek Picnic Area and offers budding archeologists with a peek into the history of the area. This trail is also a youth friendly 'Track Trail'. For more information go to: www.kidsinparks.com. Catoctin Mountain Park boasts 25 miles of trails.

Contact Information

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6602 Foxville Rd Thurmont MD 21788

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 301-663-9388

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

For GPS Use Only: The street address is 15882 Foxville Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD. This is not the mailing address.
The Park mailing address is: Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

From Washington DC Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north to I495 to I270 north 27 miles to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 17 miles north to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West, the exit sign is marked Catoctin Mountain Park. Travel approximately 6 miles west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.

From Baltimore, MD Take I695 beltway to I70 West to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 North to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park.) Travel approximately 6 miles west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.

From Hagerstown, MD Take I70 East to Route 66 North for 7 miles. Turn right onto Route 64 (East) for 1 mile then turn right at a traffic light onto Route 77 East for approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.

From Gettysburg, PA Take Route 15 South. In Thurmont, MD, exit onto Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park.) Travel approximately 6 miles west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park Visitor Center) and turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 11, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 32, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 40, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 39, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 01, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 44, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 15, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 09, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 20, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 27, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 31, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 35, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 18, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 43, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 22, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 34, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 50, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 25, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 42, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 14, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 16, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 05, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 45, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 19, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 33, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 04, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 21, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 12, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 06, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 13, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 36, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 49, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 08, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 37, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 28, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 24, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 03, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 46, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 23, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 02, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 30, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 51, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 17, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 29, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 38, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 07, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 41, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 26, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 10, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 47, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 48, Loop OWENS CREEK CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric

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