Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground
Catoctin Mountain Park
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 in a rustic campground setting. Three (3) group sites can accommodate up to 25 visitors. There are (2) two vault toilets, with no handwashing facilities. A shared potable water spigot and pavilion are centrally located. During sub-zero temperatures water may not be available. Site campfire circles and grills exist at each of the three camp sites. Firewood is provided onsite, dead wood may be collected for fires. Each group site is limited to (2) two vehicles or (1) vehicle and (1) utility trailer (unhooked) parked in designated spaces. Additional vehicles need to be parked at Camp Round Meadow. Overnight parking is not permitted on Manahan Road. Due to seasonal road closures, hiking access is required to the campground from Winter through Spring.
Campground inquires: please call the Visitors Center between 9 am – 4:30 pm at 1(301) 663- 9388.
During your stay 24 hr dispatch (after hours): 1-866-677-6677 or 301-714-2235.
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
Reservations are required and may be made 6 months in advance.
Sanctioned youth groups/organizations only
- At least 50% of groups must be under the age of 18 and currently enrolled in the organization
DUE TO SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES, THE CAMPGROUND IS OPEN WHEN MANAHAN ROAD IS OPEN.
Self check-in and self check-out. Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Check out time is 12:00 p.m.
Two vehicles are allowed per site or one vehicle and one utility trailer (unhooked) parked in designated spots. Additional parking is located 1 mile from the campground at Camp Round Meadow.
- Pets are not allowed
- Please check the park site at www.nps.gov/cato prior to your arrival, as we experience periodic closures
Firewood is available at Poplar Grove. The transportation of firewood into the park is not permitted. Dead/downed wood may be collected.
- 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.
Shared facilities include two (2) vault toilets, waste dumpsters, and pavilion.
No water is available in Poplar Grove.
Natural Features
Poplar Grove offers tree sheltered, flat tent sites. The campground is surrounded by a hardwood decidious forest.
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 youth to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. Catoctin Mountain Park offers 25 miles of trails for additional hiking opportunities.
Changes & Cancellations
Important Information on Late Cancellations
A cancellation is considered late if it occurs the day before or the day of arrival. Customers will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Contact Information
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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
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