Overview

Owens Creek Campground offers families and individuals enjoyable primitive tent camping. Located just five miles (8 km) from Thurmont, Maryland, in the rolling hills of Catoctin Mountain Park.

Facilities

This campground offers 48 single campsites with a limit of five people, or immediate family, per site. There are no-hookups. Maximum trailer length is 22 feet (6.4 m) and maximum RV length is 30 feet (9 m). 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.

Natural Features

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.

Catoctin Mountain Park boasts 25 miles (40 km) of trails. The Deerfield Nature Trail connects directly to the campground and is a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) 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, visit the Catoctin Mountain Park - Browns Farm Loop Track Trail information on the Kids in Parks website.

Nearby Attractions

Catoctin Mountain Park is located near many historical and cultural sites:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail (8 miles/13 km)

• Monocacy National Battlefield (18 miles/29 km)

• Antietam National Battlefield (26 miles/45 km)

• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (26 miles)

• Eisenhower National Historic Site and Gettysburg National Military Park (20 miles/32 km)

• Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (28 miles/45 km)

• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (37 miles/60 km)

Other Attractions include Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo and Cunningham Falls State Park.

For more information visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County.

Important Notices

• Book Campsite reservations up to 6 months in advance online through Recreation.gov. No walk-in sites are available.

• Campsites are limited to 5 persons (or the immediate family) and one vehicle, which must fit on the parking pad.

• Trailers over 22 ft. (6.7 m) and Class A, B, C recreational vehicles over 30 ft. (9.1 m) are prohibited. The campground has no hook-ups or dump station. The closest dump station is located in Cunningham Falls State Park.

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

• The transportation of firewood into the park is not permitted. Dead/downed wood may be collected. Firewood is available in the campground. Fires must not be left unattended.

• 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.

• Park Central Road may closed with short notice. Closures are posted on the Catoctin Mountain Park Alerts & Conditions web page. Please check before your visit to avoid any inconvenience or disappointment.

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

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

• Tents of any number, size, or combination must fit on the tent pad.

• 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.

• 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.

Notifications and Alerts

• Owens Creek Campground does not accept walk in reservations. Reservations must be made online or by calling the call center. Reservations for Owens Creek Campground are not processed within the Park.

Available Activities

• SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
• DAY USE AREA - Amphitheater
• WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
• VISITOR CENTER - Emergency Services
• HIKING - Hiking
• FISHING - Fishing
• INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - Educational Programs
• CAMPING - Camping
• HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE - Museum
• CLIMBING - Rock Climbing

Directions

<p><strong>For GPS Use Only: </strong>The street address is 15882 Foxville Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD. This is not the mailing address. <strong>The Park mailing address is: </strong>Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. <strong>From </strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>From Washington, DC:</strong> Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north to I-495 to I-270 north 27 miles (43.5 km) to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 for 17 miles (27 km) north to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign is marked Catoctin Mountain Park). Travel approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) west on Route 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park visitor center). Turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. </p></li><li><p><strong>From Baltimore, MD:</strong> Take I-695 beltway to I-70 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 (9.6 km) west on Route 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park visitor center). Turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. </p></li><li><p><strong>From Hagerstown, MD: From Hagerstown, MD:</strong> take I-70 East to Route 66 North for 7 miles (11.2 km). Turn right onto Route 64 (East) for 1 mile (1.6 km) then turn right at a traffic light onto Route 77 East for approximately 4 miles (6.4 km). Turn left onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) and turn left into Owens Creek Campground. </p></li><li><p><strong>From Gettysburg, PA:</strong> Take Route 15 South. In Thurmont, MD, exit onto Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park). Travel approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park visitor center). Turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, keep left and continue on Foxville-Deerfield Road for approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) and turn left into Owens Creek Campground.</p></li></ul>

Cancellation Policy

<p><strong>Important Information on Late Cancellations</strong></p> <p>A cancellation is considered late if it occurs <strong>the day before or the day of arrival</strong>. 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.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 301-663-9388

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip