Adirondack Shelters
Campground · Maryland · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Catoctin Mountain Park (Other Designation) · Restricted Access
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 5
- People per site
- 1,533 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provides a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape.
Recreation
The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. Watching birds (aka "birding") is a popular form of wildlife observation. Catoctin offers a 25-mile (40 km) hiking trail system, fishing, picnicking, and frontcountry cabins and campgrounds in addition to the more primitive Adirondack shelters.
Facilities
This is a rustic backcountry area with no vehicle access or potable water. There is one rustic pit toilet available. Campers must carry adequate drinking water and supplies and pack trash out at the conclusion of their stay. The two shelters are several hundred feet apart, making them close enough for groups to use both, but far enough away to offer privacy. The sites are available year-round and can accommodate five campers. Tents or temporary structures are not permitted inside the shelters or surrounding area. Campfire rings are provided.
Natural Features
Located about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park lies within the mountainous Blue Ridge Province of north-central Maryland. Scenic overlooks extend across the Monocacy Valley.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (301) 663-9388.Nearby Attractions
Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling. Or tour historic Camp Misty Mount, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The facts
- 2 bookable sites
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: Adirondack Shelters
Site types
- 2 Shelter Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Grills
- Shade
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, pets allowed.
2 campsites at Adirondack Shelters
Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Adirondack Shelters | Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 5 | |
| 002 | Adirondack Shelters | Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 5 |
Getting there
Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 miles (8 km) to Foxville Deerfield Road. Turn right. Turn Right onto Manahan Road and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area.
You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of 3 miles (4.8 km).
GPS coordinates for Shelter #1 are 39° 40' 37.8001" N 77° 29' 3.8000" W
Shelter #2 is nearby (visible from) Shelter #1.
Hikers: protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing the shelters or other park features. Obtain trail maps at the park Visitor Center or download them from the Catoctin Mountain Park Hiking web page. Hilly terrain and the forest canopy can prevent satellite signals from reaching your unit increasing the importance of a back-up strategy.
39.64435, -77.48607 · 39°38'39.7"N 77°29'9.8"W
Typical weather
Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39 | 42 | 52 | 65 | 73 | 80 | 84 | 81 | 75 | 65 | 54 | 43 |
| Low °F | 23 | 25 | 31 | 42 | 52 | 60 | 65 | 63 | 58 | 46 | 36 | 28 |
| Precip in | 3.8 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Shelters are free. However, to cover the cost of online services and the use of recreation.gov you will incur a non-refundable fee. You will pay $8 if your reservation is made through recreation.gov online and $10 if made at recreation.gov’s call center, (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international) 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Eastern Time Zone).
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Adirondack Shelters
- Can you reserve a site at Adirondack Shelters?
- Yes, Adirondack Shelters is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Adirondack Shelters have?
- 2 sites.
- Are campfires allowed at Adirondack Shelters?
- Campfires are allowed at Adirondack Shelters. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Adirondack Shelters
- Owens Creek Campground 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Misty Mount 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Camp Round Meadow 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Historic Bushman House (Gettysburg) 16 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Slyder Farmhouse 16.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rohrbach Group Campground 18.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Visitor Center 2.1 mi · Facility
- Antrim 1844 16.7 mi · Facility
- Museum and Visitor Center 18 mi · Visitor Center
- Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center 18 mi · Facility
- Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center 18.1 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 301-663-9388
- Email cato_campmanager@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-05.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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