A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

National Park Service cabin or lookout

Camp Misty Mount

National Park Service cabin or lookout in Catoctin Mountain Park, Frederick County, Maryland. 1,128 feet. 2.5 miles from Thurmont.

Managed by
National Park Service Catoctin Mountain Park
Elevation
1,128 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
29 29 cabin electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

This historic cabin camp was completed in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration. The camp is surrounded by hardwood forests on the slopes of Catoctin Mountain Park. Learn more in our video Misty Mount: A Hidden Gem (or the audio described version )

Individual rustic, historic cabins can be rented for overnight family enjoyment.

Recreation

Misty Mount offers a number of nearby recreation opportunities. The trailhead to Catoctin Mountain Park's trail system at Wolf Rock is a short walk from the camp. Catoctin has over 25 miles (40 km) of trails with stunning overlooks. Wildlife watching, bouldering, rock climbing and fly fishing are popular activities along with hiking and camping. Kids and adults enjoy the camp's swimming pool, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Facilities

These rustic American chestnut cabins can accommodate three to eight people. They have interior and exterior lighting, metal cots with vinyl mattresses, waste and recycle bins and broom. The (3) lodges and cabin 16 have a table and bench seating. The exterior of each cabin site has a picnic table, and fire ring/grill. Firewood is available in woodsheds located in the lower loop and near the host cabin. Centrally located comfort stations include hot showers, flush toilets and sinks. Lower loop has the women's facilities, middle loop has the men's facility, and the upper loop has both men's and women's facilities. Three dishwashing stations are located throughout the camp. Water from the dishwashing stations is potable. The swimming pool is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The dining hall with a commercial kitchen is available for group rentals only. In order to reserve it, groups must reserve at least 7 cabins. The dining hall/ kitchen facility does not have its own designated restrooms or parking. Reservations for the dining hall must be made by contacting the Camp Manager at [email protected].

Camp Misty Mount is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additional questions about the facility should be directed to the Camp Manager via email at [email protected] or by calling 301-271-3140.

Natural Features

Camp Misty Mount is surrounded by Eastern deciduous hardwood forests on the slopes of Catoctin Mountain Park. The region is part of the Blue Ridge Province and offers access to scenic mountain views and clear streams.

Nearby Attractions

Interconnected hiking trails can be reached from Misty Mount on the Wolf Rock Trail, or by driving within a mile of the camp. Try the Hog Rock Trail or the Thurmont Vista Trail for phenomenal views of the valleys below. Visitors can hike to Cunningham Falls, the tallest waterfall in Maryland, from the Visitor Center.

The description, directions and fees are the National Park Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • accessible swimming
  • camping
  • climbing
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • interpretive programs
  • photography
  • ranger station
  • swimming

The land around Camp Misty Mount

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated August 5, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.