2013 Spring Activities Schedule and Road Openings

Date: March 15, 2013

Catoctin Mountain Park Announces Road Openings and Spring Activities Schedule

 
See news release.

Park Central and Manahan Roads Reopen After Seasonal Closures

The closed portions of Park Central in Catoctin Mountain Park will reopen on Wednesday, March 19. The closed portion of Manahan Road will reopen on Friday, March 21. These roads were closed to vehicle traffic in December making them available for winter recreation.

Park Central Road and Manahan Road will remain open after these dates until mid-December as weather conditions permit. Please direct questions regarding the status of park roads to the Visitor Center at [phone], or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cato.

Orienteering (Map and Compass Reading) - Sundays, March 17 and 24, and Saturdays, March 23 and 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center

Orienteering classes consist of an indoor slide program that introduces maps and their components as well as the orienteering compass that allows the user to determine the direction of travel. After learning how to use the compass in conjunction with the map, participants are given the opportunity to complete a short outdoor course. The outdoor course requires going off-trail in varied terrain so wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Maps and compasses are provided for the day. The program is free but is recommended for ages 10 and older. Class size is limited so reservations are required. Please make your reservation by calling the Visitor Center at [phone].

Bell and History Day – Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Recreation Hall in Camp Greentop

Catoctin Mountain Park joins the Frederick Historic Sites Consortium in celebrating Bell and History Dayby conducting an Outdoor School Reunion at the Recreation Hall in Camp Greentop on Saturday, April 6. The public is invited to walk down memory lane to the Frederick County Outdoor School Program that invited all 6^th graders in Frederick County from 1957 through 1996 to spend several days and nights learning the importance of the natural environment. Current Catoctin High School students will be on site to collect oral history memories from former students and to scan photographs and documents for an Outdoor School archive as part of a Park Stewards program sponsored by the National Park Foundation. Former Outdoor School teachers are returning to lead hikes and tell campfire stories. We will ring the Greentop bell for one minute at 10 am as part of the Bell and History celebration. Stamp your Passport to History and earn credit towards your bell.

Spring Wildflower walks – Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m., and, Sunday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. at the Owens Creek Picnic Area

Join a ranger at the Brown's Farm Trail in Owens Creek Picnic Area at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday,

April 27 or Sunday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. for an interpretive wildflower walk. Together, you will explore an easy ½ mile trail that meanders through several types of habitat. The ranger will acquaint you with the flowers that are blooming, and will tell you why they are so particular about where they grow and when they flower.

Owens Creek Campground – Opens for family camping beginning May 3

Owens Creek Campground will open on a first-come, first-served basis at 12 noon on May 3. Each site is limited to one camping unit (tent or trailer) and a maximum of 5 people. Maximum tent size is 9'x12'. Trailers up to 22' in length are accepted but there are no hookups. The fee is $20.00 per night.

Camp Misty Mount – Cabin rentals available April 26 through October 28

Cabins may be rented in historic Camp Misty Mount from April 26 through October 28. Rustic chestnut cabins constructed by the Works Progress Administration are available to individuals, families and groups. Reservations are now accepted on-line at recreation .gov or by calling 877-444-6777. The camp office can be reached by phone at 301-271-3140.

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of over 395 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato.General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at(301) 663-9388.