News Release

Catoctin Mountain Park wants your input on plan to improve park trail system

Date: January 5, 2022
Contact: Rick Slade, 301-663-6751
Contact: Phillip Greenwalt, 240-385-2814

Thurmont, Md. – The National Park Service (NPS) invites public review of a proposal to improve the trail system at Catoctin Mountain Park. A comprehensive trail system plan will provide guidance for enhancing the park’s trail system and the visitor experience, while continuing to protect natural and cultural resources. You’re invited to review an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project and submit comments from Jan. 5 through Feb. 3, 2022. 

Catoctin Mountain Park currently has 25 miles of developed trails which provide several scenic viewpoints, universally accessible trails and six miles of horseback riding trails. A number of the park’s trails were designed as part of the park’s original master plan and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration crews in the 1930s and 1940s. 

A comprehensive trail system plan would provide park managers with a long-term management framework to:  

• Manage and maintain existing trails.  
• Add new trails and access points.   
• Provide more connected and looped trail experiences. 
• Close or realign existing trails.   
• Create trails that are accessible to visitors with disabilities. 
• Consider allowing use of bicycles on an administrative road. 
• Improve vehicle and pedestrian circulation within the park. 
• Create connections to local, regional and national trail systems, including the Appalachian Trail.  
• Improve and add parking areas.  
• Designate a Fly Fishing Heritage Trail. 

How to comment: Public participation is vital to the planning process. You are invited to review and provide comments on the EA from Jan. 5 through Feb. 3, 2022. To provide comments online or find additional information on the project, visit the NPS planning website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato_trailplan.  

If you prefer to mail your comments, make sure they are postmarked by Feb. 3, 2022 to receive consideration. Mail comments to the following address: 

Superintendent 

Attn: Comprehensive Trail System Plan 

6602 Foxville Road 

Thurmont, MD 21788

Public participation is vital to the planning process, which is conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). 

-NPS- 

About Catoctin Mountain Park: Catoctin Mountain Park, one of America’s 423 national parks, protects cabins, roads, trails and other structures that were constructed during the Depression era as a Recreational Demonstration Area. Today the park offers the public valuable outdoor recreation opportunities in a natural setting. Learn more at www.nps.gov/cato or follow us on Facebook.