National Park Service · Maryland

Owens Creek Campground

National Park Service · Maryland, United States · in Catoctin Mountain Park

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
51
Hookups
50 no hookups
Season
April 24 to November 2
Max RV length
30 ft
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
Yes
Dump station
No
Laundry
No
Pets
Yes
Elevation
1,289 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 4
Cell coverage
T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Catoctin Mountain Park
Nearest town
Thurmont
Address
6602 Foxville Rd, Thurmont, MD, 21788
Phone
301-663-9388
Activities
Amphitheater, Camping, Educational Programs, Emergency Services, Fishing, Hiking, Museum, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

51 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

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.

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.

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

The campground is surrounded by a rolling landscape, perfect for hikes of any level from easy to extremely strenuous. Owens Creek flows past the campground providing a peaceful setting beside a bubbling brook. Whether blanketed in snow in winter months, brilliant with color in the fall or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Owens Creek offers beautiful scenery all year.

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.

Fees

Camping Fee: $30. Fee provides for overnight camping. No hookups are available, but restrooms, hot showers, and potable water are available at no extra cost.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January36°23°0°54°11 of 11
February40°27°4°66°11 of 11
March51°32°6°71°10 of 11
April64°42°25°85°5 of 11
May70°53°36°90°0 of 11
June77°59°51°90°0 of 11
July84°67°58°99°0 of 11
August82°67°56°93°0 of 11
September77°61°47°93°0 of 11
October62°45°34°79°0 of 10
November49°34°22°66°9 of 10
December40°29°13°61°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Maryland · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-23. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.