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Sunset

Golden Light at Catoctin

Catch the late afternoon glow over the wildlife preserve and finish with a quiet walk in the park.

Best time: 17:09About 120 min

Timeline

  1. 15:39

    Thurmont Kountry Kitchen

    Grab a quick bite at Thurmont Kountry Kitchen. Their broasted chicken and Southern breakfast items are reliable fuel for the afternoon.

  2. 16:29

    Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

    Head to Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Arrive before the light fades to explore the grounds and spot the animals in the warm, low-angle sun.

  3. 17:09

    Cunningham Falls State Park

    Walk to Cunningham Falls State Park. The western exposure offers a clear view of the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the falls and the surrounding woods.

  4. 17:54

    Bollinger's Restaurant

    End the evening with barbecue at Bollinger's Restaurant. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for winding down after a day outside.

Local tip

Check the route to Cunningham Falls State Park as there is no direct walking path from the preserve. The drive takes a few minutes, so factor that into your timing.

Check before you go

  • Thurmont Kountry Kitchen opens at 06:00, so it will be open for your pre-sunset snack.
  • Bollinger's Restaurant closes at 20:00 on weekdays and 14:00 on Sundays. If you are visiting on a Sunday, this step will not work; consider Mountaingate Family Restaurant (open until 22:00) instead.

Worth knowing

  • Bollinger's Restaurant is open at 17:54 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Thurmont (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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