Timeline
06:19
Grab a hot breakfast at Thurmont Kountry Kitchen. It opens at 06:00, so you can start here well before the park does. Their broasted chicken and southern comfort food are a great way to fuel up for the hike.
07:19
Walk to Cunningham Falls State Park for the sunrise. The light hits the cascading waterfall and the historic iron furnace ruins just as the sun clears the horizon. It is the largest waterfall in Maryland and feels vast and empty this early.
08:04
Hike up to Cat Rock. It is only a short walk from the main park area. The view from the top looks out over the forest and the lake, giving you a full sense of the Catoctin Mountain landscape as the day warms up.
08:34
End your morning at Bollinger's Restaurant for lunch. It is a cozy spot specializing in barbecue, located just a short walk from the park entrance. The down-home cooking fits perfectly after an outdoor morning.
Local tip
The park is quietest right at sunrise. By mid-morning, the trails can get busy, so getting there early pays off.
Check before you go
- Thurmont Kountry Kitchen is open daily from 06:00 to 21:00.
- Bollinger's Restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 20:00, and Sunday from 07:00 to 14:00. Check if your visit falls on a Sunday afternoon.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Thurmont (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).