Weekend availability at Adirondack Shelters
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 11:24 PM PTSold out 5 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Sold out
- Fri, Oct 23Limited1/2 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Adirondack Shelters?
as of September 18Weekends book out well ahead here — 2 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Adirondack Shelters and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 2
About this campground
Overview The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provide a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape. Recreation The shelters are for backcountry hikers looking for a remote getaway. Watching birds (aka "birding") is a popular form of wildlife observation. Catoctin offers a 25-mile (40 km) hiking trail system, fishing, picnicking, and frontcountry cabins and campgrounds in addition to the more primitive Adirondack shelters. Facilities This is a rustic backcountry area with no vehicle access or potable water. There is one pit toilet for each shelter. Campers must carry adequate drinking water and supplies and pack trash out at the conclusion of their stay. The two shelters are several hundred feet apart, making them close enough for groups to use both, but far enough away to offer privacy. The sites are available year-round and can accommodate five campers. Tents or temporary structures are not permitted inside the shelters or surrounding area. Campfire rings are provided. Natural Features Located about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park lies within the mountainous Blue Ridge Province of north-central Maryland. Scenic overlooks extend across the Monocacy Valley. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (301) 663-9388. Nearby Attractions Head to Wolf Rock for scenic vistas and thrilling rock climbing and rappelling. Or tour historic Camp Misty Mount, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Getting there
Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 miles (8 km) to Foxville Road. Turn right and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area. You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of 3 miles (4.8 km). GPS coordinates for Shelter #1 are 39° 40' 37.8001" N 77° 29' 3.8000" W Shelter #2 is nearby (visible from) Shelter #1. Hikers: protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing the shelters or other park features. Obtain trail maps at the park Visitor Center or download them from the Catoctin Mountain Park Hiking web page. Hilly terrain and the forest canopy can prevent satellite signals from reaching your unit increasing the importance of a back-up strategy.
Activities
- DAY USE AREA
- CAMPING
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.