Thurmont, MD

1. Cunningham Falls State Park

Cunningham Falls State Park is a lovely state park near the city of Thurmont, best known as the home of its namesake falls, Maryland's largest cascading waterfall. The park is one of several protected park areas on the face of Catoctin Mountain, along with neighboring Catoctin Mountain Park and Frederick Municipal Forest.

Abandoned pioneer-era structures and natural wonders can be seen preserved throughout the park, including an abandoned iron mine and the ruins of the third Catoctin Iron Furnace, operated throughout the mid-19th century by Jacob Kinkel.

A 43-acre manmade lake offers opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing throughout the year, while Big Hunting Creek serves as one of Maryland's premiere trout fishing destinations.

Other recreational opportunities include chances for hiking, hunting, and camping throughout the year.

14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, Phone: 301-271-7574

2. Catoctin Mountain Park

Catoctin Mountain Park is a gorgeous National Park Service-operated park located adjacent to Cunningham Falls State Park, stretching for eight square miles on the face of Catoctin Mountain.

The park showcases some of the Monocacy Valley's most beautiful panoramas and natural wonders, ranging from sparkling streams to views of the stunning Catoctin Mountain range.

Many of its historic structures were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as part of Great Depression-era civic projects. Visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for trout fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing throughout the year.

The park is also home to the internationally-famed Camp David presidential retreat, which is not open to the public.

6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 301-663-9388

3. Catoctin Mountain Orchard

Catoctin Mountain Orchard was founded in 1948 by Harry Black and Iran Kelbaugh, located along Maryland Route 15 just north of the city of Thurmont, MD. The farm and orchard facility, which stretches across 100 acres, produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, ranging from apples, cherries, and peaches to kiwi berries, nectarines, and black raspberries. All produce is cultivated to take advantage of the rich soil composition and terroir of the Eastern Appalachian range. An open-air market has been operated since 1983, selling produce throughout the year in season in a temperature-controlled environment. A cut-your-own-flowers area is also offered, along with a family-friendly playground and a bakery selling home-cooked baked goods.

15036 North Franklinville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 301-271-2737

4. Loys Station Covered Bridge

Loys Station Covered Bridge is a charming king-post wooden covered bridge located near the city of Thurmont, originally constructed in 1848. The bridge is named for a nearby historic Western Maryland Railroad Station, which once stopped near the city of Loys. In 1978, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Though the bridge burned to the ground in 1991 due to arson, it was rebuilt using surviving framing and maintains its historic character today. The new bridge has been modified to include a pier at the center of its span, which crosses over picturesque Owen's Creek.

13506 Old Frederick Rd, Rocky Ridge, MD 21778, Phone: 301-600-1646

5. Catoctin Breeze Vineyard and Winery

Catoctin Breeze Vineyard and Winery is an award-winning winery known for its high-quality Cabernet Franc varietals, which received the Best in Show designation at the 2018 Maryland Governor's Cup.

The winery, which first harvested in 2012, is a family-owned operation located atop a hill overlooking the panoramas of the Catoctin Mountains and the Emmitsburg Valley.

Visitors can stop in at the winery's public tasting room, which is open throughout the week and serves up tasting flights and samples.

Private tastings and tours are available for groups of six or more with advance reservations. Guests are welcome to enjoy purchased bottles of wine on the winery's gorgeous pet-friendly grounds, which overlook its vineyard plantings.

15010 Roddy Road Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 240-578-3831

6. Roddy Road Covered Bridge

Roddy Road Covered Bridge is Maryland's shortest covered bridge, stretching for a length of 39 feet, four inches. The bridge is the state's only single king-post truss bridge, sitting at the corner of Roddy Road and Roddy Creek Road near United States Route 15 and the city of Thurmont. It was originally constructed sometime around 1850 and is believed to have been connected to Confederate General JEB Stuart during the American Civil War's Gettysburg campaign. In 2011, the National Historic Covered Bridge Program began rehabilitations of the bridge to return it to its historic condition, but in 2016, the bridge was heavily damaged by an oversized truck crash. An entirely new replica of the bridge was constructed in 2016 and can be traveled over today, showcasing lovely views for motorists.

7. Catoctin Furnace

Catoctin Furnace is an historic iron forge located within Cunningham Falls State Park, originally constructed in 1774 by brothers James, Baker, Roger, and Thomas Johnson as a facility for the production of pig iron from locally-mined hematite. The furnace famously supplied ammunition during the American Revolutionary War and is believed to have created plates for the USS Monitor. Three furnaces have been operated at the site, including the current furnace structure. Though the furnace ceased operation in 1903, its remains can be explored as part of self-guided walking tours with maps available from the park's visitor center. It is protected through the efforts of the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, which celebrates the history of the region's pre-revolutionary industrial village.

12610 Catoctin Furnace Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 443-463-6437

8. Links Bridge Vineyards

Links Bridge Vineyards has been crafting small-batch estate wines for nearly a decade from premium grapes grown along the banks of the scenic Monocacy River. The winery is located just north of the city of Frederick at the site of beautiful Old Links Bridge. It has been owned and operated by Joan Cartier and Robert Thompson since its founding and is inspired by the farming operations of its neighboring properties. Visitors can sample wines at the winery's tasting room throughout the week and try delicious wine varietals, including high-quality signature Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Albariño wines. Wine flights allow for comparing and contrasting of wine styles. Sample fees are waived for those who purchase two or more bottles of wine to go.

8830 Old Links Bridge Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, Phone: 301-466-2413

9. Utica Mills Covered Bridge

Utica Mills Covered Bridge is a National Register of Historic Places-listed covered bridge that was constructed as early as 1843, originally known as the Devilbiss Road Covered Bridge. The bridge was washed away in 1889 following the disastrous Johnstown Flood and reconstructed along Utica Road two years later, spanning the distance over Fishing Creek. It still showcases tumber from the original bridge, which earns it its historic designation. A major rehabilitation of the bridge in 1996 increased the bridge's load limit to 15 tons. Today, it remains one of Frederick County's only three rehabilitated historic bridges, along with Roddy Road and Loys Station Bridges.