Adirondack Shelters

4.36

64 reviews

Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

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Featured in:Primitive Camping Maryland#2 Mountain Camping Maryland Spring Camping Maryland +4 more

Quick Facts

1,529 ft

Price

$8 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Catoctin Mountain Park - National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

1,529 ft

Price

$8 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Catoctin Mountain Park - National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Adirondack Shelters

$8.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Adirondack shelters are free, but reservation fees apply: $8 for online bookings and $10 for phone reservations through Recreation.gov.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

301-663-9388

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What Campers Say

4.36

Recommended

Based on 64 reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

Some mention

noise

"The Adirondack Shelters received mixed reviews. Many users praise the location's seclusion, natural beauty, and suitability for backcountry camping. However, others highlight issues such as the condition of the pit toilet and occasional difficulties with trail markings."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

Adirondack Shelters

Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

Driving directionsTake Route 77 west 5 miles to Foxville Road, turn right and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow Parking Area. Hikers must protect park resources by using the trail system when accessing shelters or other features. Trail maps can be obtained at the park Visitor Center or downloaded from the Catoctin Mountain Park website.

Road access to shelters is restricted as this is a hike-in backcountry site. Overnight vehicles must park in the Camp Round Meadow gravel lot, followed by a moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky terrain to reach shelters. No motorized vehicles or bicycles are permitted.

Nearby places

Thurmont is approximately 5 miles away

Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD are both about 60 miles from the campground.

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are available in Thurmont, located about 5 miles from the park.

Best Time to Camp at Adirondack Shelters

Four distinct seasons paint the landscape in ever-changing hues throughout the year. Spring and fall bring crisp, moderate temperatures perfect for hiking, while summer offers warm days balanced by cool mountain evenings. Rain transforms the forest into a lush, emerald sanctuary and creates a natural mosquito deterrent, though trails can become delightfully muddy adventures. Winter unveils a crystalline wonderland where experienced cold-weather campers can enjoy pristine solitude beneath snow-dusted branches, with the occasional dusting turning the shelters into cozy mountain retreats.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Warm days with canopy shade; summer listed as a viable season though fall/spring preferred by many.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in MD

Seasonal leaf changes are highlighted as 'breathtaking'; fall is a favored season for visitors.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers crisp, moderate temps and good hiking; scenic beauty noted in spring as well.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 2% in MD

Open year-round; winter camping reviews are generally positive, appreciated for quiet and solitude.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1 - December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The shelters are open year-round.

About Adirondack Shelters

Escape into the wilderness at Adirondack Shelters, where adventure begins with every step along the trail. These secluded backcountry havens in Catoctin Mountain Park offer an authentic off-grid experience, accessible only by foot through forested paths. Each rustic shelter welcomes up to five adventurers seeking refuge from the modern world, complete with a crackling campfire ring for evening storytelling and shared pit toilet facilities. With no vehicle access or running water, this is camping stripped down to its purest form—just you, your gear, and the untamed beauty of Maryland's mountains.

The Adirondack Shelters provide a unique backcountry camping experience with rustic three-sided shelters. They are accessible only by foot after a three-mile hike.

Historical SignificanceHistory whispers through the trees surrounding your mountain sanctuary. Just a short hike away, the storied Camp Misty Mount stands as a testament to the area's rich past, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places with tales of presidential retreats and wartime conferences. For those seeking vertical adventures, the legendary Wolf Rock beckons climbers and rappellers to test their mettle against ancient stone faces that have challenged adventurers for generations.

Weather and SeasonsFour distinct seasons paint the landscape in ever-changing hues throughout the year. Spring and fall bring crisp, moderate temperatures perfect for hiking, while summer offers warm days balanced by cool mountain evenings. Rain transforms the forest into a lush, emerald sanctuary and creates a natural mosquito deterrent, though trails can become delightfully muddy adventures. Winter unveils a crystalline wonderland where experienced cold-weather campers can enjoy pristine solitude beneath snow-dusted branches, with the occasional dusting turning the shelters into cozy mountain retreats.

ElevationPerched within the majestic Blue Ridge Province, these mountain shelters offer the perfect vantage point to experience Maryland's highland wilderness. While specific elevation markers remain nature's secret, the terrain's gentle rise and fall creates natural amphitheaters of forest and sky, where morning mists dance through valleys and evening light paints the ridgelines gold.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the cathedral-like grandeur of a mature Eastern Hardwood Forest, where towering oaks and maples create a living canopy overhead. From strategic overlooks, sweeping vistas unfold across the Monocacy Valley, revealing a patchwork quilt of forests, fields, and distant ridgelines. This pristine ecosystem serves as nature's theater, where deer emerge at dawn, songbirds orchestrate the sunrise, and seasonal transformations—from spring's delicate wildflowers to autumn's blazing foliage—create an ever-changing masterpiece of natural beauty.

Geological RegionDiscover the ancient backbone of north-central Maryland in Catoctin Mountain Park's Blue Ridge Province, where millions of years of geological drama have sculpted a landscape of rolling peaks and hidden valleys. This mountainous terrain, cloaked in Eastern Hardwood Forests, rises like an emerald island above the surrounding countryside. Scenic overlooks carved by time and weather reveal breathtaking panoramas stretching across the Monocacy Valley, where the earth's story unfolds in layers of rock, forest, and sky.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

User reviews suggest check-in flexibility, but no official time is listed.

Check-out

User reviews suggest check-out flexibility, but no official time is listed.

Stay Limit

Maximum of 7 consecutive nights per visit, up to 14 nights total annually.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 5 campers per shelter.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo Adirondack shelters are spaced several hundred feet apart, offering privacy for individual groups.

Reservation PlatformsBookings can be made through Recreation.gov online or via their call center at 877-444-6777.

Walk-in AvailabilityReservations are required, no walk-up sites are available.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled up to the day of check-in, with a $10 cancellation fee and potential forfeiture of the first night’s recreation use fee. Late cancellations incur additional penalties. Changes to reservations cost $10 if dates are altered outside the original reservation period.

AccessibilityAccessibility is limited due to the remote location and the three-mile uphill hike required to reach the site.

Site SizeThe two shelters can accommodate a maximum of five campers each.

PrivacyThe shelters are several hundred feet apart, offering privacy while still being close enough for groups to use both.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesShelter #1 offers more privacy due to its distance from Shelter #2. Shelter #2 is closer to a natural water source.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The Adirondack Shelters cater primarily to backcountry hikers and nature enthusiasts. The campground is an excellent spot for birdwatching, with "birding" being a popular activity. The nearby Catoctin Mountain Park boasts a 25-mile hiking trail system, fishing opportunities, and scenic overlooks. Activities like picnicking in designated areas are also mentioned. Some reviews highlight the shelters as "a great starting point for hikes around the park."

HikingThe campground is accessible via a moderate three-mile hike. The park has a 25-mile trail system with varying terrain. User reviews mention trails being "well-marked," though some hikers found the approach "rugged."

ClimbingClimbing opportunities may be available in nearby natural areas such as rocky outcrops, boulders, or cliff faces. Visitors should bring appropriate gear and check local regulations or park guidelines before attempting any climbs.

FishingFishing is permitted in Catoctin Mountain Park, though no specific details about the types of fish or fishing facilities near the Adirondack Shelters are provided.

Wildlife viewingBirdwatching is noted as a popular activity. One user reported seeing a doe and her fawn near the shelters.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include poison ivy along trails and muddy conditions after rain. Bats may nest in shelter rafters but pose no direct threat to campers.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfire rings are provided; campers must collect wood from downed trees and are prohibited from cutting live trees.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services, including hospitals and police stations, are located in Thurmont approximately 5 miles away. Ranger stations are available within Catoctin Mountain Park.

Trash & RecyclingCampers must pack out all trash as there are no trash or recycling facilities available on-site.

Water FeaturesShelter #2 is near a natural water source accessible after rain.

Weather at Adirondack Shelters

Reviews

4.4

64 reviews

Recommended

Adirondack Shelters is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

The Adirondack Shelters received mixed reviews. Many users praise the location's seclusion, natural beauty, and suitability for backcountry camping. However, others highlight issues such as the condition of the pit toilet and occasional difficulties with trail markings.

Review Summaries

Based on 64 reviews

What Campers Love

Users often praised the seclusion, scenic surroundings, and simplicity of the shelters. "Great short backpacking destination," "peaceful and beautiful place," and "perfect for testing out new gear"...

Based on 64 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include unclean pit toilets ("nightmare fuel"), uneven or dangerous steps, and trail marking issues. One user noted, "It is very easy to get lost, and the trail markings are not very...

Based on 64 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water, a broom, and washcloths. Prepare for a challenging hike and pack light. Dry firewood can be hard to find, so consider bringing your own. One user noted, "The hike up was well...

Based on 64 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter camping reviews are generally positive, with users appreciating the quiet and solitude. Spring and fall are favored for their scenic beauty, particularly with changing leaves.

Based on 64 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The northern shelter is less shaded and closer to noise from passing road traffic," "shelters are profoundly dirty and smelly, but welcome for shade," "lovely spot in the woods," "shelters were...

Based on 64 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Shelter #1 is noted for being closer to road noise. Shelter #2 is described as more private but affected by carpenter bees. Both shelters received similar feedback on cleanliness and usability.

Based on 64 reviews