Weekly Family Day Trip: Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, MD

Hi friends! Welcome to week four of my weekly series exploring kid-friendly destinations within a 90-minute drive of Westminster. We have hit go-karts, a children's museum, and a historic river town. This week we are going all-in on nature, and I could not be more excited.

Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont, Maryland is about 40 minutes from Westminster. That is a quick, easy drive up Route 15 past rolling farmland and into the Catoctin Mountains. And when you get there? You get a lake with a sandy swimming beach, Maryland's highest cascading waterfall (78 feet), and hiking trails that even the littlest legs can handle. It is the kind of day trip that feels like a full vacation packed into a single afternoon.

The Vibe

Cunningham Falls has two main areas: the William Houck Area (where the lake, beach, campground, and easiest trail to the falls are located) and the Manor Area (which has more trails and a separate parking entrance). For a family day trip, the William Houck Area is where you want to be. It has everything: a lifeguarded swimming beach, restrooms and showers, changing rooms, a playground, picnic tables and grills, a concession stand, and boat rentals for rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats.

The vibe is classic summer camp. You hear kids laughing from the beach, the clank of a volleyball, the splash of someone jumping off a paddle boat. It is busy on warm weekends, but the park is big enough that you never feel cramped. And then you take the short hike into the woods, and suddenly it is quiet and green and cool, and you forget you are only 40 minutes from home.

What to Do

Hike to Cunningham Falls

This is the main event. The 78-foot waterfall is Maryland's highest cascading waterfall, and the hike to it from the William Houck Area is delightfully short. The Lower Trail is a half-mile walk on a wide, well-graded path — easy enough for toddlers in a carrier and manageable for preschoolers walking on their own. The trail follows a creek through a hemlock forest, with benches and interpretive signs along the way. At the end, the waterfall cascades over a massive rock face into a shallow pool.

My kids spent a solid 20 minutes splashing in the pool at the base of the falls (the water is shallow and safe for wading). Bring water shoes because the rocks can be slippery. The Cliff Trail is a slightly longer (0.75-mile) option that loops back via a viewing platform above the falls, but for little kids the Lower Trail round-trip is the sweet spot.

Swim at Hunting Creek Lake

The 43-acre lake has a beautiful sandy beach with designated swimming areas and lifeguards on duty during summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). There are two beach areas, north and south, both with restrooms and shower buildings nearby. The water is clean, clear, and warm by late August. My kids could have stayed in the water all day. The beach does get crowded on hot weekends, so arriving before 10 AM is your best bet for a good spot.

Rent a Paddle Boat or Canoe

Boat rentals are available at the lake during the summer season. You can rent rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats by the hour. A paddle boat is a fantastic family activity — you and the kids pedal together across the lake, and the views of the surrounding mountains are gorgeous. The lake is small enough that you cannot get lost, and only non-motorized and electric boats are allowed, so it stays peaceful. My kids loved spotting turtles sunning themselves on logs near the shore.

Playground and Picnic Area

Near the beach there is a playground with swings and climbing structures that will keep the kids entertained while you get lunch together. The park has plenty of picnic tables and grills scattered throughout the Houck Area, and there are reservable picnic shelters if you are visiting with a bigger group. Pack a cooler with sandwiches and snacks, grab a table near the lake, and enjoy a proper picnic lunch with a view.

Visit the Nature Center

The park has a small Nature Center with exhibits about the local plants, animals, and geology. It is a nice air-conditioned break on a hot day, and the kids can see taxidermy animals, touch furs and skulls, and ask a ranger questions about what they saw on the trail. The rangers are wonderful and love talking to curious kids.

Visiting Hours & Admission

• Park hours: April through October, 8:00 AM to sunset. November through March, 10:00 AM to sunset.
• Summer admission (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Weekdays: $3/person for Maryland residents, $5/person for non-residents. Weekends & holidays: $5/person for Maryland residents, $7/person for non-residents. Children under 6 are free.
• Off-peak admission: $3/vehicle for Maryland residents, $5/vehicle for non-residents.
• Boat rentals: Available seasonally. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are available for hourly rental at the lake. Cash and cards accepted.
• Swimming: Lifeguards on duty daily during summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). No swimming outside guarded hours.
• Phone: William Houck Area: (301) 271-7574

What to Pack

• Swimsuits, towels, and water shoes — you will want them for both the beach and the waterfall wading pool. Water shoes are essential for the slippery rocks at the falls.
• Sunscreen and sun hats — the beach has direct sun and the reflection off the water is intense. Reapply often.
• Cooler with lunch and plenty of water — there is a concession stand near the beach, but lines can be long and the menu is limited. A packed picnic is the way to go.
• Hiking shoes or sturdy sandals — the Lower Trail is easy, but the rocks near the falls can be uneven. Strap-on sandals work great.
• Bug spray — the woods and lakeshore can have mosquitoes, especially in the late afternoon.
• A change of clothes in a Ziploc bag — the car ride home is a lot more pleasant when everyone is dry.
• Fishing poles (if you have them) — the lake has bass and panfish. A Maryland fishing license is required for ages 16+.

Tips for Parents

• Arrive before 10 AM on weekends. The park reaches capacity on warm summer days, and the gates close when the parking lots fill up. To avoid the dreaded "Sorry, we are full" sign, get there early and claim your spot.
• Do the waterfall hike first. The trail is shaded and cooler in the morning, and the waterfall pool is a refreshing reward before the heat of the day. Save the lake swim for late morning and early afternoon when the sun is highest.
• Bring cash for the concession stand and boat rentals. Cards are accepted, but having cash makes everything faster, especially at the rental booth.
• Reserve a picnic shelter if you are bringing a group. The shelters are popular and book up fast. You can reserve online through the Maryland DNR website.
• Pack a dry bag for your phone and keys. A simple Ziploc or a proper dry bag keeps your essentials safe while you are at the beach or wading at the falls.
• The playground is a great mid-day reset. When the kids need a break from swimming or hiking, the playground near the beach gives them a change of scenery while you sit on a bench and catch your breath.

The Bottom Line

Cunningham Falls State Park is the kind of destination that checks every box for a family day trip. It is close (40 minutes from Westminster), affordable (under $20 for a family of four), and packed with variety — hiking, swimming, boating, picnicking, and even a playground. The waterfall is genuinely impressive, the lake is beautiful, and the whole experience feels like a proper vacation without the hotel bill or the long car ride.

This is one of my favorite spots in Carroll County's backyard, and I hope you and your family love it as much as mine does. Go catch those last golden days of summer!

Warmly, Nikki