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Gambrill State Park has its beginnings when public-spirited conservationists of
Frederick County purchased this tract of land on Catoctin Mountain and donated
it to the City of Frederick to be used for a municipal mountain park. On
September 7, 1934, the City presented the acreage to the State for use as a
state park, which was later named to honor the late James H. Gambrill, Jr., a
Frederick resident and leading advocate of the conservation of natural
resources.
Three native stone overlooks, strategically located on the 1600-foot summit of
High Knob, midway between the Mason-Dixon Line and the Potomac River, offer
excellent and exciting views of the surrounding area. On a clear day, looking
north, a visitor can see the rugged tree-covered mountains of the Frederick City
Municipal Forest, one of the State's best managed watersheds. Looking south, one
can see Crampton's Gap, a Civil War Landmark and the site of Gathland State
Park, and the Middletown and Monocacy Valleys. South Mountain, where many
engagements between Confederate and Union troops took place during the Civil
War, can be seen to the West.
Gambrill State Park comes alive in the spring, with the flowering of many trees
and shrubs, highlighted by the blooming of the dogwood trees in late May and the
abundance of the beautiful mountain laurel's large white flowers in early June.
Two separate areas of Gambrill State Park provide recreational facilities and
activities for visitors of all ages. The Rock Run area is located at the park
entrance. The High Knob area is located at the top of Catoctin Mountain.
View a trail and camp loop map.
Features
Check out camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter
service charges.
* Picnicking - Picnic tables, grills, shelters, modern restrooms and playground
facilities are available at Gambrill State Park. The High Knob area offers three
shelters, available for rent from April through October, as well as a lodge-type
native stone shelter, The Tea Room. The balcony of the Tea Room faces beautiful
vistas, while a huge stone fireplace dominates the interior. The building
accommodates 75 people and has a kitchen designed for cooking and serving food.
Pets are not allowed in the picnic areas or the Tea Room.
* Hiking and Nature Trails - For those interested in hiking and observing nature
and wildlife, there are 13 miles of wooded trails. A wide variety of birds,
wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs can be viewed along these trails. Leashed
pets are allowed on all trails.
Cover of the Trail Guide View a copy of the Gambrill State Park Trail Guide.
This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the multi-use trails, is
available for sale at Cunningham State Park headquarters and the Gambrill Ranger
Station.
To purchase copies of the Gambrill State Park Trail Guide with a credit card,
please "click" on this link to place your order online.
To purchase copies of the Gambrill State Park Trail Guide with a check, please
"click" on this link to print an order form.
* Interpretive Programs - A Nature Lodge is located in the High Knob area.
Scheduled nature walks and evening campfire programs are conducted periodically
throughout the summer season. Schedules are posted at various locations within
the park.
* Camping - Camping is permitted in the upper portion of the Rock Run area,
where a modern washhouse with showers and hot water is available from April
through mid-October. The camping area accommodates up to 30 family units. The
park also offers four camper cabins. Senior citizen rate applies only on
non-holiday Sunday through Thursday nights. |
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