3
Total Campsites
Campground
3
Reservable Sites
Check by phone
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND
Overview Poplar Grove offers youth groups and organizations enjoyable year-round primitive tent camping. Located just steps away from the Catoctin Mountain Park portion of the Catoctin National Recreation Trail in the rolling hills of Thurmont, Maryland. Poplar Grove allows youth groups to experience traditional wilderness camping in a beautiful, natural setting. Recreation As a primitive camping area, Poplar Grove encourages youth to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. Catoctin Mountain Park offers 25 miles of trails for additional hiking opportunities. Facilities As a primitive camping area, Poplar Grove encourages youth to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. Catoctin Mountain Park offers 25 miles of trails for additional hiking opportunities. Natural Features Poplar Grove offers tree sheltered, flat tent sites. The campground is surrounded by a hardwood decidious forest. Whether blanketed in snow in winter months or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Poplar Grove offers beautiful scenery all year. Since the site is located in a remote area, it is accessed by a gravel road during summer months, and is a hike-in only facility during winter months. Nearby Attractions The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is located four miles away and offers interpretive programs. Just three miles away, visitors can enjoy fishing and canoeing at Cunningham Falls State Park. Cunningham Falls charges a daily entrance fee. contact_info Charges & Cancellations Important Information on Late Cancellations A cancellation is considered late if it occurs the day before or the day of arrival . Customers will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
- 3 total campsites listed.
- Most common site type: group standard nonelectric (3).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Our Take
What makes POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND special
Nestled in the forested hills of Catoctin Mountain Park in central Maryland, Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground offers a back-to-basics outdoor experience for scout troops, school groups, and other youth organizations looking to unplug and reconnect with nature. This primitive tent-only campground is set among hardwood forests and mountain laurel thickets, providing a peaceful retreat just a short drive from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The campground is designed specifically for organized youth groups and features a rustic, undeveloped character that encourages self-reliance and outdoor skills. There are no hookups or modern amenities here, just open space, fresh air, and the sounds of the Appalachian forest. Vault toilets are available, and groups should come prepared to pack in water and supplies. Catoctin Mountain Park itself offers excellent hiking on trails ranging from easy nature walks to moderate ridge climbs, with scenic overlooks that are particularly stunning during fall foliage season from mid-October through early November. The park is also home to Cunningham Falls, a beautiful 78-foot cascading waterfall that makes for a rewarding day hike destination. Poplar Grove is open year-round, and reservations are required. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons for camping here, with mild temperatures and fewer insects. Winter camping is possible for hardy groups looking for a more challenging wilderness experience in the snow-dusted mountains.
Campsite Inventory
3 sites to choose from
GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC
3
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
ACCESSIBLE PIT TOILETS
Accessible Pit Toilets
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Check-in time
3:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Condition Rating
Good
Driveway Grade
Moderate
Driveway surface
Gravel
FIREWOOD
Firewood
Fire Pit
Yes
Location Rating
Good
Max guests
25
Minimum guests
6
Pets allowed
No
Picnic Table
Yes
Shade
Yes
Site Access
Hike-In,Drive-In
WATER SPIGOT
Water Spigot
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
1 (301) 663-9388
debbie_mills@nps.gov
Getting There
Poplar Grove is located on Manahan Road in the western portion of Catoctin Mountain Park. From Route 15, exit at Catocin Mountain Park/Route 77. Travel approximately six miles west, passing the Visitor Center and Park Central Road. Turn right on Foxville-Deerfield Road and bear to the right onto Manahan Road at the fork. Poplar Grove is located about a mile ahead on the gravel road.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND?
POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND currently lists GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC (3).
Where is POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND located?
POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND is in Maryland near Thurmont. Coordinates: 39.6539, -77.4669.
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