Camp Round Meadow
We don’t think it should be. Every campground should hold some sites for whoever drives up.Tell your representative →
- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 28 of the next 30 nights read 16:45 UTC
- Sites
- 1All of them booked ahead
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 12 notices
In the agency’s own words
Camp Round Meadow, a four-season camp, includes four dormitories, dining hall, commercial kitchen, gymnasium and conference room. The facility accommodates a maximum of 120 people. Originally used from 1939 to 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the camp also operated from 1965 to 1969 as the first Job Corps Center in the United States. Keep reading
Recreation
A variety of hiking trails and picnic facilities are within walking distance of Camp Round Meadow. Fishing is available by permit within Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park, just 3 miles (5 km) from the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center. Cunningham Falls also offers swimming and boating. In the event of snow, areas throughout the park may be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Contact the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center at (301) 663-9388 for additional information, recreation and program opportunities.
Facilities
Camp Round Meadow will accommodate up to 120 guests. INDOORS: Guests have access to four dormitories, a dining hall, a commercial kitchen, a gymnasium, and conference room. The dining hall, kitchen, gymnasium and conference room have heat and air conditioning. The dormitory buildings are universally accessible and offer electricity and heat. Each dormitory includes 30 twin beds with vinyl covered mattresses, 2 bathrooms and 2 bottle filling/water fountain stations. Each of the four dormitories has (2) two bathrooms with (2) flush toilets, (1) accessible hot shower, and (2) sinks. A cleaning room in each dormitory has brooms, mops, buckets, and toilet brush/plunger. No internet access or Wi-Fi available. Cellular service reception coverage is best on the AT & T or Verizon systems. The 1,746 square foot (162 sq. m) dining hall space includes more than a dozen tables and roughly 100 chairs. The adjacent kitchen is 384 square feet (35.5 sq. m). The commercial kitchen offers various appliances, including a freezer, refrigerator, three ranges, a convection oven, ice machine, microwave, toaster, steam table, garbage disposal and dishwasher. The kitchen contains multiple storage spaces and a small bathroom. Trash service includes a waste and recycling receptacle. Cleaning equipment and trash cans are provided. The gymnasium has an indoor basketball court, Men's and Women's restrooms that include flush toilets, hot showers, and sinks. The conference room is 765 square feet (71 sq. m) with a maximum occupancy of 51. The facility has approximately 20 tables, and roughly 75 chairs, and projector screen are available for use in the conference room. Guests are responsible for cleaning and sanitation of the entire facility. Reservation-holders must provide all paper products and cleaning supplies. The park provides items to assist with cleaning such as mops, buckets, brooms, dust mops, whisk brooms, vacuum cleaners, and dust pans, and a small selection of cleaning chemicals. Groups may choose to contract with a professional for cleaning services. The cleaning of all facilities must be completed by check-out time and the group leader must remain for a walk-through of the entire camp with the Park Ranger. Catoctin Mountain Park is committed to sustainable park operations and strongly encourages park visitors to reduce their consumption of energy and generation of waste. There is single-stream recycling available in Camp Round Meadow. OUTDOORS: Outside, guests may enjoy a campfire ring with wooden bench seating, grass athletic field, small lighted gazebo and outdoor picnic area. Firewood is provided by the park. The lighted gravel parking area will accommodate 135 vehicles. Groups reserving Camp Round Meadow do not have exclusive use of the parking area.
Natural Features
Catoctin Mountain Park, established in 1936, is located along the eastern portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 5,890.36 acre (2384 ha) mixed hardwood forest includes abundant wildlife, freshwater streams and interesting geologic formations. Camp Round Meadow, shaded by large trees, includes a grass field and outdoor fire circle. A variety of interpretive and accessible trails, exhibits and picnic areas are within walking distance of Camp Round Meadow.
Nearby Attractions
Catoctin Mountain Park is located near many historical and cultural sites. Visitors will enjoy nearby: Appalachian National Scenic Trail (8 miles/13 km) Monocacy National Battlefield (18 miles/29 km) Antietam National Battlefield (26 miles/45 km) Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (26 miles) Eisenhower National Historic Site and Gettysburg National Military Park (20 miles/32 km) Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (28 miles/45 km) Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (37 miles/60 km) Other attractions include Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo and Cunningham Falls State Park. For more information visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County.
What the agency tells you
Reservations Required. A reservation is required for the use of Camp Round Meadow. Walk-ins are not available.
Check-in & Check-out. All group leaders must complete a check-in upon arrival and a check-out prior to departure with Park Ranger. Check-in between the hours of 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Please call staff at 301-663-9388 to arrange for check-in. Early check-in or late check-out must be arranged in advance and may not be available. It is critical that your group leader and kitchen supervisor arrive prior to 4:30 PM. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 4:30 pm ACCESS TO CAMP FACILITIES WILL BE FORFEITED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MORNING. All facilities must be vacated and cleaned prior to the camp check-out inspection no later than 12:00 PM.
Permits. Special Use Permits may be required for special events or activities. Contact the Catoctin Mountain Park Permit Coordinator at cato_permits@nps.gov for additional information.
Everything else this campground posts · 9
Keys. No keys for securing the buildings will be provided to the permittee.
Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from all park areas administered by Catoctin Mountain Park, unless authorized by a permit issued by the Superintendent.
Smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all park buildings.
Pets. Pets are not permitted in Camp Round Meadow, however, they are allowed on trails throughout the park and must remain on a leash at all times. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted in Camp Round Meadow.
Cleaning/Custodial. Cleaning chemicals and equipment (mops, brooms, etc) are provided. Kitchen tools, cooking utensils, pans, eating utensils and other equipment are NOT provided. Groups are responsible for bringing all paper products (TP, paper towels), cleaning rags, sponges, and other cleaning supplies. Groups must ensure all facilities are cleaned prior to departure. An inspection with a park staff member is required prior to check out.
Paper Products. Groups are responsible for providing all paper products. Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, cleaning rags/towels, etc are NOT provided for any of the facilities.
Safety. All emergencies, accidents, incidents etc., shall be reported to the National Capital Area Communications Center at 1-301-714-2235.
Firewood. The transportation of firewood into the park is not permitted. Dead/downed wood may be collected. Split firewood is available for reservation holders in Camp Round Meadow.
Cellular service. Cellular service is limited depending on provider. Cellular towers in the park are serviced by AT& T and Verizon.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 1 · 1 group
- Hookups
- 1 electric
- Accessible sites
- None listed
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - year round
- Showers
- Yes, the record doesn’t say what kind
- “Each of the four dormitories has (2) two bathrooms with (2) flush toilets, (1) accessible hot shower, and (2) sinks.”
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Firewood
- Mentioned
Around the campground
- On the water
- Creek, Meadow
- Fall color · reported 4 days ago, 24 km away
- Minimal color
Full this Saturdayread 16:45 UTC
How full the weekend is nationally.
4 campgrounds have sites open within 30 miles, read 16:48 UTC. See them
OpenBookedClosed
The one site on offer is taken this Saturday. 1 is free on Tue, Oct 20. read 16:45 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t
Watch for a cancellation
Watch this campground
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 11
What you actually pay
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 4
Open within 30 miles this weekend · 4
Sites the agency is offering this Friday and Saturday that nobody has taken, nearest first. read 16:48 UTC
- Camp Misty MountCatoctin Mountain Park · 0.0 mi · 1 of 57 site-nights open
- Owens Creek CampgroundCatoctin Mountain Park · 2.4 mi · 5 of 95 site-nights open
- Antietam Creek CampsiteChesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park · 22 mi · 3 of 40 site-nights open
- McCoy's Ferry CampgroundChesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park · 28 mi · 3 of 26 site-nights open
recreation.gov availability, read 16:45 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Oct 1, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
1 sites · the site map
All 1 sites
| CAMP ROUND MEADOW | Dorms, Gym, Dining Hall | group standard electric | 1,213 ft |
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Camp Misty MountCatoctin Mountain Park · 0.0 mi
Camp GreentopCatoctin Mountain Park · 1.2 mi
Camp Greentop Dining Hall and Rec HallCatoctin Mountain Park · 1.2 mi
Poplar Grove Youth Group CampgroundCatoctin Mountain Park · 1.5 mi
Adirondack SheltersCatoctin Mountain Park · 2.1 mi
Owens Creek CampgroundCatoctin Mountain Park · 2.4 miFor GPS Use Only: The street address is 14840 Manahan Road, Sabillasville, MD, 21780. This is NOT a mailing address. The mailing address for Camp Round Meadow is: Catoctin Mountain Park, Camp Round Meadow, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 (coordinates: 39° 38' 22.7198" N 77° 26' 46.6699" W)
- From Washington, DC: Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north to I-495 to I-270 north 27 miles (43.5 km) to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 for 17 miles (27 km) north to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign is marked Catoctin Mountain Park). Travel approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) west on 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park visitor center). Turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, turn right onto Manahan Road. Continue approximately 3/4 mile (1.2 km) and turn left into Camp Round Meadow. Park in the large gravel parking lot.
- From Baltimore, MD: Take I-695 beltway to I-70 West to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 North to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park.) Travel approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) west on Route 77 (you will pass Park Central Road and the park visitor center). Turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, turn right onto Manahan Road. Continue approximately 3/4 mile (1.2 km) and turn left into Camp Round Meadow. Park in the large gravel parking lot.
- From Hagerstown, MD: take I-70 East to Route 66 North for 7 miles (11.2 km). Turn right onto Route 64 (East) for 1 mile (1.6 km) then turn right at a traffic light onto Route 77 East for approximately 4 miles (6.4 km). Turn left onto Foxville-Deerfield Road. As the road forks, turn right onto Manahan Road. Continue approximately 3/4 mile (1.2 km) and turn left into Camp Round Meadow. Park in the large gravel parking lot.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Thurmont, MD
Typical weather
Typical October night 46°F, day 65°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 23°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it · a letter you can send
Who answers for this land
Camp Round Meadow is in Maryland’s 6th congressional district. Its representative, April McClain Delaney (D), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: A+. See every public-lands vote →
Who can change it · 4
Two offices, two different asks. The draft to the agency asks it to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up. The draft to Congress asks why that share is zero and presses for a published minimum at the campgrounds it funds.
- The office that runs itCatoctin Mountain ParkNational Park Service unit
- The member who votes the moneyApril McClain DelaneyU.S. Representative · Maryland’s 6th district
- Your senator, on the same appropriationAngela D. AlsobrooksU.S. Senator · Maryland
- Your senator, on the same appropriationChris Van HollenU.S. Senator · Maryland
Read the draft, or change the wording
For the camper who turned up, or tried to book, and couldn’t get in. Every draft is written from this campground’s own record (its agency, its unit, its site count and its own weekend) and the buttons above copy whichever wording is selected here.
Asks the National Park Service to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up, and to post what that share is.
Subject Hold back a share of sites at Camp Round Meadow for campers who drive up
To the National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park: I tried to camp at Camp Round Meadow in Maryland and couldn’t. All 1 sites at Camp Round Meadow are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, the one site recreation.gov was offering there was already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Camp Round Meadow keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m asking for one specific thing: set aside a published share of the sites at Camp Round Meadow as first-come, first-served, and post what that share is so it can be checked. Somebody who drives up has no way in, and no way to find out whether they might have had one. Sent about Camp Round Meadow (Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland
Dear April McClain Delaney, I’m a constituent in Maryland’s 6th district. I tried to camp at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, and couldn’t. All 1 sites at Camp Round Meadow are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, the one site recreation.gov was offering there was already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Camp Round Meadow keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Camp Round Meadow. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Camp Round Meadow (Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland
Dear Angela D. Alsobrooks, I’m a constituent in Maryland. I tried to camp at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, and couldn’t. All 1 sites at Camp Round Meadow are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, the one site recreation.gov was offering there was already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Camp Round Meadow keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Camp Round Meadow. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Camp Round Meadow (Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland
Dear Chris Van Hollen, I’m a constituent in Maryland. I tried to camp at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, and couldn’t. All 1 sites at Camp Round Meadow are reservable, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, the one site recreation.gov was offering there was already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Camp Round Meadow keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Camp Round Meadow. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Camp Round Meadow (Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland) via campanac.com