Cunningham Falls State Park · Frederick County, MD

Cunningham Falls

Maryland's tallest cascading waterfall (78 ft). Short, family-friendly Lower Trail from the William Houck (lake) area, with a boardwalk near the falls. The Cliff Trail from the lake (~1.6 mi RT) and the Falls Trail from the NPS Catoctin side (~2.8 mi RT, ~500 ft gain) are steeper alternatives.

Live · updated Apr 27, 1:32 AM ET

Today

Workable day for hiking.

Primary activity: hiking

64 /100

Good

Trail: prime AQI 30

Conditions

Air temp

44°F

Clear

Wind

1 to 6 mph

Rain

Last 48h: 0.00″

Trail

prime

mixed surface

Sunset

7:58 PM

1107 min daylight left

Moon

Waxing Gibbous

77% illuminated

Air quality

AQI 30

O3 · Good

Score by activity

Hiking

Ideal 48–75°F

64/100

Workable day for hiking.

Dog walking

Ideal 40–72°F

77/100

Great day for dog walking.

Score breakdown

· 44°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
✓ AQI 30 — Clean air
✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.

Trail facts

Distance: 1 mi round-trip
Elevation gain: 100 ft
Surface: mixed
Difficulty: easy
Typical crowds: very heavy
Dogs: Leash required

Trailhead

Parking

Trailhead lot · day-use fee.

Facilities

Bathrooms , drinking water. Service fee Memorial Day–Labor Day at Cunningham Falls SP.

Coordinates

39.6300, -77.4450 — Frederick County, MD.

Park

Part of Cunningham Falls State Park (official site →).