A wooden boardwalk angles through the woods along the Browns Farm Nature Trail
Side view of 3-sided wooden Adirondack shelter surrounded by trees in early spring.
Three-sided wooden Adirondack shelter, 2 wooden benches and fire circle.  Surrounded by trees with no leaves.
A tree branch with orange and yellow leaves crosses in front of trunks and green leaves in the background.
Small enclosed wooden pit toilet building. Surrounded by trees in late fall.

Featured amenities

Parking Parking

About Adirondack Shelters

The Adirondack Shelters, located near the northern most point of Catoctin Mountain Park, provide a destination for true nature immersion and an alternative to drive-up camping. A moderate three-mile uphill hike over rocky but generally gently rolling terrain leads to the three-sided shelters similar to those found on the Appalachian Trail. Please plan to pack out everything you bring to the site. At Catoctin Mountain Park, the beauty and solitude of nearly 6,000 acres (2428 ha) of mature Eastern Hardwood Forest beckon visitors in need of an escape. 

Available sites

2 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking

Cabin Interior

  • Toilet Type
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

2 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: Adirondack Shelters Tent
Campfire · Full shade
⛺ 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters Tent
Campfire · Full shade

Reviews

80 reviews

Summary

AI generated

The Adirondack Shelters are exactly as advertised, offering a peaceful experience with clean facilities and plenty of parking. The site features a nearby creek for water access and well-marked trails for exploration, though some uphill hiking sections may be challenging. Visitors appreciate the privacy and the serene ambiance, highlighted by a delightful morning chorus of birds.

Based on guest feedback

4.6

Overall rating

Based on 80 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 76.3% (61)
4 stars 13.8% (11)
3 stars 7.5% (6)
2 stars 2.5% (2)
1 star 0.0% (0)

Showing 80 reviews

Joshua M

Verified

July 26, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

The site is excellent. There’s a small creek a few hundred feet away from the shelter for access to water if you have a filter and purification tablets or plan to boil the water. The hike isn’t too bad, there’s a few uphill sections that are tough but the uphill sections are relatively short. There is plenty of parking. The outhouse is nice but best used with the door open. A lot of privacy and tons of trails around to explore.

Helpful

Joseph R

Verified

May 11, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

Great times using a fantastic resource. Thank you for maintaining these shelters and sites for us all to use.

Helpful

Adrian O

Verified

April 7, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

The shelter and area was clean. Remember to bring your own toilet paper for the outhouse. Great morning chorus of bird songs.

Helpful

Adrian O

Verified

April 7, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

The shelter and area was clean. Remember to bring your own toilet paper for the outhouse. Great morning chorus of bird songs.

Helpful

MICHAEL O

Verified

April 8, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

Hiked with my wife and 2 kids (ages 8 and 11). The trip was perfect. Just challenging enough for them and with easy road access in case it was needed. We brought a tent but were grateful for the shelter and the hikers before us who had stashed wood to dry as it began to rain during the last 30 minutes. This turned into a spectacular lightning storm at night that we piled into the tent door to watch. What a magical place,

Helpful

MICHAEL O

Verified

April 8, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

Hiked with my wife and 2 kids (ages 8 and 11). The trip was perfect. Just challenging enough for them and with easy road access in case it was needed. We brought a tent but were grateful for the shelter and the hikers before us who had stashed wood to dry as it began to rain during the last 30 minutes. This turned into a spectacular lightning storm at night that we piled into the tent door to watch. What a magical place,

Helpful

Andrew V

Verified

January 6, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: Adirondack Shelters

Despite it being very rainy earlier in the week, there was dry firewood waiting for us in the shelter. It was such a nice touch when we arrived with the temperature dropping.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Adirondack Shelters

Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 United States

Elevation: 468 ft

Getting There

Directions to the trailhead parking at Camp Round Meadow: From Thurmont MD, take Route 77 west 5 mi (5 mi) to Foxville Road. Turn right and follow signs to Camp Round Meadow parking area.

You cannot drive to the shelters. The hike is a minimum of...

Nearest town

Thurmont, MD - 6.8 mi

About 13 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Route 77, which connects to Thurmont, MD. No other major roads are mentioned within a meaningful distance.

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Thurmont, MD

Population: 6,254

Nearby city: Frederick, MD

Approx. 16 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 522 ft

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