Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park

and Gambrill State Park

50th Annual Maple Syrup Festival

March 14, 15, 21 and 22
The festival takes place from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Houck Lake Area of Cunningham Falls State Park. Delicious food will be served including pancakes, sausage, sausage sandwiches and other items for an additional fee. Maple syrup products will be sold including maple syrup, maple cream and maple candy. A maple syrup making demonstration will start every hour. Children can enjoy free games, stories and crafts in a large, heated tent. Live music will be provided by local bands. A sign language interpreter is scheduled for both Sundays. Maple Syrup Festival merchandise, hoodies, t-shirts, hats, travel mugs and stickers, will be available to purchase.
Pets are welcome in the William Houck area except in the dining/food service areas and on beaches. Pets must be leashed at all times.

March 14: Flower Hill String Band, Traditional Bluegrass and Contemporary Acoustic Music
Flower Hill String Band Facebook page
March 15 and 22: Slim Harrison, Traditional folk music with children encouraged to join in the fun and play percussion instruments

March 21: Josh Crews and Friends
Josh Crews and Friends Facebook page

A donation of $3 per person is requested in lieu of the park entry fee. Youth group members are $2 per person. Children in safety seats are free. All money collected goes to the Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park and Gambrill State Park. The "Friends" is a non-profit organization which has supported Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks since 1996. Previous "Friends" donations to the parks include Polaris vehicles, skid loader, rescue boat and motor, handicapped beach wheelchair, AEDs, power tools and other items.

This is a cash only event.

Directions: US Route 15 North from Frederick Maryland. Exit at Maryland Route 77 and continue west on 77. Turn left on Catoctin Hollow Road (just past the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center). Follow the signs for the Falls parking and turn right into the Houck Lake Area. Click on the map picture for directions.

Fishing Rodeo

April 18, 9 AM to Noon
Free, registration is required
Rock Run Area, Gambrill State Park

Anglers 15 and under are invited to fish at Gambrill State Park’s fishing pond. All participants must be accompanied by an adult and bring their own fishing tackle and bait. Limited to the first 35 registered participants. Call the park office at 301-293-4170 to reserve your space. After fishing, drive up Gambrill Park Road and visit the High Knob Area. Three CCC overlooks provide beautiful views.

The Maryland Iron Festival

Saturday May 16 & 17, 10 to 5
The Maryland Iron Festival is a celebration of the Old Line State's unique history as a center for the craft of iron making. The festival will feature blacksmithing and casting demonstrations; delicious historic foods; a wine and beer garden; traditional music; a wide variety of iron and metalwork arts, crafts, and jewelry; whimsical cannonball tosses and anvil-lifting contests; and lots of children's activities! The event takes place in the picturesque village of Catoctin Furnace, a stone's throw from the historic city of Frederick, Maryland. Partner events in surrounding parks and towns will create an area wide family-oriented celebration of industrial heritage in Western Maryland. Admission is free.

Catoctin Furnace, Maryland is a Frederick County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All proceeds from this event will benefit the restoration and maintenance of the historic furnace, casting shed, retaining wall and Ironmaster’s Manor House.
Click on the links below for more information.

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society
12525 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788
443-463-6437

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc.


Catoctin Forest Alliance


Harriet Chapel

Tea at Gambrill State Park, Frederick, Maryland

September 13 from 3 to 5 PM
It's tea time at Gambrill State Park. The Park staff invites guests of all ages to join them for a tea service complete with scrumptious goodies and a presentation from a guest speaker. The tea will include an assortment of teas, gourmet tea sandwiches, scones and sweets. The event will take place in the Tea Room, a native stone building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s. The Tea Room is located in the park's High Knob Area, featuring beautiful views of the Frederick and Middletown valleys. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park and Gambrill State Park in partnership with the Maryland Park Service.

The cost is $25 per person. Seating is limited to 30. Advanced registation is required.

Please use the Paypal button below to make your reservation. For more information, contact the Park at 301-271-7574.

If the the Tea is sold out, the "Continue Shopping Paypal" button redirects you to the Friends home page. Please email info@cunninghamgambrill.org and request to be added to the waiting list.

Sixth Annual Friends 10K, 5K and Fun Run/Walk

October 25, 9 AM Please join us for the sixth Annual Friends 10K, 5K and Fun Run/Walk in beautiful Cunningham Falls State Park. This is a family friendly event with food and prizes. The race course is in the William Houch Area of the park, with views of Hunting Creek Lake and the Catoctin Mountains. Much of the course is shaded by a mixed hardwood forest. Discount for early registration. Walk up registration is available at the event for $40 per person for the 10K and 5K race and $10 per person for the fun run/walk.

9:00 AM: 10K and 5K – Challenging, paved course near Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls Park’s Houck Area.
9:02 AM Fun Run / Walk – A paved 1.4-mile stroller-friendly event near Hunting Creek Lake and Cunningham Falls.


For information and online registration use the link or QR code below.

2020 Friends 10K 5K and Fun Run/Walk registration

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To sponsor the race, please use the donate button below.
Note: This is not the race registration link.