Maryland · Rock climbing · Thurmont · Near Ballenger Creek

Cunningham Falls State Park

4 routes
5.5 – 5.10c
Top Rope
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Cunningham Falls State Park is a Maryland state park in the state's western corner, about a mile from the community of Hunting Creek Acres. It is a climbing area with four top-rope routes, and the park also offers hiking and camping within a short drive. The climbing here is all top rope, and the routes range from 5.5 to 5.10c. Among them are Amidst the Ivy at 5.5, On the Edge at 5.6, and Big Bad Wolf at 5.10c. The park's own campground sits less than a mile away, and the Cat Rock Trail is also about 0.3 miles off. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 73°F in May and 75°F in September, with July peaking near 84°F. Other climbing is close by at Bear Rocks, about 0.3 miles away, and Down Range Rocks, about 1.1 miles away. Hikers can also reach Bob's Hill Trail and the Old Misery Trail within about a mile.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Cunningham Falls State Park Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Los Amigos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rainsAcroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Schifferstadt Architectural Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Ballenger Creek
  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Cunningham Falls State Park

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 23°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 42°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 52°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 63°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 58°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 46°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 36°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 28°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Catoctin Mtn Park, MD, 2.9 mi away at 1,610 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (4)

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Cliff Trail BouldersPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Cunningham FallsPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Wolf RockPhoto: TrailVoice, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Wolf's Head PillarPhoto: TrailVoice, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Bear Rocks

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Down Range Rocks

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The Pinnacle

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TWS Rocks -

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