We loved our stay here. The site was quiet, clean, functional, and everyone was super friendly.read more

REVIEW FOR CABINS: Decided to rent out some of the cabins with friends during THE YEAR OF THE…read morePANDEMIC. We were really happy with the cabins - we stayed in the Chestnut cabin. Here are the pluses: Price - under $50 a night. Bargain! Inside cabin: Electricity - bring a long extension cord with multi plugs. Heat - Such a plus since we were in the fall. Fan - Very useful for the summer. Two bunkbeds with bottom bunks that are either a full or queen. Long table with seating Plenty of lighting Cleaning materials - they provide a broom to keep the floor clean. Outside cabin: Outdoor plug for electricity Two picnic tables - one under shelter (so so nice!) / also next to fire ring Overhang is excellent for keeping things dry and sheltered Fire ring Due to COVID, check in is not until 5 PM. Ugh, what a drag. They did let us get in finally at 4:00 PM - after all, it was a Sunday and hardly anyone was around. Check out is 9 AM. Stay for at least 2 nights. Firewood is $7 for a small bundle. Drive around - you might find better deals from locals. Bathrooms were toasty warm and cleaned daily. We didn't use showers, but other people said the hot water was plentiful and it was cleaned well. Utility sinks are behind the bathrooms and extremely useful for dishes and other cleaning.

What a great place. Like a candy store for adults. The owner was very knowledgeable and friendly…read more There are assortments of everything from backyard fun all the way to professional. Very well organized.

Fantastic place with an awesome owner that knows his way around fireworks. Definitely go check them…read moreout! 10 outta 10 and the best deals in PA!

We had a wonderful stay at Gifford Pinchot State Park!…read more The camping area at GP is separated into A loop and B loops with approximately 300 sites. All sites had a paved pad, varying in size depending on the location, with tent site being smaller. Most sites have electric and there are 22 full hookup sites in the camping area. Both loops are peninsulas into the lake, which is convenient to launching boats directly from many sites. Loop A is closer to the designated swimming area with a sandy beach and playground. B loop is closer to many of the hiking trails and also several boat launch areas. It is nice that the camping area and amenities are separated from the public day use area. At the entrance to the camping area there are three dump stations. During our stay we were at a full hookup site which was very spacious and often hard to find in PA State Parks. Our site was #299 and for some reason the entire site was paved/blacktop, which was different than all the other sites where the pad was paved and the picnic table area was gravel/grass. While this site made it easy to level our camper, it became quite hot in the afternoon/evening after the sun had baked it all day. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed GP and couldn't believe we hadn't visited before because it is a great state park. Wood is available for purchase at the campground hosts' sites and ice at the park office. As with most PA state parks, quiet hours are at 9:00PM, which is a bit early, and there is no alcohol allowed in the park. We look forward to returning to GP in the future.

First stay here while traveling and it is a fine spot to stay while passing through. They did have…read morea camp host in our area, A, though we never saw them even when we went looking b/c of a question we had. Never saw them the entire time we were there. The park is fine, needs a little TLC which the volunteers are doing a great job taking care of.

We went as a homeschool group and we were able to have Mr. Scott be our guide and he was so good at…read morehandling a diverse group of preschoolers, lower and upper school students, and grown-ups. He gave us so much insight and informational tidbits that even some lifelong Carroll Countians in the group didn't know about. I highly recommend having a guide to give you a history when you visit the farm museum. Did you know that it wasn't originally used as farmland despite it being a farm museum? We were also able to enter the main house and there was also a guide inside to answer questions and spread some wisdom (Did you know that "trundle" is a verb?) Loved the experience and worth getting a tour guide to make the visit way more meaningful. P.S. We were also there for the Steam Show and it runs till Sunday so you can still catch them there if you make it this weekend!

WOW!! This event has changed since the last time we were there. It's much larger now and not…read morefamily friendly like it used to be. First thing I noticed was they "ran out " of handicap parking spots!! Not off to a good start?! They then send you to the next row which is a good large field away & find a spot. I'm sorry but I can't walk that far and I need to be dropped off. That's fine, and as we pass the designated handicap parking lot I notice that it's not full and there's plenty of parking available for the handicap. My placard displayed in window. They aren't using them now because they are waiting for a group!!?? Ok. 1/5 for NOT being handicap accessible. Train the people to address the situation and offer to let them be dropped off..they didn't. They only said go to the end of the row and park. My husband said my wife is handicapped and she can't walk that far and the guy replied something like well it's full and you have to go, keep traffic moving !?!? Where are they going? Way down yonder in the far pasture and they might be here before dark. Very disappointing for a state run affair on a day dedicated to military and first responders would be so unorganized. From running out of handicap parking spots (lie-from volunteer) and run out of drinks before an hour had passed. Second, found one of my favorite foods! Açaí bowl. Can't drink on an empty stomach, no hangovers here ! Overall I think this event was oversold on tickets and the vendors were not prepared for for the increase in number of people. The lines were very long at lunch time which is when we were there and I noticed right after they were done everyone disappeared. I also noticed for such a large outdoor event they didn't have any water stations. If you were thirsty than you bought water or something else. I wanted water. I did find some cute gifts for my mom & some other ideas for my crafting. Despite the heat, crowds, long lines, miscommunication and everything else I had a decent time. But I can always make something boring into fun:-). Maybe next year will be better?!

Great place to take kids, they have 2 giant slides, tug of war, some farm animals to pet, corn…read moremaze, corn pit, tire swings, jumping pillow, tricycles to race, water duck races, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a zip line swing (which was closed when we went), and other things. They have a snack shack where you can buy apple cider donuts, slushies, kettle corn popcorn, etc. and they do take credit cards. Be sure to confirm the hours of the Snack shack. Parking is across the street. Cute place, will return!

We went on a particularly wet weekend, after a week full of rain. Still had a total blast! The corn…read moremaze was challenging but not too hard to do and took about 30 minutes for us to go through. Had fun going through the petting zoo, playing with bubbles, and competing with each other in the duck races. We spent a little over 2 hours here and had a relaxing fall day.

I've been here twice and have hiked the same loop, but both times it has been enjoyable!…read more On this occasion I brought a friend. We parked at the visitors center and went inside to use the facilities prior to our hike. It's a cute visitors center with historical information about the area, the wildlife, and trees. They also sell trinkets, magnets, bug spray, etc. The rangers are always cordial and will answer any questions you may have. They have a charging station!!!! This was clutch as I drove my EV this time. It's free and had me charged and ready to go by the end of my hike. We hiked up to Wolf Rock, Chimney Rock, and back. The trails are rated (if you have the All Trails app and/or based on the map). I'd say this hike was moderate. It's mostly shaded which is nice. There weren't too many insects, but you should apply insect repellent nontheless. They have several other trails. This one was a bit over 3 miles, but the full loop connects all the trails. I would like to make it to Cunningham Falls. This is a great option for me as I live in Maryland. The trails are clean, litter free so take your trash with you. Come check it out!

Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center -- A Quiet Gateway to the Mountains…read more Tucked into the scenic hills of Frederick County near Thurmont, the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is a great starting point for exploring one of Maryland's more serene outdoor escapes. It's part of Catoctin Mountain Park, a federally managed park offering about 25 miles of hiking trails, plus camping and trout fishing. Worth noting: it's separate from nearby Cunningham Falls State Park, so plan accordingly if you're trying to hit both. We stopped by on a brisk, sunny weekday and were rewarded with light crowds and a peaceful atmosphere. There was some noticeable truck traffic passing through the area--turns out much needed road improvements are underway--but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The visitor center itself is on the smaller side but well maintained and thoughtfully curated. Informational displays, posters, and plaques highlight the region's history--from its Native inhabitants to the communities that later shaped life in these mountains. It's a nice touch that adds depth before you hit the trails. Inside, you can find maps, books, and a modest gift shop selection. The park rangers were approachable and knowledgeable, offering helpful updates on trail conditions and access points. Bonus points for clean restrooms and a convenient place to refill your water bottle before heading out. For the youngsters in your group. Don't forget to join the Junior Ranger program and get your booklet stamped! Fun way to get kids excited to visit and appreciate the many beautiful National Parks in our country throughout their lifetime! Whether you're gearing up for a hike or just passing through, this is a solid place to get oriented, learn a bit of history, and soak in the surrounding natural beauty.