National Park Service · Maryland
Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground
National Park Service · Maryland, United States · in Catoctin Mountain Park
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to November 30
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Pets
- No
- Elevation
- 1,811 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 4
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Catoctin Mountain Park
- Nearest town
- Thurmont
- Address
- 6602 Foxville Rd, Thurmont, MD, 21788
- Phone
- 1 (301) 663-9388
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Picnic Tables
3 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
3 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Poplar Grove offers youth groups and organizations enjoyable year-round primitive tent camping. Located just steps away from the Catoctin Mountain Park portion of the Catoctin National Recreation Trail in the rolling hills of Thurmont, Maryland. Poplar Grove allows youth groups to experience traditional wilderness camping in a beautiful, natural setting.
Recreation
As a primitive camping area, Poplar Grove encourages youth to use healthy doses of imagination while surrounded by the natural landscape. Nature hikes and campfire circles are popular activities. Catoctin Mountain Park offers 25 miles (40 km) of trails for additional hiking opportunities.
Facilities
Poplar Grove allows youth to connect with nature in a rustic campground setting. Three (3) group sites can accommodate up to 25 visitors. There are (2) two vault toilets and pavilion are centrally located. Water is not available. Site campfire circles and grills exist at each of the three camp sites. Firewood is provided onsite, dead wood may be collected for fires. Each group site is limited to (2) two vehicles or (1) vehicle and (1) utility trailer (unhooked) parked in designated spaces. Additional vehicles need to be parked at Camp Round Meadow. Overnight parking is not permitted on Manahan Road. Due to seasonal road closures, the campground is closed in the Winter.
For further information please call the Visitors Center between 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (301) 663- 9388. During your stay (after hours) contact 24 hour dispatch at 1-866-677-6677 or 301-714-2235.
Natural Features
Poplar Grove offers tree sheltered, flat tent sites. The campground is surrounded by a hardwood decidious forest. Whether blanketed in snow in winter months or blooming with wildflowers in the spring, Poplar Grove offers beautiful scenery all year.
Nearby Attractions
The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is located four miles (1.2 km) away and offers interpretive programs. Just three miles (4.8 km) away, visitors can enjoy fishing and canoeing at Cunningham Falls State Park (entrance fee applies).
Contact Info
Fees
Camping Fee: $35. The fee is for $35 per night. Each site accommodates up to 25 people per site. Groups share pit toilets, water and a pavilion.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34° | 21° | -2° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 39° | 25° | 2° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 49° | 30° | 4° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 62° | 40° | 23° | 83° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 68° | 51° | 34° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 57° | 49° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 65° | 56° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 65° | 54° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 59° | 45° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 60° | 43° | 32° | 77° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 32° | 20° | 64° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 38° | 27° | 11° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Spicebush Nature Trailhead · 0.7 mi as the crow flies
TR-13 Spicebush Trail 0.4 mi Hike · Drive there - Catoction NRT Trailhead at Chestnut Picnic Area · 0.7 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Blue Ridge Summit Trailhead · 0.9 mi as the crow flies
TR-5 Blue Ridge Summit Trail 2.1 mi Hike, TR-9 Hog Rock Trail 1.4 mi Hike · Drive there - Hog Rock Trailhead · 0.9 mi as the crow flies
TR-5 Blue Ridge Summit Trail 2.1 mi Hike, TR-9 Hog Rock Trail 1.4 mi Hike · Drive there - Saw Mill Trailhead · 0.9 mi as the crow flies
TR-16 Sawmill Trail 0.5 mi Hike · Drive there
All 18 trails in Catoctin Mountain Park
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Owens Creek Campground · National Park Service · 1 mi · 51 sites
- Camp Misty Mount · National Park Service · 1 mi · 29 sites
- Camp Round Meadow · National Park Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- William Houck Campground (Cunningham Falls State Park) · Maryland State Parks · 2 mi · 142 sites
- Manor Area Campground (Cunningham Falls State Park) · Maryland State Parks · 5 mi · 27 sites
All public campgrounds in Maryland · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-23. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.