Catoctin National Recreation Trail
2.4 mi · ▲ 439 ft · 1 hr 1 min
Catoctin National Recreation Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in Frederick City Watershed near White Rocks, MD. It climbs 439 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi1,286 – 1,539 ft · steepest grade: 21%2.8 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Little Canaan 39.53508, -77.48072
Nearest town White Rocks, MD
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Catoctin National Recreation Trail
2.4 mi · ▲ 439 ft · 1 hr 1 min
Elevation 1,285–1,540 ft
Out & Back · Frederick City Watershed
Trailhead: Little Canaan · 39.53508, -77.48072
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Little Canaan, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Upper Canaan, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Pond Access Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading N.
- 350 ftSharp left onto Trail 4, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Trail 4, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Pond Access Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Upper Canaan, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Little Canaan, heading S.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
91% dirt9% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:56 AMSunset 7:12 PM
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Little Canaan Trailhead
- Catoctin National Recreation Trail & Old Blue Trail 4.9 mi · ▲ 676 ft
- Fishing Creek Reservoir–Albatross, 7 sights 10.9 mi · ▲ 2,462 ft
- North Frederick Viewpoint–Blue Balls, 4 sights 13.5 mi · ▲ 2,012 ft
- 3 Saws–Blue Balls, 4 sights 7.4 mi · ▲ 749 ft
- Salamander Rock–Sand Flat, 5 sights 8.1 mi · ▲ 972 ft
- Closed Trail & Old Blue Trail via Catoctin National Recreation Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 806 ft
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