Join us for the sweetest event of the year! Relax, catch a hayride, and watch as sap is collected and turned into maple syrup! Now in its 48th year, park rangers and volunteers at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County will demonstrate the traditional way to craft this sweet concoction, as it has been done in North America for centuries. This two-weekend event is packed with fun family activities for all to enjoy!
March 10-11, 17-18: Maple Syrup Festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Houck Area In addition to the syrup demonstrations, festivities include arts and crafts, face painting, and live bluegrass and folk music in a heated tent. A $3/person donation is requested. A hot pancake breakfast will be served for an additional cost (cash only).
March 17: Maple Sap Run 9:30 a.m. at the South Beach Lot (Shine only)
New this year, the festival will feature a Maple Sap Fun Run as part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative. Participants of all ages can take part in this noncompetitive, 1.5-mile fun run/walk along a scenic roadway that showcases the park's sap-producing maple trees.
“This Catoctin Mountain tradition is a fun and delicious event that the whole family can enjoy. It may sound sappy, but we love showcasing our beautiful property and bountiful trees with the thousands of visitors that come out to our Maple Syrup Festival each and every year.”
--Mark Spurrier, Park Manager
Share the experience! If you take photos that you'd like to share with us, please send them in. You may just see them on social media or our website!
We will randomly select one lucky entrant to win a 1-year subscription to our seasonal magazine.
Continue the adventure! The 2018 Maryland State Parks and Trail Passport grants you unlimited day-use admission and boat launching, as well as a 10 percent discount on boat rentals and state-operated concessions.
Golden Age Passes are also available, granting seniors 62 and older free entry to parks, half-price weekday camping and unlimited boat launch access.
