Gambrill State Park: High Knob Vista! A Moderate 8-Mile Hike

Gambrill State Park: High Knob Vista! A Moderate 7.4-Mile Hike

This hike is at Gambrill State Park, located 45 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.

"Gambrill State Park is a beautiful mountain park on the ridge of the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick County. Its most attractive feature is the 16 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park is separated into two areas, the Rock Run area and the High Knob area. From the 1600-foot High Knob, three stone overlooks offer breathtaking views of the Frederick and Middletown Valleys, then continue to the northern reaches of the Shenandoah Mountains.”

This particular hike takes us along and beside the ridge of Catoctin Mountain through mature hardwood forest, offering east and west views. Additionally, it provides plentiful, sweeping views north and west of South Mountain, home of the Appalachian Trail. On the circuit hike's return route on the east side of the ridge are beautiful scenes of the Monocacy River watershed." Portions of the above description are credited to Copyright David Edwin Lillard Published by Falcon Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

On a clear day, looking north, visitors can see the rugged tree-covered mountains of the Frederick City Municipal Forest, one of the State's best-managed watersheds. Looking south, one can see Crampton's Gap, a Civil War Landmark and the site of Gathland State Park, and the Middletown and Monocacy Valleys. South Mountain, where many engagements between Confederate and Union troops took place during the Civil War, can be seen to the West.

Trail Information
Nearby City: Frederick, MD
Length: 8 Miles
Elev. Gain: 1200 ft
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate
Season: Year-round
Local Contacts: Gambrill State Park
Facilities: Portable Bathroom at trailhead

Park Entry Fee
$3 for Maryland registered vehicles, $5 for out of state. The Maryland State Park Pass is accepted.

Gear Suggestions
Click Here for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click Here to view the forecast for the area we will be hiking in.

Directions to the Trailhead
Parking at High Knob Nature Center
8346 High Knob Rd
Frederick, MD 21702
just inside the gate
39.461927, -77.495353

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:45-9:55 a.m.
The Hike is at 10:00 a.m.

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette and Leave No Trace principles.

Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified people who volunteer as leaders for the Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group volunteer leadership team. MAHG volunteers are very supportive and encouraging, focusing on safety while enjoying excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of daily life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an integral part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to conserving our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer-supported, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and donations ARE tax deductible.

A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!

Let’s have fun out on the trails, and see you there.

Christa: 410.610.6254

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