Cunningham Falls is a 70-foot tiered cascade on Big Hunting Creek in Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick County, Maryland, about 3.3 miles west of Thurmont. It can be reached by a short trail from the park's William Houck Area or by an accessible boardwalk from Route 77.
The falls
Big Hunting Creek slides down a steep, tiered run of cascades over resistant greenstone, a metamorphosed basalt, breaking into riffles, pools and short drops. The total height is 70 feet; earlier surveys listed 78 feet.
Getting there
The falls are managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and reached from the William Houck Area at 14274 William Houck Drive, Thurmont. From the day-use parking, the Lower Trail runs 0.5 mile one way and is rated easy to moderate; the Cliff Trail covers 0.75 mile over strenuous, rocky ground.
A second approach avoids the trails: a small accessible pull-off sits beside Route 77 with a short boardwalk to the base of the falls. From the Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center, the yellow trail reaches the same boardwalk after 1 mile, crossing Route 77.
The Houck Area charges a day-use fee. From Memorial Day to Labor Day it is $3 per person for Maryland residents and $5 for nonresidents on weekdays, $5 and $7 on weekends and holidays; off-season it is $3 or $5 per vehicle. Payment is taken at the gate, with no advance reservations in 2026. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset from April to October and 10 a.m. to sunset from November to March.
When to go
On warm-season weekends the Houck Area can fill and close to new arrivals, so arriving early is recommended. March to May is the recommended season, when rain and snowmelt raise the flow; winter visits are quieter, with ice possible on the falls.
On site
Swimming at the falls is prohibited. Hundreds of accidents have occurred from visitors slipping and falling on the rocks, so visitors must stay on the trails and boardwalk. Pets are allowed on the Houck Area trails. The boardwalk approach is wheelchair accessible.
History and name
The falls were once known as McAfee Falls, after their original owners. The present name comes from a photographer named Cunningham who promoted the falls in the late 1940s.
Nearby
Falls Creek Falls is about 5.9 miles away, and The Cascade about 8.4 miles. Catoctin Mountain Park lies across Route 77, and its yellow trail links the visitor center with the falls.
Distances are straight-line.