Cunningham Falls
Frederick County, Maryland
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 78 ft (23.8 m)
- Location
- Frederick County, Maryland
- Access status
- Official state park trail to the falls
- The walk
- About 0.5 mile each way
- Ground & access
- Easy to moderate trail. Swimming is prohibited and climbing is not advised at the falls. Stay on trails and boardwalks.
Park in the William Houck Area day-use lot by Hunting Creek Lake. Take the red-blazed Lower Trail, the shortest and easiest route to the falls, with interpretive signs and benches. It ends at the falls. Return the same way or by the rougher Cliff Trail. A boardwalk with a small handicap-only lot on Route 77 also reaches the falls.
Plan your visit
Lower Trail from the Hunting Creek Lake day-use area to Cunningham Falls
Maryland DNR lists the Lower Trail as 1/2 mile ending at the falls. Return by the same trail or by the 3/4-mile Cliff Trail.
Easy to moderate trail. Swimming is prohibited and climbing is not advised at the falls. Stay on trails and boardwalks.
Where to start
Day-use area lot in the William Houck Area on Route 77, with overflow at South Beach and North Beach lots. The area can close when full on warm weekends.
Timing & water
Hours 8 a.m. to sunset April to October and 10 a.m. to sunset November to March.
Before you go
William Houck Area day-use fees, per DNR: Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, $3 per Maryland resident and $5 per non-resident on weekdays, $5 and $7 on weekends and holidays. Off peak, $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents and $5 for others.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Old Dam WaterfallProbable match to the weir below Burnside Bridge; identity not confirmed3 ft (1 m) · Washington County, MD19 miSW
- Jarrett FallsNamed State Game Lands trail with wet, cable-assisted stream crossings7 ft (2 m) · Fulton County, PA36 miNW
McKeldin FallsOfficial park area and fees; visitor route documentedCarroll County, MD37 miSE