Catoctin Mountain Park | POPLAR GROVE YOUTH GROUP CAMPGROUND

Campsite at the Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground at Catoctin Mountain Park

Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground at Catoctin Mountain Park

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground is located on the west side of Catoctin Mountain Park on Manahan Road, a dirt road just west of the Chestnut Picnic Area. The campground is exclusively for organized youth groups such as school and church groups and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Group members must be under 18 years old. Adult chaperones are required. Official group members cannot bring their families (other than an adult chaperone), friends, and other non-group members. A one parent / one child group outing is permitted as long as no more than 50 percent of the group is adults.

CAMPING SEASON

The Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground is open year-round. From December 1st until mid-March campers must hike to the campground. Snow or not, Manahan Road is closed during this time, as is Park Central Road west of Manahan Road. The closest parking lot is at the Chestnut Picnic Area. The Catoctin National Recreational Trail is accessible from there, and the trail passes very near to the campground. The trail follows closely to Park Central and Manahan roads, so campers can walk on the roads just as easily. The hike is about one mile.

TYPE OF CAMPING

Only tent camping is allowed at the Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground.

NUMBER OF CAMPSITES

There are three campsites at Poplar Grove, and each can accommodate up to 25 people. Larger groups must reserve multiple campsites. No one campsite is better than the other, so don’t spend any time thinking about which one to reserve.

There is only parking for a half-dozen cars, two per campsite (one can be a trailer full of gear). Additional vehicles must be parked at Camp Round Meadow.

Campsite A at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Campsite A at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Campsite B at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Campsite B at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Campsite C at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Campsite C at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

TERRAIN

The Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground is located on a large grass-covered field and surrounded by a forest. Camping is actually done in the forest, and sections are color coded for each campsite. The picnic tables and grills are on the grass field. No tents or canopies are allowed on the field.

Camping area in the forest at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Camping area in the forest at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

As with just about anywhere in Catoctin Mountain Park during the summer, the gnats are unbearable. In August I never saw a mosquito, but I’ve read plenty of reports about them lingering around as well.

AMENITIES

All campsites at Poplar Grove have four picnic tables, two grills, a fire pit, and a lantern post.

There is no electricity or modern restrooms at the campground. Instead, there are two fancy outhouses—pit toilet in a permanent building—that are shared by all campers. Furthermore, there is no longer potable water available, so groups must bring their own drinking water.

Fancy outhouse at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Fancy outhouse at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

There is a covered picnic pavilion that is shared by all campers.

Covered picnic pavilion at Catoctin Mountain Park's Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Covered picnic pavilion at Catoctin Mountain Park’s Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Firewood is available for free, though donations are appreciated. Drop your money into the donation box. You can also burn deadwood found in the park. Outside firewood is not allowed.

FEES AND RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required to stay at the Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground—walk-ups are not allowed. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance and up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777 between 10 AM and 12 AM EST.

The current camping fee is $35 / night. This can always change, but the current fee is listed on Recreation.gov.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

  • Check-in time is 3 PM. Check-out time is 12 PM.
  • Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.
  • No generators are allowed.
  • No pets are allowed other than service animals.
  • No alcohol is allowed.

With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.

Last updated on February 1, 2023
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