Year-round youth primitive camping. Gravel entrance road showing 1 of 2 pit toilet buildings, shared pavilion, and potable water pump. Firewood is available on site. Parking is limited to 1 vehicle per site April through November only.
Youth enjoy rustic tent camping year-round.  Each of the 3 sites can accommodate 25 youth campers.
Each of the 3 group sites can accommodate 25 youth.  There are 2 shared pit toilet buildings, a pavilion, potable water, fire-rings and grills.  Firewood is available onsite.

Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground

Closed — Open year-round for reservation only. From December 1st through mid-March, Manahan Road closes and the campground becomes hike-in only. Reservations require a minimum 2-day advance booking window and must be made online at Recreation.gov or by phone.

Wind Advisory issued December 30 at 12:34AM EST until December 30 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

12:34 AM — 8:45 AM

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 to 50 mph. There may be a lull in the wind gusts between 3 AM and 7 AM, but winds will increase again later Tuesday morning before gradually subsiding during the afternoon. * WHERE...Portions of DC, central, north central, northeast, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia. * WHEN...Until noon EST today. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

From Recreation.gov

Poplar Grove Youth Campground does not accept walk in reservations. Reservations must be made online or by calling the call center. Reservations for Poplar Grove Youth Campground are not processed within the Park

From Recreation.gov

Beginning in the fall of 2025 water will no longer be provided at Polar Grove Youth Campground. Groups will need to provide their own water for drinking, handwashing and bathing, extinguishing campfires, etc.

From Recreation.gov

Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground is not available on a Walk-In basis; reservations must be made by phone or online in order to camp at this facility. There is a minimum booking window of 2 days - earliest date to reserve will be 2 days from today.

About

Poplar Grove Youth Group Campground offers organized youth groups and organizations a chance to experience traditional wilderness camping in the beautiful natural setting of Catoctin Mountain Park. The primitive camping area features tree-sheltered, flat tent sites surrounded by hardwood deciduous forest, providing an ideal environment for youth to connect with nature through healthy doses of imagination. Located just steps away from the Catoctin National Recreation Trail, the campground encourages nature hikes and campfire circles as popular activities. The park offers 25 miles of additional hiking trails for exploration. The remote location provides a peaceful setting that changes with the seasons, from snow-covered landscapes in winter to wildflower blooms in spring. The campground is open year-round but has important seasonal access considerations. From April through November, access is via gravel Manahan Road. From December 1st through mid-March, Manahan Road and Park Central Road west of Manahan Road close, making the campground accessible only by hiking in. Groups must bring their own water for all purposes as water service has been discontinued. This is a reservation-only facility with no walk-in availability.

Directions

From Route 15, exit at Catoctin Mountain Park/Route 77. Travel approximately six miles west, passing the Visitor Center and Park Central Road. Turn right on Foxville-Deerfield Road and bear right onto Manahan Road at the fork. Poplar Grove is located about a mile ahead on the gravel road. Note: From December 1st through mid-March, Manahan Road closes and access is hike-in only.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $35

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email debbie_mills@nps.gov
Phone +1 (301) 663-9388

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Year-round youth primitive camping. Gravel entrance road showing 1 of 2 pit toilet buildings, shared pavilion, and potable water pump. Firewood is available on site. Parking is limited to 1 vehicle per site April through November only.
Youth enjoy rustic tent camping year-round.  Each of the 3 sites can accommodate 25 youth campers.
Each of the 3 group sites can accommodate 25 youth.  There are 2 shared pit toilet buildings, a pavilion, potable water, fire-rings and grills.  Firewood is available onsite.
Each of the 3 group sites can accommodate 25 youth.  There are 2 shared pit toilet buildings, a pavilion, potable water, fire-rings and grills.  Firewood is available onsite.

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