Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground

Hello, Maryland youth group leaders, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts! If you’re searching for an exceptional location to provide young people with an immersive and authentic wilderness camping experience right here in our beautiful state, then Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground in Thurmont, Maryland, is a destination you simply must consider. This unique campground is specifically designed to cater to organized youth groups, offering a rustic yet well-equipped setting that encourages connection with nature, skill-building, and camaraderie in the heart of the Catoctin Mountains.

Nestled within the breathtaking Catoctin Mountain Park, Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground provides a fantastic opportunity for young Marylanders to experience traditional primitive camping while benefiting from essential amenities and a commitment to maintenance. As one delighted visitor noted, it's a "Great youth site. Clean and well maintained pit toilet. Nice pavilion. Bear proof dumpster in parking lot. Tent sites/common areas were spacious and well maintained. Excellent experience." Another emphasized the peaceful ambiance, describing it as a "Nice area to camp. Quiet and secluded." These firsthand accounts highlight the dedication to creating a positive and safe environment for youth groups. Poplar Grove is not a public campground for individual families; rather, its exclusive focus on youth organizations ensures a tailored and appropriate setting for educational and recreational programs. In this detailed article, we'll explore everything you need to know about Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground, from its strategic location and accessibility to its specific services, unique features, and why it stands out as an ideal choice for youth group camping in Maryland.

Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground is located at 6602 Foxville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA, within the scenic Catoctin Mountain Park. This prime setting places it amidst the beautiful hardwood deciduous forest of the Catoctin Mountains, a highly popular natural area in Frederick County, Maryland. The campground is situated on Manahan Road, a gravel road in the western portion of Catoctin Mountain Park.

For Maryland groups planning a trip, Poplar Grove is remarkably accessible. From major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Washington D.C., the drive typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, making it a convenient destination for a weekend or multi-day excursion. From Frederick, the drive is even shorter, usually less than 30 minutes. To reach Poplar Grove from Route 15, campers will exit at Catoctin Mountain Park/Route 77, travel approximately six miles west past the Visitor Center and Park Central Road, then turn right onto Foxville-Deerfield Road and bear right onto Manahan Road at the fork. The campground is approximately one mile ahead on the gravel road. It's important to note that during winter months (typically December to mid-March), Manahan Road is closed to vehicles, requiring groups to hike approximately one mile from Camp Round Meadow parking lot to access the campground. This seasonal variation adds to the primitive nature of the experience and should be factored into planning. The location within Catoctin Mountain Park means youth groups have direct access to a vast network of trails and the park's interpretive programs, making it an excellent base for outdoor education and adventure.

• Youth Group Exclusivity: Poplar Grove is exclusively for organized youth groups (members under 18, with adult supervision), ensuring a focused and appropriate environment.
• Primitive Tent Sites: Offers three spacious and "tree sheltered, flat tent sites," each accommodating up to 25 visitors.
• Vault Toilets: Features "clean and well maintained pit toilet(s)" (vault toilets) centrally located for group use, promoting hygiene in a rustic setting.
• Covered Pavilion: A "nice pavilion" is centrally located and shared by all three group sites, providing a communal sheltered area for activities, meals, or gathering.
• Bear-Proof Dumpster: A "bear proof dumpster in parking lot" is provided for safe waste disposal, crucial for wildlife management in a mountain environment.
• Fire Circles and Grills: Each group site includes a designated campfire circle and grill for cooking and traditional campfire activities.
• Provided Firewood: Firewood is conveniently provided on-site, and dead wood may be collected for fires, reducing the need for groups to transport their own.
• Limited Vehicle Access: Each group site is limited to two vehicles or one vehicle and one unhooked utility trailer in designated parking spaces. Additional vehicles must park at Camp Round Meadow, about one mile away (especially during winter closures).
• Potable Water Access: A shared potable water spigot is centrally located; however, it's important to note that water may not be available during sub-zero temperatures (and starting in 2025, water will not be available on-site, requiring groups to bring their own).
• Self Check-in/Check-out: Facilitates a smooth arrival and departure process.
• Reservation System: Reservations are required and can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling the Visitor Center. No walk-in reservations are accepted.

• Dedicated Youth Group Environment: The primary highlight is its exclusive focus on youth groups, providing a safe, controlled, and educational setting specifically tailored for young campers.
• Immersive Wilderness Experience: Offers "traditional wilderness camping in a beautiful, natural setting," encouraging youth to connect deeply with the outdoors.
• Cleanliness and Maintenance: Consistently praised for being "clean and well maintained," from the tent sites to the privy, reflecting National Park Service standards.
• Spacious Group Sites: "Tent sites/common areas were spacious" and well-laid out, providing ample room for group activities and individual tents.
• Essential Backcountry Amenities: The presence of bear-proof dumpsters and a shared pavilion significantly enhances the primitive camping experience by providing necessary safety and communal facilities.
• Direct Access to Catoctin Mountain Park Trails: Just steps away from the Catoctin National Recreation Trail and within Catoctin Mountain Park, offering 25 miles of hiking opportunities for all skill levels.
• Year-Round Primitive Camping: Accessible year-round, even with winter hike-in access, allowing groups to experience the beauty of the forest in all seasons.
• Provided Firewood: The convenience of on-site firewood saves groups the hassle of bringing their own and promotes responsible fire practices.
• Peaceful and Secluded: Despite being within a popular park, the campground offers a "Quiet and secluded" atmosphere conducive to learning and reflection.
• Educational Opportunities: Encourages nature hikes and campfire circles, aligning with outdoor education principles and fostering healthy imagination.

Address: 6602 Foxville Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, USA

Phone: (301) 663-9388 (Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center - for campground inquiries between 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Mobile Phone: +1 301-663-9388 (Same as above, often used for Visitor Center contact)

For reservations and detailed information, it is highly recommended to use the Recreation.gov website or call the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center directly during their operating hours. For emergencies or after-hours assistance during your stay, a 24-hour dispatch number (1-866-677-6677 or 301-714-2235) is provided by the park. Remember that reservations are mandatory and cannot be made on a walk-in basis.

For Maryland locals involved with youth organizations—be it scout troops, school outdoor clubs, or church groups—Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground offers an unparalleled resource for authentic wilderness experiences right in our own state. We understand the importance of providing young people with opportunities to connect with nature, learn valuable outdoor skills, and build strong bonds in a safe and structured environment. This campground excels in all these aspects.

Its exclusive designation for youth groups ensures that the setting is always appropriate and focused on the educational and developmental needs of young campers. The consistently "clean and well maintained" facilities, from the pit toilets to the spacious tent sites and the convenient pavilion, demonstrate a commitment to providing a high-quality primitive camping experience. The inclusion of bear-proof dumpsters and provided firewood further simplifies logistics for group leaders, allowing more time to focus on programming and less on resource management. Critically, Poplar Grove's location within Catoctin Mountain Park provides direct access to an extensive trail network and park interpretive programs, offering endless possibilities for nature hikes, outdoor education, and fostering a deep appreciation for Maryland’s natural heritage. While a more primitive site (especially with the upcoming water changes in 2025 and winter hike-in access), this encourages self-reliance and true immersion in the outdoors, skills that are invaluable for youth development. For Maryland-based youth organizations seeking a quiet, secluded, and purposefully designed space to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, Poplar Grove Youth Group Tent Campground is an exceptional and highly suitable choice that delivers on its promise of an "excellent experience."