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Catoctin Mountain: Highway 77, Catoctin Mountain, Maryland
Photo: Jarek Tuszyński · CC BY 4.0

Drives Maryland West Virginia and Western Maryland

Catoctin Mountain: Highway 77

Foxville Road, MD 77 · Thurmont → Smithsburg

Sweeping8.9 mi15 min1,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,700 ftOne way
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The drive

Maryland Route 77 climbs west out of Thurmont past Catoctin Mountain Park, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. About 3 miles from Thurmont, a turn onto Park Central Road leads to the park's Visitor Center. This drive stays on MD 77 and Foxville Road, goes through Foxville, and ends in Smithsburg: 8.9 miles, about 15 minutes, with three twisty stretches and a climb of about 1,200 feet to 1,700 feet.

The park keeps 25 miles of hiking trails, and Chimney Rock is its most popular vista.

Along the way

  1. Thurmont
  2. Foxville
  3. Smithsburg
Elevation
1,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,700 ft
ThurmontSmithsburg
Curves
Mostly gentle, with three twisty stretches
ThurmontSmithsburg
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Route 77 is outside the park's jurisdiction, so park alerts may not cover it. Use Maryland's CHART site for closures.
  • You can park along Route 77 only if your vehicle is entirely outside the white line.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Maryland CHART.

Questions about this drive

How long is the Catoctin Mountain Highway 77 drive?

MD 77 from Thurmont to Smithsburg is 8.9 miles and takes about 15 minutes.

How do I get to Catoctin Mountain Park from Thurmont?

Take Route 77 west for about 3 miles, then turn right onto Park Central Road; the Visitor Center is on the right.

Is MD 77 twisty?

It is mostly gentle with three twisty stretches, near the start, in the middle and near the end.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Catoctin Mountain: Highway 77, from Thurmont to Smithsburg