Day trip similar to Cunningham Falls, Thurmont

[Anonymous]

I'd second the White Oak Canyon trail. Start from the bottom (parking area up the road from Etlan, Va, bring $ for the park because rangers check the cars and the fee box.) There is a forked loop trail - the Cedar Run trail, to the left, is our favorite, although I don't think you'll want to hike the 3-4 miles uphill, there are several swimmable waterfall pools and a natural waterslide you can Google pictures of (try the second waterfall past the boulder pool where the trail crosses the stream and heads up the hill, there's flat trail at the top and the second biggish waterfall has a nice jumpable pool, it's not as far up as the waterslide.)
The whole loop would be too far for little kids. White Oak side is frustrating because although it has the longest falls, you are way from the creek most of the time and it is very steep.
All along the creek there are little waterhole type places you could stop.
It's two hours drive each way, 1.5 hours to Spreeyville, and not much facilities at Etlan although the tiny general store has drinks and used to have great cookies. I'd bring your food or stop in Warrenton or Sperryville. It's a long way back to the highway and up the mountain to the park gates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd second the White Oak Canyon trail. Start from the bottom (parking area up the road from Etlan, Va, bring $ for the park because rangers check the cars and the fee box.) There is a forked loop trail - the Cedar Run trail, to the left, is our favorite, although I don't think you'll want to hike the 3-4 miles uphill, there are several swimmable waterfall pools and a natural waterslide you can Google pictures of (try the second waterfall past the boulder pool where the trail crosses the stream and heads up the hill, there's flat trail at the top and the second biggish waterfall has a nice jumpable pool, it's not as far up as the waterslide.)
The whole loop would be too far for little kids. White Oak side is frustrating because although it has the longest falls, you are way from the creek most of the time and it is very steep.
All along the creek there are little waterhole type places you could stop.
It's two hours drive each way, 1.5 hours to Spreeyville, and not much facilities at Etlan although the tiny general store has drinks and used to have great cookies. I'd bring your food or stop in Warrenton or Sperryville. It's a long way back to the highway and up the mountain to the park gates.

Wow those pools on White Oak Canyon trail are really cold. I don't equate that with the beach at Cunningham Falls State Park.

[ThatSmileyFaceGuy]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where was the nice country store with ice cream? Going up that way this weekend.

I'm guessing she's referring to South Mountain Creamery, which is close to both Cunningham Falls and Greenbrier State Park.

South Mountain Creamery is a bit off the path for Cunningham Falls if you don't know your way around that area

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever gone to Calvert Cliffs? I know it is pretty close and can be a day trip, but is there anything to do other than look for fossils?

[Anonymous]

Re: Cunninham Falls. Did you go to the lake and beach at the Houck Area? That is a place to spend the day. They rent boats, there is swimming and they have trucked in sand. I hear Gunpowder Falls State Park is nice
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/gunpowderhammerman.asp

But $5/person on weekends seems pretty high. It looks like the Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park, which we got in for $3( weekday). Children get in free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever gone to Calvert Cliffs? I know it is pretty close and can be a day trip, but is there anything to do other than look for fossils?

The 1-2 mile hike to the beach/cliffs is flat and pretty. There is also a lighthouse (& small museum?) not too far away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever gone to Calvert Cliffs? I know it is pretty close and can be a day trip, but is there anything to do other than look for fossils?

The 1-2 mile hike to the beach/cliffs is flat and pretty. There is also a lighthouse (& small museum?) not too far away.

You can also swim and the water's quite warm. And you're right, Calvert Marine Museum (or something like that) is just a bit further down rte 2-4 in Solomon's Island.

[Anonymous]

Burke Lake Park is fun. Nice flat trails, shady. A miniature train and carousel to ride, plus a playground. You can get ice cream there or drive to Clifton and buy Peterson's homemade.

[Anonymous]

We did an overnight trip to Big Meadows that could be done as a day trip. We stopped at an overlook along Skyline Drive, did a short hike down to Dark Hollow Falls, then the next day we wandered the meadow and took pictures of the kids posing on top of the big granite boulders. There's a dining room at the lodge with great views over the Shenandoah Valley, and a small playground.

[Anonymous]

these are great recs!

[Anonymous]

I would do White Oak Canyon from the Syria, Virginia parking lot. It is an easy walk/hike and the swimming and wadeing is great on a hot summer day.