83°
Mostly Sunny
3%
84
Frederick County, MD · Lake
Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)
14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788
43-acre Hunting Creek Lake in the William Houck area, with three designated sandy swim beaches and lifeguards daily Memorial Day–Labor Day. Trail to 78-foot Cunningham Falls (Maryland's tallest cascading waterfall) starts from the same area.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
83°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 11pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am, then isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 83°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
85 /100
ideal
84 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
83°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
5 to 10 mph
S
Rain
3%
Today
Tomorrow
84°F
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
4:06 PM
1.1 ft · in 1.4h
Water Quality
Clean
2 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:43 AM
Sunset
8:41 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:20 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 11:36 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 4:06 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 10:09 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
84°
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
54
77°
Showers And Thunderstorms
90%
19
80°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
54
84°
Mostly Sunny
10%
85
90°
Mostly Sunny
7%
76
93°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
52
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Houck Area lot.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas; not on swim beaches.
Entry Fee
$3 MD / $5 non-resident weekdays; $5 MD / $7 non-resident weekends & holidays
Address
14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas; not on swim beaches.
Is there an entry fee at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)?
$3 MD / $5 non-resident weekdays; $5 MD / $7 non-resident weekends & holidays
Are there lifeguards at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)?
Amenities at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) include lifeguards, beach, falls trail, boat rentals, boat launch, camping, cabins, nature center.
When is the water warmest at Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake)?
Inland lakes peak in July and August at 75-80°F and hold warmth longer than tidal beaches. Swimming comfortable from mid-June through September.
Where is Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) located?
Cunningham Falls State Park (Hunting Creek Lake) is in Frederick County, MD, at 14274 William Houck Dr, Thurmont, MD 21788.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS