Catoctin Mountain Zoological Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Catoctin Mountain Zoological Park is a popular destination for animal lovers located in Thurmont, Maryland.
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Summary
The park is known for its diverse collection of animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and many other exotic species. Visitors can also see birds of prey, reptiles, and a variety of domestic animals.
One of the main reasons to visit Catoctin Mountain Zoological Park is the chance to see rare and endangered animals up close. The park is committed to conservation and education, and visitors can learn about the animals and their habitats through interactive exhibits and educational programs.
Some of the most popular points of interest in the park include the big cat exhibits, the bear habitat, and the reptile house. Visitors can also take a guided tour or attend a live animal show.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a rehabilitation center for injured and abandoned animals, as well as its involvement in breeding programs for endangered species. The park is also home to a variety of native plant species and is situated in a scenic area of Maryland.
The best time of year to visit Catoctin Mountain Zoological Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and many of the animals are most active. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy seasonal events and special exhibits throughout the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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