Gathland State Park and the Appalachian Trail (AT)

Turners Gap to Crampton Gap (Gathland State Park)

Road Approaches and Parking

To reach Turners Gap: From the east, on I-70, take US Alt-40 west. The AT, going south, follows an old dirt road opposite Dahlgren Road. There is no dependable parking in the vicinity, but the owners of Old South Mountain Inn (0.1 mi west of AT) often allow day hikers to park for free, behind the inn, if permission is asked. (On weekends, park cars in Park, using one car space at the inn for shuttle.) Distance is 57 miles from Washington, D.C.

From the west, US Alt-40 diverges from US 40 just outside of Hagerstown, but has no junction with I-70. US Alt-40 may also be reached, from I-81, via MD 68; or from Shepherdstown via MD 34. Then see above. Distance is 2 miles from Boonsobor.

From US 340, take MD 67 north and turn right onto US Alt-40. Then see above.

Reno Monument Road: There is no parking at this AT crossing.

To reach Crampton Gap: From US Alt-40 (see above), take MD 67 south (from west), or MD 17 south (from east). Then turn onto Gapland Road (MD 572), which leads to a free parking lot in Gathland State Park at Crampton Gap. Another parking lot at the gap is adjacent to Arnoldstown Road. Distance is 59 miles from Washington, D.C., and 1.2 miles from the center of Burkittsville.

From US 340, take MD 67 north (from west), or MD 17 north (from east), and see above.

Points of Interest

At Turners Gap, the Old South Mountain Inn and Dahlgren Chapel are of historical interest. Part of the Battle of South Mountain was fought in the vicinity of Turners Gap, but heavier fighting centered around Fox's Gap, where a monument to Major General Reno may be seen (0.2 mi east on Reno Monument Road, at 0.8/6.4 mi). the small quartzite cliff known as White Rocks (0.1 mi by side trail, at 3.7/3.5 mi) offers a southward view that is poor in summer, but excellent in winter. At Crampton Gap, scene of another Civil War battle, a memorial to Civil War correspondents and the ruins of Gathland may be seen.

Maps

PATC Map 6 and USGS Middletown and Keedysville Quadrangles

Shelters and Campground

Dahlgren Backpack Camping Area (at 0.2/7.0 mi), established and maintained by the Maryland Park Service, has numerous excellent sites, rest rooms, water, and showers. Use is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rocky Run Shelter (0.2 mi by side trail, at 1.75/5.6 mi), first built by the CCC in 1940-41, accommodates five persons. Seasonal spring.

Bear Spring Cabin, (0.5 mi by side trail, at 4.3/3.0 mi) is a locked cabin owned by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC).

Supplies

Boonsboro (2 miles west of Turners Gap) has grocery and hardware stores and a post office. Burkittsville also has a post office.

Water is available at Dahlgren Backpack Camping Area (at 0.3/7.0 mi) from bear Spring (0.3 mi by side trail, at 4.3/3.0 mi), and at Crampton Gap, when the park facilities are open.

Brief Description

This is a relatively easy section with generally excellent footing. The ascent of Lambs Knoll is steeper from the north.

Side Trails

To Rock Run Shelter (at 1.7/5.6mi)
White Rocks Trail (at 3.7/3.5 mi)
Bear Spring Cabin Trail (at 4.3/3.0 mi) To Crampton Gap (at 6.8/0.4 mi)