Maple Syrup Festival 2023 On Tap at Cunningham Falls State Park

Annual March Event Celebrates Mountain Maryland Tradition

Maryland DNR photo

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to come celebrate the annual Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park, the weekends of March 11-12 and March 18-19. During this event, held annually for more than 50 years, guests can gather around the Sugar Shack to watch sugarmakers demonstrate the traditional way of boiling sap into syrup against the backdrop of Maryland’s woodlands.

Live bluegrass music will fill the air as Maryland-made maple syrup is served over a hot pancake and sausage breakfast. Guests can also take a hayride through the Maple Grove to see exactly how Park Rangers collect sap. And everyone can try their hand in the great pancake race – trying to flip a pancake on the run ahead of other contestants. 

Events take place each day of the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  A sign language interpreter will be stationed at the Sugar Shack on both Sundays. Syrup-making demonstrations and hayrides take place every hour on the hour. A $5 donation per person is requested at entrance. Breakfast is available during the festival hours for an extra cost.

Proceeds from the Maple Syrup Festival benefit the nonprofit Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks. 

The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at sunset. Pets are permitted on a leash, outside only. This event is ADA accessible. Visitors may contact 301-271-7574 for more information.