Marylandfall foliage
When does fall color peak in Maryland?
Fall color usually peaks from late October to late October at the one Maryland place we track. Patuxent Research Refuge: usually Oct 21–31, per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The next season starts in ~3 weeks.
Updated Sep 28. Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Places in Maryland
- Patuxent Research Refuge
Usually Oct 21–31 · starts in ~3 weeks
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Places by state
Maryland
- Patuxent Research RefugeStarts in ~3 weeks
Usually Oct 21–31
- AntietamStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
- Catoctin MountainStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
- Fort Frederick State ParkStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
- Gambrill State ParkStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
- Greenbrier State ParkStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
Official reports
- Sep 28Park ServiceOwens Creek Campground open May through OctoberSource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park data in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServicePortions of park roads closed November into MarchSource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin getting around in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceUsual peak by refuge: early October at Aroostook, Nulhegan Basin and Missisquoi; mid-October at Moosehorn, Rachel Carson and Great Bay (marsh)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast in a new tab)
Show all 12
- Sep 28Park ServiceRefuge trails: autumn beech and maple color on the Forest Trail, Cash Lake, spring wildflowers, seasonal closuresSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Research Refuge, Trails in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceSouth Tract and North Tract, visitor center and hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Research Refuge, Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceBattlefield trails: Snavely Ford along Antietam Creek, Three Farms, Tidball overlook, Sherrick Farm, West WoodsSource (opens National Park Service, Antietam National Battlefield hiking in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceVisitor center hours; yearly Memorial Day, September 17 anniversary and December Memorial IlluminationSource (opens National Park Service, Antietam National Battlefield hours and seasons in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSeason begins early April; wildflower walks in April and May; Brown's Farm Trail, Big Hunting Creek, Blue Blazes Still TrailSource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park Wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceVisitor center parking can be a challenge on busy weekends; overflow at Thurmont Vista, Hog Rock or Chestnut Picnic AreaSource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin hours in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceChimney Rock, at about 1,400 feet, looks east over the PiedmontSource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin Chimney Rock hike in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceHog Rock Vista, the highest overlook on any trail loop, 1,610 ft; Thurmont Vista and Hog Rock parking areas closed in winterSource (opens National Park Service, Waterfall and Hog Rock loop in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceThurmont Vista, 1,502 ft, looking east over the Frederick ValleySource (opens National Park Service, Catoctin scenic vistas in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Maryland in 2026?
In a typical year Patuxent Research Refuge peaks Oct 21–31. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see fall foliage in Maryland?
We track 6 places: Patuxent Research Refuge (usually Oct 21–31), Antietam, Catoctin Mountain, Fort Frederick State Park, Gambrill State Park, Maryland and Greenbrier State Park, Maryland.
Why does color come earlier in some places?
Higher ground turns first. In the Great Smoky Mountains, color can start as early as mid-September at the highest elevations, develops above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, and reaches the lower and middle slopes between mid-October and early November.Source: National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do you track fall foliage?
Each place moves through 6 stages: Still green, First color, Moderate, High color, Peak and Past peak. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.