Blackwater Refugefall foliage
Blackwater's wildlife calendar, per the Fish and Wildlife Service, places the autumn-color peak within October to December; no narrower window is given (Oct 1–Dec 31). No official report yet this season.
Right now in Blackwater Refuge · September
3days to the next fall foliage seasonOct 1–Dec 31, Blackwater's wildlife calendar, per the Fish and Wildlife Service, places the autumn-color peak within October to December; no narrower window is given
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 3:10 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Peak shorebird migration, late April and early MayApr–May
- Marsh hibiscus begins to bloom, end of JulyJul
- Autumn colors peak (sometime October–December)Oct–Dec
Best spots around Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
- Wildlife Drive3.6 miles, popular with photographers and birders; entrance pass required
- Woods TrailOne of the refuge’s four land trails
Around Maryland this week
- Patuxent Research Refuge54 mi · usually Oct 21–31Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Gambrill State Park102 mi · Statewide: under way by ~Oct 28Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Catoctin Mountain107 mi · Statewide: under way by ~Oct 28Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Mid-Atlantic, sugar maple and flowering dogwood are behind a typical year; the rest are close to typical. Which trees turn when →
Blackwater Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR visit (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
Blackwater's wildlife calendar, per the Fish and Wildlife Service, places the autumn-color peak within October to December; no narrower window is given: Oct 1–Dec 31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 3 days (Oct 1–Dec 31, Blackwater's wildlife calendar, per the Fish and Wildlife Service, places the autumn-color peak within October to December; no narrower window is given).
Do I need a pass?
Only for the Wildlife Drive: an entrance pass is required there.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring a dog?
Not on the trails, even on a leash. On the Wildlife Drive, pets must stay in the vehicle.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where should I navigate to?
The visitor center: 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge?
Wildlife Drive: 3.6 miles, popular with photographers and birders; entrance pass required; Woods Trail: one of the refuge’s four land trails.
What is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Peak shorebird migration, late April and early May (Apr–May), Marsh hibiscus begins to bloom, end of July (Jul) and Autumn colors peak (sometime October–December) (Oct–Dec).