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Maryland

When to catch Catoctin Mountainat its best

Catoctin Mountain through the year: wildflowers (local timing: from early April through the summer) and fall foliage (statewide: usually well under way by late October). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat slight chance rain showers then partly sunny, 68°F · Sun chance rain showers, 64°F
  • Park alertsNo current NPS alerts

When are you going?

Where to go at Catoctin Mountain

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Fall
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildflowers

Fall foliage

Next 7 days at Catoctin Mountain

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayPartly Sunny78° / 61°1% rain
  • ThuMostly Sunny82° / 64°2% rain
  • FriPartly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers84° / 58°33% rain
  • SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny68° / 53°26% rain
  • SunChance Rain Showers64° / 53°44% rain
  • MonMostly Sunny64° / 42°4% rain
  • TueSunny58° / 41°–

Today: sunrise 7:05 a.m., sunset 6:55 p.m., light until 7:22 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Visitor reports, not verified

Visitor reports for Catoctin Mountain open around Oct 4: that's when you can tell us how the trees looked.

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Catoctin Mountain in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A rock formation in the foreground with forested mountains in the background
The rock outcrop at Chimney Rock, the park's most popular vista, with mountains beyond (date not given). Photo: NPS Photo/Peggie Gaul · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Are there guided wildflower walks?

Yes, in April and May. Ask at the visitor center for dates and meeting places.Source: National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I pick flowers or collect seeds?

No. Picking wildflowers and collecting their seeds are both illegal in every national park.Source: National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is there a fee, and when is the park open?

Admission is free. The park is open every day from dawn to dusk.Sources: National Park Service, Catoctin Mountain Park Fees & Passes ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Catoctin hours ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where do I park on a busy weekend?

Parking at the visitor center can be a challenge on busy weekends. If it's full, the National Park Service suggests Thurmont Vista, Hog Rock or the Chestnut Picnic Area.Source: National Park Service, Catoctin hours ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30