Illustration

State guide

When to catch Marylandthrough the year

Two Maryland peaks have a named place and a source: Fort McHenry's cherry trees, most likely at peak between the last week of March and the first week of April, and Patuxent Research Refuge's fall color, which peaks in late October.

When are you going?

Fall in Maryland

USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEPatuxent Research RefugeLate OctoberMaryland
“late October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
SEASON · FALL FOLIAGEBlackwater RefugeOctober to DecemberMaryland
“October to December” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

More fall foliage:Antietam Catoctin Mountain Gambrill State Park

Also good in fall

AntietamBattle anniversary (September 17)
Baltimore (Fort McHenry)Defenders' Day
Blackwater RefugeBald eagle numbers rise as migrants arrive from the north
Eastern Neck RefugeSouthbound songbird migration peaks, late September to October
Gambrill State ParkFall color across Maryland (statewide, volunteer observers)
Patuxent Research RefugeFall color

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Places in Maryland

Pick a part of the state; the map follows

Spring
Fall
Winter

Places on this map, as a list

Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Frederick and Washington counties

Baltimore and the Patuxent

Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore

Planning a Maryland trip

Everything here from each place's own sources

Towns to stay in

Baltimore, MDBaltimore (Fort McHenry) · 2 mi
Frederick, MDGambrill State Park · 5 mi
Salisbury, MDBlackwater Refuge · 29 mi

Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.

Browse by season and event

Fall foliage · 5 places hereFall foliage in Maryland →Fall foliage, everywhere →
Cherry blossoms · 1 place hereCherry blossoms, everywhere →
Winter wildlife · 2 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →

Questions people ask

When do Fort McHenry's cherry trees peak?

Most likely between the last week of March and the first week of April.Source: National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is fall color at its best at Patuxent?

The Fish and Wildlife Service puts the refuge's peak in late October.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the battlefield open at Antietam?

The park is open during daylight hours. The visitor center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the park and visitor center close on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.Sources: National Park Service, Antietam National Battlefield hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Antietam National Battlefield hours and seasons ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What should I watch for on the trails at Antietam?

Poison ivy, stinging nettle, stinging insects and groundhog holes. Stay on the trails and wear good walking shoes.Source: National Park Service, Antietam National Battlefield hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What does peak bloom mean at Fort McHenry at Baltimore (Fort McHenry)?

The National Park Service calls it peak bloom on the day 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open.Source: National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How long do the blossoms last at Baltimore (Fort McHenry)?

Usually several days, says the National Park Service. Cool, calm weather can stretch it; a rainy, windy day can end it suddenly, and a late frost can stop the bloom altogether.Source: National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Plan a Maryland trip for your dates →Alerts for Maryland

Nearby state guides: District of Columbia · Delaware · Virginia · New Jersey

Maryland in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions

Channels of blue water between golden marsh grass, with a few pines on the horizon — Tidal marshes at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: USFWS · public domain · resized

Canada geese on the water of an impoundment at Blackwater refuge — Canada geese in an impoundment at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Betty Whetzel/USFWS · public domain · resized

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

How we know

Every timing on this page, from these pages; checked Sep 30

Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
Sep 27Park ServiceTwo Yoshino groves (152 trees, planted 1931); peak most likely last week of March to first week of AprilSource (opens National Park Service, Cherry Blossoms at Fort McHenry in a new tab)
Sep 28ReferenceOctober–December section: autumn colors peak; spring migration; marsh hibiscus at the end of JulySource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife 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 28Park ServiceSeasonal wildlife calendar: tundra swans from mid- to late November to the end of March, eagle nesting, ospreys, butterflies, songbirdsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Neck NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) 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)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.