When do leaves peak in Maryland in 2026?

Peak color is predicted for November 1–November 5 (best estimate November 3). Color starts around October 19 and trees are mostly bare by November 25.

How reliable is the Maryland forecast?

The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.

What are the best things to do in fall in Maryland?

The iconic stops: Swallow Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Butler's Orchard, Field of Screams Maryland, Original Fells Point Ghost Walk, Bowles Farms. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.

What are the best things to do in autumn in Maryland?

Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Swallow Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Butler's Orchard, Field of Screams Maryland, Original Fells Point Ghost Walk; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.

When do the leaves change in Maryland?

From Garrett County's sugar maple ridges peaking in early October to the oak-hickory woods around Catoctin Mountain Park and the Eastern Shore's cypress sloughs coloring into November, Maryland spans the season.

Autumn foliage at Swallow Falls State Park — 📍 Swallow Falls State Park, Maryland· Photo: Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

2026 Forecast4 weather anchors

Peak: November 1–November 5

Color builds from October 19 · mostly bare by November 25

Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.

Known for

Deep Creek Lake / Garrett County
Catoctin Mountain Park
Antietam battlefield grounds

Things to do in fall in Maryland

13 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.

Swallow Falls State Park

State park

Peak October 15 2026 forecast

Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall, drops 53 feet through this 257-acre Garrett County park near Deep Creek Lake, reached by an easy loop trail through one of the state's few stands of old-growth hemlock and white pine.

Don’t miss: 53-ft Muddy Creek Falls · Old-growth hemlock and pine forest · Near Deep Creek Lake

Cunningham Falls State Park

State park

Peak October 29 2026 forecast

Cunningham Falls tumbles 78 feet down a rock face in the Catoctin Mountains, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, reached by a short trail from the Houck day-use area of this roughly 6,000-acre park established in 1954 alongside the 43-acre Hunting Creek Lake.

Don’t miss: 78-ft Cunningham Falls · Catoctin Mountain fall color · Hunting Creek Lake

Butler's Orchard

Orchard

Color nearby peaks November 2 2026 forecast

Five generations of the Butler family have farmed this roughly 300-acre Germantown property since 1950; its Pumpkin Festival, running since 1980, fills fall weekends with pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, and a corn maze.

Don’t miss: Pumpkin Festival since 1980 · Pick-your-own pumpkins · Hayrides and corn maze

Field of Screams Maryland

Haunted attraction

Dates TBA Color nearby peaks November 3 2026 forecast

A multi-haunt scream park on Olney Laytonsville Road, north of the Capital Beltway, known for its Trail of Terror, Haunted Trail and Slaughter Factory haunted house. The park sat out the 2025 season for a full rebuild of its trail and says it will return in 2026.

Don’t miss: Trail of Terror and Haunted Trail · Slaughter Factory haunted house · Returning in 2026 after a full rebuild

Original Fells Point Ghost Walk

Ghost tour

Dates TBA Color nearby peaks November 4 2026 forecast

An all-ages walking tour of Baltimore's waterfront Fells Point, run by Baltimore Ghost Tours since 2001 and departing from Broadway Square by Max's Taphouse. Guides tell haunting tales drawn from real events across the cobblestone district on Friday and Saturday nights, spring through November.

Don’t miss: Departs Broadway Square by Max's Taphouse · Running since 2001 · Fri & Sat nights, spring through November

Bowles Farms

Corn maze

Dates TBA Color nearby peaks November 5 2026 forecast

A Southern Maryland farm on Budds Creek Road in St. Mary's County that opens a walk-through corn maze, pumpkin field and barnyard on fall weekends. Wagon rides, barrel rides through the pumpkin patch and a straw jumping pit round out the day; the 2025 maze marked 25 years of the attraction.

Don’t miss: Walk-through corn maze on fall weekends · Pick-your-own pumpkin field · Wagon rides and barnyard

Brad's Farm Market

Farm

Color nearby peaks November 2 2026 forecast

A seasonal produce farm and market on Asbury Road in Churchville, Harford County, open April through October. Every weekend in October it turns into a fall festival, with the farm stand carrying fresh local produce daily from 9 a.m. through the picking season northeast of Baltimore.

Don’t miss: Fall festival every October weekend · Farm market open April to October · Fresh local produce daily

Milburn Orchards

Cider mill

Dates TBA Color nearby peaks November 2 2026 forecast

An Elkton orchard known around Cecil County for its apple cider donuts, made fresh daily at the farm market alongside pies, fruit breads, and fudge. The Fall Festival adds hayrides through the orchard, a straw bale maze, and a corn maze, though the 2026 festival dates were not posted yet, so it is worth checking the calendar before you drive out.

Don’t miss: Famous apple cider donuts · Fall Festival hayrides and mazes · Fresh apple cider through December

Understand the season in Maryland

Short explainers on why and when the color arrives here.

A tree flushed red in late summer while the forest around it stays green

Foliage Timing & Seasons

False Fall: Why Some Leaves Turn in Late Summer

Red leaves in late summer usually aren't an early fall. They're almost always a stressed tree reacting to drought, damage, or disease.

2026-07-17 · 5 min read

Frequently asked

When do leaves peak in Maryland in 2026?: Peak color is predicted for November 1–November 5 (best estimate November 3). Color starts around October 19 and trees are mostly bare by November 25.
How reliable is the Maryland forecast?: The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
When is Maryland's autumn season?: Maryland colors during autumn (September–November). From Garrett County's sugar maple ridges peaking in early October to the oak-hickory woods around Catoctin Mountain Park and the Eastern Shore's cypress sloughs coloring into November, Maryland spans the season.
What are the best things to do in fall in Maryland?: The iconic stops: Swallow Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Butler's Orchard, Field of Screams Maryland, Original Fells Point Ghost Walk, Bowles Farms. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
What are the best things to do in autumn in Maryland?: Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Swallow Falls State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Butler's Orchard, Field of Screams Maryland, Original Fells Point Ghost Walk; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.

See it on the map