Ellicott City
Historic town · Ellicott City · Maryland
Three Quaker brothers founded this mill town on the Patapsco River in 1771, and its steep Main Street still holds the granite storefronts that grew up around their mills. Filled today with antique shops and restaurants, the historic district anchors the oldest surviving train station in the country, a short drive from both Baltimore and Washington.
Don’t miss
Color nearby peaks: October 27–October 31
Color builds from October 20 · mostly bare by November 20
Sampled at Ellicott City’s own coordinates and elevation (66 m) rather than a regional average.
Maryland is sampled at 4 weather points, then moved 4 days later so the model agrees with 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Maryland is running 5 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Ellicott City
Good color holds through about November 7, giving you roughly 18 days from the first turn to past peak. Against Maryland overall, that is 2 days earlier.
It is in Baltimore, close enough to reach without planning a drive around it.
Ellicott City on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Maryland, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Maryland
Leaves & views
Farms & harvest
Cider & donuts
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Ellicott City peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 27–October 31 (best estimate October 29). Color starts around October 20 and is mostly bare by November 20.
- How do I get to Ellicott City?
- Ellicott City is in Ellicott City. The closest city is Baltimore, about 10 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Maryland's fall lineup.
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