Fall Foliage in Baltimore
Published on October 20, 2019 - Updated on November 12, 2020
Fall has officially arrived. That means that nature is about to put on one of its most spectacular shows of the year. Peak fall foliage in Maryland is predicted to occur in late-October for the 2019 season. Check out our top picks for where to enjoy the autumn colors in and around Baltimore this year!
Elk Neck State Park in northeast Maryland is located on a peninsula that is bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and Elk Neck River. For the best views of fall foliage, visit the historic Turkey Point Lighthouse. Visitors can view the autumn leaves while standing atop a 100 foot bluff at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Visit on a weekend in October if you’d like to climb the 35 feet to the top of the lighthouse.
If you’re looking for a fall adventure that doesn’t require much travel, look no further than Oregon Ridge Park in the heart of Baltimore County. The park offers easy hiking through deciduous forests that turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The park also offers a fabulous playground that the kids will be excited to take advantage of.
Another great option for fall foliage in Baltimore County is Loch Raven Reservoir. The road is closed on weekends, making it the perfect place to take a scenic bike ride. The shimmering surface of the reservoir make the autumn colors even more spectacular!
The C&0 Canal provides 184 miles of hiking and biking just on the towpath alone. Additional trails add even more to that figure. Regardless of which trail you take, the C&O Canal is one of the best places around to enjoy the beauty of fall. There are seven visitor centers located along the towpath and we recommend starting your visit by stopping in to one. From there, take a leisurely stroll along the mostly flat towpath or choose a more strenuous trail, you can’t go wrong either way! Check out the Park Planner for more detailed information on each visitor center as well as other services that this national park offers.
Sugarloaf Mountain is about an hour drive from Baltimore but well worth it for the amazing views that it provides. Visitors can choose from three different overlooks that provide stunning views of the rolling farmland and countryside below. The kids will also be enamored with the rocky terrain that just begs to be climbed on!
Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park
This two-for-one park in Frederick County, Maryland is an autumnal paradise. Cunningham Falls, maintained as a Maryland State Park, offers an easy to moderate .5 mile hike to the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, with plenty of stunning fall colors on the way. The adjacent Catoctin Mountain Park, a national park, offers short hikes to fabulous overlooks that provide views of the forests below. There are several easy hikes that are perfect for families. We recommend stopping into the visitor center to decide which trail is best for you!