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Maryland fall foliage
Among the 3 Maryland destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 20 around Deep Creek Lake (2,460 ft) to about November 7 around Ocean City (10 ft).
2026 foliage season
Maryland fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 3 Maryland destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
How fall color moves through Maryland
In a typical year, the color moves through the 3 Maryland destinations we track over about 3 weeks. Deep Creek Lake is usually first, around October 20, and Ocean City is usually last, around November 7. In order, the typical peaks are: Deep Creek Lake around October 20, Baltimore around October 31, and Ocean City around November 7.
Best places for Maryland fall foliage
- Deep Creek Lake: Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, sits at about 2,460 feet in the mountains of Garrett County, with about 65 miles of wooded shoreline.
- Baltimore: Baltimore’s color is in its stream valleys and parks.
- Ocean City: Pocomoke River State Park. About 30 miles southwest, the Pocomoke River runs through what Maryland calls the northernmost bald cypress swamp.
Scenic drives
- Near Deep Creek Lake: US 219 runs past the lake through the hills of Garrett County, with farm fields and wooded ridges on both sides.
- Near Baltimore: Loch Raven Drive follows the shore of Loch Raven Reservoir through the woods north of the city.
Planning around elevation
Deep Creek Lake, at about 2,460 feet, is the highest destination we track in Maryland, and it typically peaks about 19 days before Ocean City, at about 10 feet. It is also well to the north, which affects the timing too. Within any one area, higher ground usually turns first, so if one place is still green, look higher; if it is past peak, look lower.
Visiting at different times
Mid-October. Deep Creek Lake (best about Oct 18–Oct 26) is typically at its best.
Late October. Baltimore (best about Oct 30–Nov 7) is typically at its best.
November. Ocean City (best about Nov 6–Nov 14) is typically at its best.
Trees behind the color
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in Maryland?
Among the 3 Maryland destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 20 around Deep Creek Lake (2,460 ft) to about November 7 around Ocean City (10 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in Maryland?
Deep Creek Lake is usually first among the Maryland destinations we track, with peak around October 20. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in Maryland?
Ocean City usually peaks last, around November 7. If you miss peak up high, head downhill and toward the coast, where the Eastern Shore’s cypress swamps turn late.
What trees give Maryland its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include red maple, sweetgum, northern red oak, sugar maple, tulip tree, and bald cypress.
Check any city or ZIP code in Maryland.
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