Western Maryland is at or near peak fall color this week, while most of the rest of the state is still mostly green, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The agency’s most recent weekly report, dated October 8, 2026, says the biggest changes elsewhere are still a few weeks away.
What does the latest state report say?
DNR publishes a fall foliage report each week. Its October 8 edition summarized the picture this way: color is building fastest in Western Maryland, western regions are near peak, and most other areas are still mostly green.
In Garrett County, the report says sunny days, cool nights and a heavy frost accelerated leaf change. It named Meadow Mountain, Savage River Reservoir and Big Run as places expected to peak that week, with other areas following into the next.
All conditions below are as of October 8, 2026, according to DNR, and can change quickly. Check the newest report before you plan a trip.
Quick facts: conditions by region
| Region | Status as of Oct. 8, 2026 (DNR) |
|---|---|
| Garrett County | Near peak; Meadow Mountain, Savage River Reservoir and Big Run expected to peak that week |
| Washington County | Ridges mostly unchanged, early color appearing |
| Frederick County | Mostly green but starting to change; greatest change expected over the next two to three weeks |
| Baltimore County | Vibrant reds and subtler yellows showing |
| Eastern Shore | Dorchester mostly green; Somerset color subtle |
| Fair Hill, Cecil County | Moderate color change and some leaf drop |
Why is this year’s season uneven?
DNR’s October 1 report pointed to several stressors. It attributed a weaker season in part to an April warm spell followed by a freeze, which killed blossoms and reduced fruit production in trees. Drought, warmer nights and heavy rain were also cited.
A nor’easter’s rain and wind knocked down early-changing leaves of black walnut, black locust and hackberry in the western part of the state, according to that report. Warmer overnight temperatures had slowed color change, and DNR said peak foliage there was expected later in the month.
DNR forester Aaron Cook is quoted in the report: “Cool nights are needed to produce the most colorful leaves.” That is why the cold snap and frost in Garrett County mattered. The October 8 report credits cool nights and a heavy frost with speeding up the change.
How does color move across Maryland?
Color generally starts in the western mountains and moves east and south. DNR’s 2025 foliage preview laid out the usual order: Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties first, then Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil counties, with the southern parts of the state changing before the Eastern Shore.
That preview offered predicted peak weekends for last year, not this year: October 11 for Garrett County, October 18 for Allegany, October 25 for the Blue Ridge, November 1 for areas east of the mountains and west of Interstate 95, and November 8 for areas east of Interstate 95 and the Eastern Shore. DNR stressed these were only predictions, and that a single storm could change the schedule. The 2026 pattern has run roughly on the same west-to-east track, but with a weaker start.
What should you look for in each region?
Western and central Maryland
In Washington County, DNR’s October 8 report lists black walnut, hackberry and black locust as early turners that change fast but drop quickly. Classic reds are starting in red maple, blackgum and flowering dogwood, and linden is showing gold.
In Frederick County, blackgum, black walnut and flowering dogwood have changed the most, red maple is vibrant, and some hickories and oaks are showing more signs.
In Baltimore County, the report lists red maples, Virginia creeper and black gum for red, and poplars, understory sugar maple and black gum for yellow. It also warns that the red fall color of linden viburnum seedlings should not be mistaken for a native display, because they are invasive exotics.
Eastern Shore
Color is subtler here. In Dorchester County the report says leaves are still mostly green, led by young Atlantic bald cypress and sweet gum. In Somerset County, sweet gums show some yellow, black gums have occasional red leaves and bald cypress has hints of orange at branch tips. DNR says the color is subtle and must be looked for in fields and hedgerows. Cedars are starting to change, “leading the color parade,” in the report’s words.
Where can you pair leaf-peeping with an event?
The 59th Autumn Glory Festival ran October 7 to 11 in Oakland, in Garrett County, with parades, vendor shows, turkey dinners and driving tours, according to DNR. It has ended for this year, but the report lists other upcoming state park events:
- Oct. 17: Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center After Dark, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Oct. 17: Self-guided haunted hike at New Germany State Park, 7 to 9 p.m. The October 1 report describes a 1.5-mile trail with no fee, though donations are welcome. Pets are not allowed, the trail is not suitable for young children, and visitors should bring a flashlight or headlamp.
- Nov. 7: Fungi Fest at Pocomoke River State Park, 9 a.m. to noon.
DNR’s reports also note astronomy for the season. The Orionid meteor shower peaks October 21 and 22, best in the very early morning after the moon sets at 2:20 a.m.
Is there a way to see colors if you are color-blind?
Yes, at one state park. DNR’s report says an EnChroma viewfinder at Clopper Lake in Seneca Creek State Park, in Montgomery County, helps people with red-green color blindness see true foliage hues. Visitors are directed to park at the lower Boat Center lot near the self-launch ramp and follow the gravel path to the shoreline.
What else is worth noticing on the trail?
Leaves are not the only seasonal show. DNR’s October 8 report says old-field aster is in full bloom along grassland edges in Washington County. It describes the native perennial as a plant that feeds bees and fills bare, disturbed ground, which helps crowd out invasive species.
Earlier in the month, DNR noted that tree swallows and many blue jays were migrating through Dorchester County, and that mushrooms were abundant at Pocomoke River State Park after recent rain. Those details are a reminder that a foliage trip can double as a nature walk, even in weeks when the canopy is still green.
How can you plan a trip around the changing color?
The state’s 2025 preview recommended a few approaches that still apply:
- Start in the west early in the season, where Garrett and Allegany counties tend to peak first.
- Use the state park map and Maryland Scenic Byways to plan routes.
- If you fish or hunt, check season dates and licensing first.
- Follow the weekly Thursday DNR report, which runs through the season, and take it over any single prediction.
Because the 2026 season started unevenly, the weeks ahead may bring a rapid change in places that are green today. For Washington County, the report notes that periodic rain with cool weather could bring rapid change over the next few weeks.
Fall in Maryland is also a food season. If your drive takes you toward the water, see our guides to Maryland’s blue crab season and the winter dredge survey and Old Bay, the state’s signature seasoning, or browse Maryland’s state symbols, from jousting to Smith Island Cake.
What to take from this week’s report
Color is arriving unevenly across Maryland this year: near peak in the far west, just starting in the middle of the state and barely visible on the Eastern Shore. With cool nights helping and weather able to shift the timing, a weekly check of the state’s report is the most reliable way to time a visit.
This article is general information based on state agency reports. Conditions change weekly, so check current DNR reports and park notices before traveling.
Sources: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
