Fall Foliage in Baltimore, MD 2025
Visit some of Baltimore County's 360 parks during fall
Best time: mid-October–early November
Baltimore boasts over 4,000 acres of parks and forests. The waterfront location and beautiful nature make Baltimore and its suburbs one of the most picturesque places in the state during the changing leaves season. Thanks to the abundance of maple, oak, dogwood, sycamore, and Linden trees, Baltimore is dressed up in beautiful shades of yellow, red, and orange every fall.
When to see fall foliage in Baltimore
The golden season in Maryland is quite short. The leaves start changing colors in early October. And by the time the calendar approaches the end of the month, you can witness all flora turn red, yellow, and orange. In early November, leaves start falling down, ending the most beautiful time of the year. Thus, the best time to visit Baltimore for fall foliage is mid- to late October.
Leaf-peeping spots in the city
Inner Harbor
The waterfront, located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor district, is a perfect location for your leaf-peeping trip. You can take a walk along the waterfront, enjoying the rust-colored leaves and their magnificent reflections in the water. And if you want to reach a new level of relaxation, throw a picnic there with your family or friends.
City parks
Baltimore has a terrific park system with many awesome places to feel the fall vibe. The finest destinations are Druid Hill Park, with its dense forests and tree groves; Patterson Park, crowded with lush knolls, oaks, and maple trees; and Cylburn Arboretum, offering amazing views of golden gardens, woodlands, and planted trees. So pick your favorite spot or go the extra mile and visit them all—you won't regret it.
Liberty Reservoir
Located in a 40-minute drive from the city, Liberty Reservoir offers ideal fall-adventure conditions. The area boasts lush forests with all sorts of red, orange, and golden trees, many no-name hiking trails, and, of course, a water reservoir. Water activities include kayaking, boating, and fishing.
Gunpowder Falls State Park
With 120 miles of trails, Gunpowder Falls State Park is one of the largest state parks in Maryland. The main attractions of the park, located in Northern Baltimore County, include the Gunpowder River, the Big and Little Gunpowder Falls, and the Jerusalem Mill Historic Village. The park is known for its fishing and a large variety of old trees, like birches, black walnuts, hickories, and beech.
Oregon Ridge Park
A 1,043-acre park in Cockeysville, Oregon Ridge Park boasts forest hiking trails, a pond, lots of birds and wildlife. In the 19th century, the area used to host an iron ore and marble mining operation. Visitors can still see marble quarries and iron ore pits within the park, as well as archaeological sites and various exhibits in the nature center.
Scenic Drives
Maryland doesn't lack picturesque roads that look especially stunning when framed with a canopy of fall foliage. Go for a drive on the Horses & Hounds Scenic Byway, a 70-mile road from Hunt Valley to Towson. In colonial times, this route was favored by fox hunters, and the area still boasts many horse farms and nature trails, as well as wineries and breweries with glorious fall colors on the backdrop.
