Fall Foliage Peak Map, Plus MD Festivals For Oct. 19-20

MARYLAND — Green is still the predominant color of leaves across much of Maryland, even though the colors are out in the western counties. Marylanders in the Baltimore/DC region should find red and orange hues in Patapsco Valley State Park and the woods in Frederick County, said the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

“We are getting beautiful colors in Patapsco Valley State Park – bright yellows, oranges and reds. Leaves are still still changing here as many trees are still green,” says Ranger Felicia M. Graves of Baltimore County.

“Anne Arundel County is about the same as last week,” said project forester Justin Arseneault. “There’s a lot of color in the small trees, such as the flowering dogwood, and we are beginning to see some yellow and orange in the overstory trees. but green is still the dominant color for now."

The Fall Foliage Prediction Map, found on the Smoky Mountain National Park website, includes predictions not just for the Smokies, which rise above the Tennessee-North Carolina border, but for all 50 states.

The colors in Garrett County are stunning. "Remember this window can be short, come see it before it’s gone,” says Ranger Adam Stachowiak, assistant manager of Herrington Manor, Swallow Falls, and Wolf Den Run state parks.

Frederick County leaves are just beginning to change, according to Ranger Mark Spurrier, manager of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks.

Abigail Matta, park naturalist at Elk Neck State Park, says most of the trees there are still hanging onto their green pigment but slowly transitioning to yellow. “Several of the red maples have gotten into the festivities, their bright leaves adding a little color to the park,” she said.

“Yellow poplars and sweet gums are in almost full yellow now with some red on the sweet gums,” said Rob Clarke, Lower Shore project manager with the Maryland Forest Service. “... The red maples are starting to turn red and there is no change in the oaks yet.”

Assateague State Park Manager Angela Baldwin is seeing just a little bit of color on the far shore. “I’m thinking another week or two and we’ll have some nice color.”

SEE ALSO: MD Weekend Events: Pumpkin Festival, Murder Mystery, Garden Glow

Weekend festivals include:

SATURDAY

Kidz Fall Fun Day
Frederick County
Scarecrows March Down Main
Frederick County
Spirits of the Furnace
Frederick County
Garden Glow at Ladew Topiary Gardens
Harford County
The Lost City at Historic St. Mary’s
St. Mary's County
Tilghman Island Day
Talbot County
American Indian Festival at Patuxent River Park
Prince George's County

SUNDAY
Halloween on the Avenue
Anne Arundel County
Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair
Montgomery County
Brews + Bivalves
Prince George's County

ALL WEEKEND
Captain Avery Museum Oyster Festival
Anne Arundel County
Fair Hill International Equestrian Competition
Cecil County
Homegrown Hay Days
Frederick County
Oktoberfest at Schifferstadt
Frederick County
U.S. Oyster Festival
St. Mary's County
Berlin Oktoberfest
Worcester County
O.C.toberfest Beach Maze
Worcester County