Patapsco Valley State Park
16,000-acre park featuring the Hollofield Valley Overlook for sweeping views of autumn hillsides and river trails.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Patapsco Valley State Park
Peak fall color is predicted around October 25. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 20 to October 30.
The prediction comes from 24 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Howard County and across Maryland.
That is 1 day later than usual (October 24): the six weeks to October 13 ran 0.8°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color. This will settle about ten days before peak, as the weather comes in.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near Patapsco Valley State Park
30 to 60 minutes
- Falls Road16 mi · 34 minPeak: Oct 30Status: Moderate color
- Druid Hill Park19 mi · 37 minPeak: Oct 31Status: Moderate color
- Oregon Ridge Park23 mi · 43 minPeak: Oct 29Status: Moderate color
- Western Maryland (Garrett & Allegany Counties)26 mi · 46 minPeak: Oct 23Status: Moderate color
- Black Hill Regional Park34 mi · 56 minPeak: Oct 28Status: Moderate color
- Gunpowder Falls State Park32 mi · 56 minPeak: Oct 21Status: Early color
- Annapolis41 mi · 59 minPeak: Nov 4Status: Early color