Washington Monument State Park
Panoramic views of the autumn landscape from the historic monument tower.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Washington Monument State Park
Peak fall color is predicted around October 30. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 25 to November 4.
The prediction comes from 14 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 Washington County and across Maryland.
That is 2 days later than usual (October 28): the six weeks to October 13 ran 1.8°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 Washington Monument State Park
30 to 60 minutes
1 to 2 hours
- Patapsco Valley State Park48 mi · 1 hr 5 minPeak: Oct 25Status: Moderate color
- Historic National Road49 mi · 1 hr 9 minPeak: Oct 22Status: Moderate color
- Gettysburg40 mi · 1 hr 12 minPennsylvaniaPeak: Oct 24Status: Early color
- George Washington Memorial Parkway51 mi · 1 hr 13 minVirginiaPeak: Oct 28Status: Moderate color
- Western Maryland (Garrett & Allegany Counties)48 mi · 1 hr 15 minPeak: Oct 23Status: Moderate color