Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
Weather Hard frost Tuesday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at Fort Washington Park in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Fort Washington Park around Oct 27, and the four days to aim for are Oct 26 to 29.
That's 2 days earlier than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the area |
|---|---|
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Nearly peak |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Peak color |
| Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Just past peak |
That’s 2 days earlier than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.
Plan this tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Monday, October 26 to Tuesday, October 27
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- Where to drive
- Skyline Drive, about 75 miles · Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 142 miles
- What turns
- sweetgum, blackgum, red maple, water oak, white oak
What turns, and when
- sweetgum20%
- blackgum20%
- red maple20%
- water oak20%
- white oak10%
- sassafras10%
Also named across Maryland, outside what the canopy read measures here: Tulip Poplar, Hickory.
Western Maryland's Allegheny ridges turn gold and russet with oaks and hickories while sweetgums in the Piedmont produce vivid purple and red.
Across Maryland as a whole: Mid-October in western Maryland, late October to early November in the Piedmont and Eastern Shore.
Questions people ask about Fort Washington Park
- When is peak fall foliage at Fort Washington Park?
Our forecast puts peak color at Fort Washington Park around Oct 27, and the four days to aim for are Oct 26 to 29.
- Where is the best fall color at Fort Washington Park right now?
On Nov 11 the area is fading.
- How long does peak last at Fort Washington Park?
About four days at the top, Oct 26 to 29, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is Fort Washington Park past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 27, and on Nov 11 it's fading.
- What trees turn color at Fort Washington Park?
Red Maple, Tulip Poplar, White Oak, Hickory, Sweetgum. Western Maryland's Allegheny ridges turn gold and russet with oaks and hickories while sweetgums in the Piedmont produce vivid purple and red.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
Shenandoah and Assateague Island are on the map above, with their own date.
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
- Peak Nov 2 best Nov 1 to 4
- Peak Oct 16 best Oct 15 to 18
- Peak Oct 14 best Oct 13 to 16
Fall color roads near Fort Washington Park
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the area, so allow more by road.
- Skyline Drive
The full length of Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap. 75 overlooks in 105 miles. Best in mid-to-late October.
- Route 39 (Goshen Pass)
A quiet Valley of Virginia gem that follows the Maury River through a gorge of red oaks and hemlocks.