Maryland's Gorgeous Park In The Blue Ridge Mountains Offers Picturesque Fall Foliage Views

It's that time of year again. The air gets a little crisper, the days get slightly shorter, and t-shirts get swapped for cozy flannels. Fall may signify that colder days are ahead, but in Maryland, there's a stunning park located in the Blue Ridge Mountains that's sure to provide photographers and visitors picturesque fall foliage views that will have them grabbing their cameras and hitting the trails.

Catoctin Mountain Park is located in Thurmont, Maryland, just over an hour's drive from the city of Baltimore. The park is home to 25 miles of stunning hiking trails that offer outdoor enthusiasts gorgeous views of the park's 95% forest-covered area that's second growth. Nature lovers and leaf peepers will be thrilled with the array of maple, hickory, ash, oak and cherry trees that turn from emerald greens to fiery reds, golden yellows, and bright orange hues during fall.

Instagram feeds will soon be showcasing fall foliage photos from America's National Parks, as well as providing information as to where and when you can see the fall colors in each state. With peak fall foliage season starting in mid-October, plan your visit in advance to experience some incredible hikes bursting with technicolor scenery.

What was originally created as a means of reconnecting people with nature during the Great Depression of the 1930s, has now blossomed into an outdoor sanctuary with trails ranging from the wheelchair accessible Spicebush Trail, to strenuous hikes to the Chimney Rock viewpoint that reaches over 1,400 feet and provides views of fall foliage as far as the eye can see. Hikers looking to take a leisurely stroll along the water can enjoy the 1.3 mile long Deerfield Nature Trail Loop.

Those looking to beat daytime crowds during prime fall foliage weeks, can rent a cozy cabin for a night or two at one of the three cabin camps situated within the park. Misty Mount and Greentop offer cabins that range in size and can accommodate anywhere from three to 12 people, whereas Round Meadow offers more modern camping facilities and has heated dorms. 

Visitors looking to spend a day exploring the vast 6,000 acres covering Catoctin Mountain Park, can experience of the many scenic forested drives that travels along streams as you take in the bright colors fall has to offer. Within the park, take a drive down Catoctin Hollow Road, which will take you to a picturesque viewpoint overlooking the vivid colors along the treelined shores at Hunting Creek Lake.

With free admission to the park year-round, visitors are able to enjoy many activities without stretching their budgets on pricey passes. Visitors to the park should note that as of the time of writing, portions of Foxville Deerfield and Park Central roads will be closed due to construction work until the end of October 2025. Catoctin Mountain Park is open daily (closed on Federal holidays) from sunrise to sunset, so getting there early to enjoy empty trails and soak in the autumn scenery will allow you to embrace the kaleidoscope of colors surrounding you at your own pace.

The only thing more rewarding than catching a bite on your fishing line, is doing it with crimson colored leaves above you. Catoctin Mountain Park offers catch and release trout fishing for anglers looking to relax along the water's edge while surrounded by fall's vibrant colors.

Numerous picnic spots throughout the Owens Creek, Chestnut, Manor, and William Houck trails allow hikers to stop, relax, and enjoy colorful fall foliage as they watch wildlife like chipmunks, birds, beavers, and white-tailed deer. Hikers should keep a watchful eye out for bobcats and black bears, which have returned to the area. From gentle walks to strenuous climbs, a visit to Catoctin Mountain Park's colorful trails will have you snapping photos every step of the way.