2026 Fall Foliage Report

Week 1 Recap

It seems Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, went to sleep over the weekend and woke up to pops of fall color across the western and higher-elevation regions of the county.

Warm autumn days followed by cooler nights dipping below 50 degrees have helped set the stage for the seasonal transformation. And while much of Mountain Maryland is still dressed in green, the first waves of golden yellows, warm oranges, and hints of red are beginning to make their appearance.

With the region's diverse mix of hardwood trees, including oaks and maples, the fall foliage season is just getting started, and the mountains are beginning to show off.

A paved road leads into a heavy forested area with shades of yellow foliage showing along the trees, and a welcome sign to Dans Mountain State Park situated alongside the road.
Location: Dans Mountain State Park

Higher Elevations Are Leading the Way

If you're chasing fall color this week, head west and climb a little higher!

Fall foliage is becoming more noticeable in the western portions of Allegany County, particularly around Dans Mountain and Frostburg, where higher elevations are among the first to welcome the seasonal change.

Dans Rock, the highest point in Allegany County at approximately 2,900 feet above sea level, offers a front-row seat to the changing landscape. Meanwhile, the Mountain City of Frostburg, sitting at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, is already showing beautiful splashes of autumn color.

It's the kind of scenery that makes you want to grab a warm cup of coffee, throw on a cozy layer, and head outdoors to soak it all in.

The art sculpture featuring a golden face with bike wheels as hair is the focus with tree changing to fall colors in the background.
Location: Switchback Trail - Frostburg, MD

A Little Color Now, With More to Come

There's something magical about the way the autumn sunlight hits the mountains this time of year. At just the right hour, pockets of yellow and gold seem to glow against the still-green forest canopy.

While some areas are beginning to look and feel like fall, much of Allegany County's forested landscape is still preparing for its grand seasonal display.

And that's the beauty of fall foliage in Mountain Maryland. With elevations ranging from river valleys to mountain ridgelines, the colors don't arrive everywhere at once. Instead, the season unfolds across the landscape, offering new views and changing scenery as the weeks progress.
An aerial view of a country road weaving in and out of forest that is changing colors of yellow and gold for Fall.
Location: Dans Mountain State Park

Looking Ahead: The Best Is Still to Come

If we had to sum up Week 1 of our 2026 Fall Foliage Report, we'd say this: The colors are changing, the mountains are waking up, and the best of fall is still ahead.

Some tree species are changing quickly, especially at higher elevations, while much of Mountain Maryland's forest canopy is expected to undergo its seasonal transformation over the next two weeks.

But don't wait for peak color to start exploring!

The early stages of fall bring their own kind of beauty, with vibrant pops of color scattered across green mountainsides, crisp mornings, and scenic roads just waiting to be explored.

Whether you're planning a scenic drive, a mountain hike, a rail adventure, or a cozy weekend getaway, now is a wonderful time to experience the changing season in Allegany County.

An aerial view of the Frostburg Depot space in early fall, overlooking train tracks the Depot building and winding roads.
Location: Frostburg Depot

The trail to fall color starts here.