The Maryland Park Service and partners improved five miles of trail inside Patapsco Valley State Park’s McKeldin Area this winter with adaptive mountain bikers in mind. It is the first network of adaptive mountain bike trails in Maryland, an amenity state officials plan to improve and expand moving forward. Thanks to the efforts of Friends Read the Rest…
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – George Burns Fall foliage in Maryland this year was unpredictable yet still delighted with breathtaking fall color, even if it was short-lived in some areas of the state. We began the season discussing possible leaf outcomes from this summer’s Read the Rest…
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen, from the novel “First Frost” Blink and you might miss it. Peak fall color that is. Some reports out of western Maryland this week describe past peak conditions, and foresters and park rangers in other Read the Rest…
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable … the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street … by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” —Hal Borland A Department of Natural Resources drone captured this patchwork of autumnal beauty over the Burkholder off-road vehicle trail area of Potomac-Garrett Read the Rest…
“If I were a bird, I would fly about the Earth seeking successive autumns.” – George Eliot We’re feeling a drop in temperatures across the state, with parts of Western Maryland dipping into the low 30s. Cooler temperatures and sunny days bode well for leaf change. According to the U.S. Forest Service, trees are continuing Read the Rest…
Living History Event Takes Place February 25 Fort Frederick State Park invites visitors to experience what life was like at the fort in the winter during the French and Indian War as it presents the program, “Freezing on the Frontier,” on Saturday, February 25. Visitors will get a firsthand look at what life was like Read the Rest…
The red in our Fall Foliage map is inching its way across Maryland, picking up six additional counties and Baltimore City, all reporting peak conditions as we enter November. Perhaps most surprising this week are reports of peak conditions out of St. Mary’s County. Yes, far Southern Maryland has arrived early to the fall show, Read the Rest…
The majority of our state is resplendent in fall color right now, with most of Maryland’s counties experiencing peak or near-peak conditions. Our resident photographers are capturing the moment, producing these gorgeous shots from Rocky Gap and Greenbrier State Parks and Thurmont, Maryland.
Maryland has been called “America in Miniature” – you can find just about any kind of natural feature here, except a desert. This has extended to the weather in recent days, with snow falling in Western Maryland and sunny, 70 degree days and blue skies on the Eastern Shore. The snowfall caused the loss Read the Rest…
This fall season is shaping up to be a memorable one, and if you’re lucky enough to live in or visit Western Maryland right now, you’ll soon know why. The fall foliage show is on in mountainous Western Maryland with a full spectrum of fall colors on display. This week we have an extended report Read the Rest…
“The sun after the rain is much more beautiful than the sun before the rain.” –Bill Watterson Last week we mentioned one of the biggest impacts on fall foliage – weather. Ian brought a lot of wind and rain to our region, resulting in a wet forest floor and cooler temperatures, and thankfully not a Read the Rest…
GO EAST! Western portions of the state have passed peak conditions and even had a little snow. Although there are still patches of fall scenery in the central part of the state, the fall color has shifted east of I-95 in Maryland. Based on our reports, the last of fall’s glory can be seen in Read the Rest…
The fall foliage this year has been a moving target, and we find ourselves entering November with some lackluster conditions. We are generally seeing a pattern from western Garrett County in the past peak stage to lots of green with pockets of color in far eastern Maryland. With the recent wind and rain, we’re seeing Read the Rest…
Overview Halloween week is here and this year’s fall foliage has been full of tricks and treats. We’re seeing a wide range of conditions based on location, elevation, and tree types. The wild weather has been throwing things off kilter too, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. Regardless, with the uptick in Read the Rest…
It’s mid-October here in Maryland and we have something to offer every fall foliage enthusiast. Crossing our state from west to east, you will experience it all — glorious autumn jewel tones decorating the skyline in the west —breathtaking sunrises and local critters basking in the last warm days of fall in the east. We Read the Rest…
Here we are, mid-October, and reports indicate that the leaves are dropping quickly. With wet conditions the past few days and some wind in the forecast for the weekend we may see significant leaf loss through the next week. Fall seems to have taken hold across the state with the west near or at peak Read the Rest…
Here we go folks, we’re seeing more color out west and the rest of the state is being blanketed in subtle yellows and reds. In the far western portions of the state our reports are indicating we’re at the mid-point, especially in the higher elevations. Through central and southern Maryland, we have a mixed bag Read the Rest…
Cooler evenings and crisp mornings bring a change in the air, and the leaves are responding. Thanks to submissions from our readers, it looks like fall colors have finally spread across Maryland. Keep checking back each Thursday for the latest information.
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. F. Scott Fitzgerald Fall is officially here and the trees are starting their transformation across the state. The western parts of Maryland will see the first true signs of color beginning this week, although things are off to a slow start. With the Read the Rest…
“Autumn comes with regal ease, content to arrive with slow grace. Though the first leaves have tumbled to the soil so rich with rain, most remain green, fluttering in the strengthening wind. And so, though I’m wishing for that garland of reds and golds, I must be as patient as she.” – Angela Caroline Abraham, Read the Rest…
Living History Offers View into America’s Foundations Fort Frederick State Park invites Marylanders to experience Fort Frederick’s unique role during three centuries that shaped our country from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 18. A day of events will offer a glimpse of the historic fort in four key eras: as Maryland’s frontier defense Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for November 5, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although recent wind and rain have sent much of Maryland past peak foliage, the southern part of the state is looking very colorful.
Black History Month Offers Lessons From Maryland’s Past In my home county, we are very proud of the legacy that Talbot County native Frederick Douglass left for our region, our state, and our nation. We are equally proud of the fact that we are the home of “The Hill,” which dates to 1790 and is Read the Rest…
Explore the Life of America’s Soldiers Through History Historic Fort Frederick State Park offers visitors a look at life in the fort this Veterans Day weekend as volunteers exhibit the varied roles the fort played during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. Events run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read the Rest…
Everyone Can Join the Action Oct 12-13 Fort Frederick State Park welcomes visitors this weekend to experience military life during the French and Indian War with the men and women of the Maryland Provincial Companies of Foot. Highlights of the event include cannon firing demonstrations, musket firing presentations, hearth cooking, military drills, and a special Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Sept. 28 and 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “As we officially welcome fall this week, the cool nights and sunny days are making for a beautiful start to a colorful display in Garrett County,” reports Melissa Nash, Garrett County forest Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Sept. 14 and 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Soon the landscape will explode with vibrant colors of orange, red and yellow. Kids will be jumping into newly raked piles of leaves and we’ll all “fall” back to Eastern Standard Time Read the Rest…
Visitors can explore the wild side of Fort Frederick State Park during the annual Nature Exploration Weekend Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Staff-led outdoor nature activities for all interest levels and ages will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday. A wide variety of special programs will include a a honeybee Read the Rest…
Reenactors to Exhibit Life in Western Maryland During French and Indian War Historical reenactors will take visitors on a journey back in time to the French and Indian War with volunteer living historians exhibiting the life of the French, British, and American Indian cultures during the French and Indian War Muster. The event will take Read the Rest…
Living History Events August 3-4 Fort Frederick State Park invites visitors to view life through the eyes of America’s soldiers from the founding of Maryland through the 20th century. The military history of Fort Frederick spans the 18th and 19th centuries. Building upon that legacy, this program will provide visitors with an up-close and personal Read the Rest…
Go Colonial to Celebrate Our Independence Fort Frederick State Park invites Marylanders to experience what life was like at the fort during the American Revolution as it presents its annual program, “The Fort is Pretty Full,” June 28 through July 7. Events take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Built in 1756 Read the Rest…
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates the Completion of Phase IV The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on June 1 to celebrate the completion of the Phase IV extension of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. The event will be held in the western terminus parking lot, 12719 High Read the Rest…
Eighteenth Century Comes Alive April 25-28 History buffs of all ages are invited to experience an authentic colonial market fair at Fort Frederick State Park April 25-28. The annual Fort Frederick Market Fair features top artisans, craftspeople, entertainers and sutlers together with an 18th century military encampment alongside the park’s historic 1756 stone fort.
History is all Fun and Games for a Weekend Visitors to Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County can experience the lighter side of the French and Indian War during an annual living history event 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28. Members of the recreated Joshua and Alexander Beall’s Company and Maryland Militia Read the Rest…
Living History Event Oct. 6 and 7 Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County invites Marylanders to take a journey back in time to commemorate the fort’s role in the American Civil War. Union, Confederate and civilian reenactors will assemble for a weekend of living history and tactics demonstrations. The weekend program takes place from 9 a.m. to Read the Rest…
“Once a Year They March” on Sept. 29 Fort Frederick State Park invites visitors to experience life for a citizen-soldier in the Maryland militia during the French and Indian War. The event takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 29, beginning with a flag raising ceremony over the historic fort built in 1756. The militia was an Read the Rest…
Take a Closer Look at the Life of the Common Soldier Sept. 15-16 Historic Fort Frederick State Park will give visitors a look at life in the 18th century fort as volunteers exhibit the varied roles the fort played during the French and Indian War, American Revolution and Civil War. While not a turning point in Read the Rest…
Participate in Historical and Outdoor Activities Sept. 1-3 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomes the public to enjoy Labor Day weekend at Fort Frederick State Park Sept. 1-3 during the annual Park Exploration Weekend. Activities will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day; Saturday night will feature a unique nocturnal hike at 8 Read the Rest…
Learn About Conservation at Historic Property The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invite the public to attend an open house 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9, 2018, at the Woodmont Lodge in Washington County. The annual event at the Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area allows guests to tour the 18,785-square foot lodge, a building rich in architecture and Read the Rest…
History Falls into Formation Aug. 4-5 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to Fort Frederick State Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 to experience what life was like for the American soldier through history, from the founding of Maryland to the 20th century. The military history of Fort Frederick spans the 18th Read the Rest…
Help Sought in Effort to Bring Monarch Butterflies The public is invited to help Fort Frederick State Park and the Monarch Alliance place 500 plants in the park’s new pollinator habitat June 2. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m, with planting beginning at 9 a.m. “The 500 native plants provided by the alliance will allow the park Read the Rest…
Special Events Include Children’s Fishing, Geology Program and Night Hike The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomes the public to enjoy Memorial Day weekend at Fort Frederick State Park May 26-28 during their Summer Discovery Weekend program. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Saturday night will feature a unique nocturnal hike starting at Read the Rest…
Historic Reenactments May 12-13 Living historians will occupy and re-enact daily life at the centuries-old fort on the grounds of Fort Frederick State Park May 12-13 and the public is invited to attend. Activities will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13. Volunteer re-enactors will demonstrate how Read the Rest…
Guided Ride May 5 All are invited to a free guided bike tour along the Western Maryland Rail Trail beginning at 10 a.m. May 5. The 20-mile round trip will begin at at the C&O Bicycle Shop, located at 9 South Pennsylvania Ave. in Hancock. Fort Frederick State Park naturalist Ellen Kinzer will lead the group at a Read the Rest…
Shoppe until Ye Drop April 26-29 History fans will delight in visiting the 18th century Market Fair at Fort Frederick State Park. The annual event features entertainment, food and merchants from the colonial time period adjacent to the park’s historic stone fort built during the French and Indian War in 1756. The fair runs April Read the Rest…
