One of many lesser-known trip gems within the U.S., Maryland isn’t known as “America in Miniature” as a result of its whole land measurement is barely 10,000 miles.

As an alternative, Maryland earned this state slogan by offering nearly each sort of pure surroundings vacationers would need–from sandy seashores alongside the shoreline to giant parts of the Appalachian Mountains to pleasant rolling hills and dynamic cities.

Listed here are eight of the preferred locations in Maryland to go to through the fall:

Gunpowder Falls State Park

Positioned in Baltimore and Harford counties, Maryland’s Gunpowder Falls State Park affords 18,000 acres of wetlands, protected wildlands, steep mountain slopes, seashores, and quite a few historic websites.

Climbing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, horseback driving, and mountain biking are simply a few of the enjoyable actions households and {couples} will discover at Gunpowder Falls State Park. The park’s Hammerman Space gives playgrounds and picnicking areas whereas Dundee Creek Marina has boat leases, fishing deal with, and boat launching companies.

Annapolis

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and residential to the celebrated U.S. Naval Academy the place future officers of the Navy practice to be ensigns, commanders, and hopefully, captains. Annapolis within the fall is the place to go for festivals, such because the Kunte Kinte Heritage Pageant, the Annapolis Bluegrass Music Pageant, and the Maryland Renaissance Pageant. Along with lots of of 5-star eating places, outlets, and nightclubs, Annapolis affords dozens of public parks with small lakes, playground areas, paved trails, and ice-skating rinks.

Seneca Creek State Park

Gaithersburg, Maryland is residence to Seneca Creek State Park, a big, scenic swathe of forests, lakes, and grassy fields unfold over 6,300 acres. Seneca Creek winds by way of the park for 14 miles till it reaches the Potomac River. Nestled inside Seneca Creek State Park is Clopper Lake, the place vacationers can picnic, lease boats, hike trails, or experience bicycles on the 50 miles of trails across the lake.

Chestertown

Fall foliage lovers flock to Chestertown, MD in late September when this Jap Shore city dazzles vacationers with vivid crimson, orange, and gold-leafed timber flanking the perimeters of the Chester River. This historic school locale will appeal vacationers with its brick sidewalks, restored colonial properties, cozy inns, seafood eating places, and distinctive boutique outlets.

C&O Canal

Affectionately known as the “Grand Outdated Ditch”, the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal connects Cumberland, MD to Washington, D.C. operating parallel with the Potomac River. Constructed within the late nineteenth century, the C&O Canal is residence to lots of of outside actions, together with biking, over 100 miles of climbing trails, mule-drawn barge rides, bird-watching, and tenting. The canal’s towpath is open on daily basis of the 12 months from dawn to sundown. The Brunswick Customer Heart, positioned in Frederick County on the mile 55 marker, is a good place to search out extra details about the C&O Canal’s historical past and upcoming occasions.

Liberty Reservoir

For vacationers on the lookout for a spot the place they’ll fish, hike, boat, and experience bikes through the day, the Liberty Reservoir affords these actions and extra. Remember that swimming and tenting will not be allowed at Liberty Reservoir. Fishing lovers can count on to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, white perch, walleye, and bluegill on this well-stocked reservoir. Baltimore’s residents obtain their faucet water by way of the reservoir after water has been handled on the Ashburton Water Filtration Plant.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Only a five-minute drive from Frederick, MD, Sugarloaf Mountain emerges with a peak of 800 toes above the encircling panorama. Established as a Nationwide Pure Landmark in 1969, Sugarloaf Mountain is a privately owned, admission-free park offering loads of outside actions for vacationers. Sightseeing, mountain climbing, climbing, picnicking, and horseback driving alongside the park’s yellow or blue practice system are all open to the general public all through many of the 12 months.

Jap Neck Wildlife Refuge

A 2200-acre refuge positioned on the junction of Chesapeake Bay and the Chester River, the Jap Neck Wildlife Refuge was initially developed as a migratory fowl sanctuary. At this time, practically 250 completely different species of birds reside in or migrate to the refuge, together with peregrine falcons, tundra swans, and American bald eagles. Fall guests to this refuge can fish within the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay, take bicycle rides on specifically made grime and paved roads or stroll trails to view wildlife of their pure habitat. Bogles Wharf affords entry to launching non-motorized boats comparable to canoes or paddle boats. Picnic websites throughout the refuge could be discovered on the Ingleside Recreation Space positioned within the northwest area of the Jap Neck Wildlife Refuge.