Fall Foliage on the Delmarva Peninsula
- Laura Scharle
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
It seems that in this day and age of outdoor influencers, we’d be remiss not to write a blog post about the best places to view fall foliage on Delmarva. Because let’s get real; everyone loves fall foliage.
Delmarva is not really known for its fall foliage though. We don’t hold a candle to Vermont, upstate New York, or the Blue Ridge parkway. That’s probably because we don’t have enough elevation to get those scenic vistas with sweeping views of millions of trees in all their autumn glory. We also have a ton of evergreen loblolly trees that sort of drown out the possibility for an epic orange, yellow, and red landscape. But a quick AI-powered search through the photo archives revealed that we do, in fact, have some stunning fall foliage here on the peninsula.
No matter where you head on Delmarva this fall, you will see pretty trees. The following roundup of places to see fall foliage is not at all comprehensive and probably doesn’t even highlight the best places to go leaf-peeping, but it’s all we’ve got. So grab your pumpkin spice latte, put on some flannel, and go peep those Delmarvalous leaves!
Trap Pond State Park
Good ol’ Trap! This is a very popular choice to see fall leaves on Delmarva, but it’s popular for a reason. Paddling the cypress swamp in the fall is a totally different experience than in the spring and summer. And nearby Trussum Pond is also a great choice if you’ve been to Trap too many times already.
Ocean Pines
The trails, ponds, and water access points within the community of Ocean Pines, MD are all open for public use, so don’t hesitate to check them out! The Route 90 trail is a great option for foliage and the spur that goes around the (somewhat hidden) pond makes for great foliage reflections on the water.
Downtown Salisbury
You don’t need to venture into the vast wilderness to see signs of fall. A quick paddle or stroll through downtown Salisbury offers the chance to see those leaves in an urban setting. If paddling the river, launch at the Riverside boat ramp. While you’re in Salisbury, taking a side trip to Pemberton Park is also a great option to enjoy the colors.
Assawoman Canal
The manmade canal that connects Indian River Bay and the Little Assawoman Bay is perfect for getting stunning shots of fall foliage reflecting on the water. Paddling the canal from the Town Rd launch offers the best access for kayaks and paddleboards. If you’re not a paddler, you can still enjoy the canal in the fall by walking the Assawoman Canal Trail adjacent to the canal.
Terrapin Nature Park
Kent Island’s Terrapin Nature Park is a great spot to take in the autumn views. With several miles of trails and a beach for a pitstop, it’s the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon. Extend your adventure by pedaling the Cross Island Trail or the South Island Trail.
Forget the Leaves, Fungi Is Where The Color Is!
If you’re in search of pretty colors in the fall, you don’t need to look up into the trees. You can actually spot some really beautiful colors on the ground! Fall is a wonderful time to spot cool mushrooms and other fungi, some of which come in some really stunning fall colors. If you’re really into the fungi, be sure to check out Pocomoke River State Park’s Fungi Fest!
So get out there, y’all. Enjoy everything that Delmarva has to offer this fall.
