While crisp mountain air and vistas of vibrant foliage are reasons enough for a fall mountain getaway, consider a whole mountain of brilliant reasons to experience autumn in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.
Catch the Fall Foliage Train Experience
All aboard this vibrant excursion, as passengers are transported through the colorful mountains of changing leaves, from Cumberland to Frostburg, Maryland, on the restored diesel locomotive of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The Fall Foliage Experience offers a standard coach ride and optional dining service, throughout October. You won’t want to miss it!
Get on the Water
The air crisps quick here in the mountains, but fall is the perfect time to squeeze in one last paddle before the falling leaves turn to snow. Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park offers rentals for kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards and has the picturesque surroundings of the beautiful fall mountains. The Potomac River, forming the southern border of Allegany County, winds along the historic C&O Canal Towpath and through Green Ridge State Forest, Maryland’s largest contiguous forest.
Bicycle Through the Mountains
The Great Allegheny Passage offers an incredible fall foliage ride through the mountains, following the old Western Maryland Railway tracks from Cumberland to Frostburg, and continues north to Pittsburgh, PA. Highlights include Bone Cave, where 41 genera of mammals were found from 1912-1916, including the skeleton of a saber-toothed cat; the picturesque Helmstetter’s Curve; multiple tunnels; the Mason Dixon line; and the Big Savage Overlook, where riders get a gorgeous view overlooking Allegany County.
Grab Your Golf Clubs
Allegany County features three stunning mountainside golf courses, including the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort, which was recently named one of Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in Maryland”! Relax and enjoy a round on any of the three courses, surrounded by spectacular fall scenery.
Capture an Iconic Fall View
Dan’s Rock in Midland, Maryland, is the highest elevation point in Allegany County, overlooking the mountain ranges of Maryland and West Virginia. If a road trip is what you are after, we highly suggest the self-guided scenic overlook tour in Green Ridge State Forest. Travelers can pick up a map from the Forest headquarters and drive 45 miles, stopping at five scenic overlooks.
This fall, let Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, serve as a home base for exploring attractions and the great outdoors. The accommodations include a handful of charming and historic bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels, a large selection of chain hotels, and beautifully set campgrounds.
So, what are you waiting for? The mountains are calling!
Maryland. Be Open For It.
