ODNR Offers Eye-Catching Autumn Leaf Color by Day, Halloween Fun by Night

ODNR Fall Foliage Update #5 – October 21

COLUMBUS, OH – Outdoor enthusiasts can now enjoy peak fall color during visits to Ohio’s state parks, forests and natural areas. And autumn fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Ohio state parks offer Halloween campouts, haunted trails and other great activities allowing families to create lasting memories.

“For many people, the beautiful foliage is just one part of the autumn experience,” said Casey Munchel, fall foliage expert for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. “They are thrilled to spend the day hiking, boating or hunting beneath the cover of the colored forests, but the experience is that much more enjoyable when they can continue with hayrides, pumpkin carving contests, costume contests and more at an Ohio State Park.”

Ohioans and out-of-state visitors who are looking for haunting good times can celebrate Halloween a little early with trick or treat events and spooky haunted trails. 

Event	Park	Region	Date	Detail	Contact Info
Halloween Campout	Lake Alma State Park	SE	Oct. 23-24	Campsite decorating & trick or treat.	740-384-4474
Haunted Trail	Lake Milton State Park	NW	Oct. 23-24, 7 – 10:30 p.m.	Spooky scenes along the accessible paved trail.	330-654-4989
Halloween Campout	East Fork State Park	SW	Oct. 23-24	Games, contests, hayrides & trick or treat.	513-734-4323
Halloween Campout #2	Mohican State Park	NE	Oct. 23-25	Costume & campsite decorating contests, trick or treat, nature programs and crafts for campers & cottage guests.	419-994-4290
Halloween Campout	Deer Creek State Park	C	Oct. 23-25	Hayrides, trick or treat, crafts, games & campsite decorating.	740-869-3124
Hayride & Harvest Moonlight Tour	Malabar Farm State Park	NE	Oct. 24, Noon-8 p.m.	Fee for hayrides & house tours	419-892-2784
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides	Lake Hope State Park	SE	Oct. 24 2-5 p.m.	At nature center. Continuous 20 minute rides.	740-596-3030
“Hollow”een Fest	Quail Hollow State Park	NE	Oct. 24, 5-9 p.m.	Haunted Manor House tours, hayrides & a bonfire. A fee is charged for the haunted house.	330-877-6652
Halloween Party	Sycamore State Park	SW	Oct. 24	Games and seasonal activities	937-854-4452
Owl Prowl	Van Buren State Park	NW	Oct. 24, 7 p.m.	At Shelter house #3. Live owl program & a guided hike.	419-348-7679

For more about fall events, activities and fall color viewing opportunities, visit www.ohiodnr.com. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

ODNR sites around the state have reported the status of fall color. Here are the most current reports from selected locations: 

Location	Region	Color Condition
A.W. Marion State Park	Central	Peak
Alum Creek State Park	Central	Peak
Beaver Creek/Guilford Lake State Parks	East	Near peak
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve	Central	Peak
Buckeye Lake State Park	Central	Near peak
Dillon/Blue Rock State Parks	East	Peak
Buck Creek State Park	West	Fading
Burr Oak State Park	Southeast	Peak
Caesar Creek State Park	Southwest	Peak
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve	West	Peak
Deer Creek State Park	Central	Peak
Harrison Lake State Park	Northwest	Peak
Hocking Hills State Park	Southeast	Peak
Hueston Woods State Park	Southwest	Peak
Indian Lake State Park	West	Near peak
John Bryan State Park	West	Near peak
Kent Bog State Nature Preserve	Northeast	Fading
Kiser Lake State Park	West	Near peak
Lake Hope State Park	Southeast	Peak
Malabar Farm State Park	Northeast	Peak
Maumee State Park/Forest	Northwest	Peak
Mohican State Park	Northeast	Peak
Mt. Gilead State Park	Central	Peak
Pike Lake/Paint Creek	Southwest	Near peak
Punderson State Park	Northeast	Peak
Quail Hollow State Park	Northeast	Peak
Salt Fork State Park	East	Peak
Shawnee State Park	Southwest	Peak
Sycamore State Park	West	Peak
Tar Hollow State Park	Southeast	Peak
Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve	Northeast	Fading
Van Buren State Park	Northwest	Peak
Zaleski State Forest	Southeast	Peak

 

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Continue to look for future reports in this series of updates that will highlight some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio’s fall color season. ODNR’s web site will post updated reports and news releases will be issued weekly by ODNR to announce the reports, now through early November. Also at www.ohiodnr.com, hear fall foliage podcasts with information from ODNR’s fall color specialist, Casey Munchel.

For further information, contact:
Casey Munchel, ODNR Division of Forestry
513. 932. 6836
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860

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