AUTUMN COLORS STILL CHANGING ACROSS OHIO
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of updates, highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's Fall Color season. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Tuesday through early November. Each week will also feature a getaway destination in a region of Ohio showing peak color.

COLUMBUS, OH - Fall Color is still changing in the state this week, with maple and ash trees adding their traditional reds and golds to the landscape, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
 
"It has been very nice weather for fall color. The recent onset of cool nights will help bring out the vibrancy of color," said Casey Munchel, fall color specialist for the ODNR Division of Forestry. "Maples with their reds are really becoming noticeable - as are the bright yellows and golds of green ash."

Munchel noted that color conditions north of Interstate 70 (across the state's midsection) are generally changing and should see near peak color next weekend, while woodlands south of the interstate are still in the early stages of change. Areas where trees are more stressed (urban areas and areas along roadways) are showing more color. Overall, the color remains spotty, yet more vibrant than last year.

Ohio's state parks, forests and nature preserves offer some of the best Fall Color viewing in the state, along with seasonal activities for the whole family. Seasonal events are scheduled for Mohican State Park in Ashland County, Marblehead Lighthouse State Park in Ottawa County, Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Greene County, Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, Paint Creek State Park in Ross County, Beaver Creek in Columbiana County, Mary Jane Thurston State Park in Henry and Wood counties, and Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County.
 
Travel to Geneva State Park in Ashtabula County for a weekend getaway to see northeast Ohio's spectacular fall color. Stay in a luxurious lodge room, a comfortable cedar cabin, or camp in your own tent or camper. Then visit nearby nature preserves, scenic rivers and wildlife areas and have the opportunity to take beautiful pictures of the changing leaves while enjoying the great outdoors.
 
Take a drive up to Conneaut Creek State Wild and Scenic River and witness a diversity of wildlife. The stream corridor is home to 78 fish species and 32 species of amphibians and reptiles. The heavily wooded watershed harbors more than 30 unique plants and plant communities, many of which are listed as threatened or endangered. Conneaut Creek is an excellent location to try fly-fishing and catch steelhead trout, which typically average 25 inches long.
 
Travel to nearby Grand River State Wild and Scenic River after fishing and rent a kayak or canoe to paddle down this natural stream. Keep an eye out for river otters that populate this area. Fall color can be seen in the extensive swamp forests of elm, ash, maple, pine, pin oak and swamp white oak that border the Grand River.
 
After paddling, head to Headlands Beach State Park to do some relaxing beachcombing on this mile-long natural sand beach, the largest in the state. The Park also has many plant species typically found only along the Atlantic Coast. The federal breakwall at the east end of the park offers wonderful opportunities for fishing. Some common species at Headlands Beach are smallmouth, largemouth and rock bass, yellow perch, bluegill, walleye, coho salmon and carp.
 
Also at the east end of the park is Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. This preserve is one of the last of the Lake Erie beach and dune communities in the state. Many plant species not found in northeast Ohio grow here, including sand-dropseed, Canada wild-rye, wafer-ash and wild bean. It is a great place to observe migrating birds and monarch butterflies.
 
To view wildlife, travel to the Grand River Wildlife Area. It is one of the largest semi-wilderness areas in northeast Ohio containing twelve ponds, numerous beaver impoundments, and fifteen man-made marshes. Beaver, pheasants, woodcock, ruffed grouse, turkey, deer, squirrels and rabbits are abundant here and the number of river otters has increased dramatically. October 11 marks the beginning of wild turkey, ruffed grouse and woodcock seasons. All can be hunted at Grand River Wildlife Area.
 
Not far from this wildlife area is Mosquito Creek Lake Wildlife Area, which offers the chance to view unusual and rare birds such as bald and golden eagles, white pelicans, glossy ibises, king rails, ospreys, goshawks, long-eared owls and African cattle egrets. Controlled waterfowl hunting and deer hunting are provided on the area by permit. Mosquito Creek Reservoir has a diverse game fish population for outstanding fishing opportunities. Largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, bluegills, bullheads, crappies, channel catfish, and white bass can be caught with walleye, bass and crappies being the predominant species.
 
Just east of Mosquito Creek Lake Wildlife Area is Shenango Wildlife Area. This area is great for hunting waterfowl, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, grouse, deer, woodcock and pheasant. Trapping for muskrat and other furbearers, particularly beaver and raccoon, are also very popular. Pymatuning Creek offers fishing for white crappies, bullhead, carp, suckers, sunfish and largemouth bass.
 
For those who enjoy the rugged outdoors, visit Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve. This preserve has no trails, but has a narrow sandstone gorge with waterfalls as well as large beech, maple, oak and hemlock trees that are great for fall color viewing.
 
To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best Fall Color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find Fall Color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com and at www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.
 
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 131 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:
 
REGION                                                                                             CONDITION 10/8/08
 

CENTRAL

Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County)                                            Changing

Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County)                                           Changing

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County)                    Changing

Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County)                                             Near Peak

 
NORTHEAST

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Cuyahoga, Summit counties)             Changing

Punderson State Park (Geauga County)                                                 Changing

Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County)                         Changing

Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County)                                          Changing

Kent Bog State Nature Preserve (Portage County)                                 Changing

Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve (Portage County)                  Changing

Quail Hollow State Park (Stark County)                                                Changing

 
EAST

Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County)                                    Changing

Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County)                                                Near Peak

Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County)                Changing

Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County)                                     Changing

Dillon State Park (Muskingum County)                                                 Near Peak

         
SOUTHEAST

Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County)                                                 Near Peak

Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County)                Changing

Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County)                                                  Near Peak

Tar HollowState Park (Ross County)                                                    Changing

Lake Alma State Park (Vinton, Jackson counties)                                 Changing

Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County)                                                    Changing

 
SOUTHWEST

Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County)                          Changing

Hueston Woods State Park and Nature Preserve (Preble County)        Near Peak

Paint Creek State Park (Ross County)                                                  Changing

Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County)  Changing


WEST

Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County)                                       Changing

Sycamore State Park (Montgomery County)                                      Near Peak

J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Changing

Indian Lake State Park (Logan County)                                             Changing

Buck Creek State Park (Clark County)                                               Changing


 
NORTHWEST

Van Buren State Park (Hancock County)                                           Changing

Maumee State Forest (Fulton County)                                                Changing

Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County)                                         Changing

 
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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