Brilliant Fall Colors Are The Perfect Backdrop For A Hike This Weekend

ODNR Fall Foliage Update #4 – October 13

COLUMBUS, OH – Dynamic blazes of orange, yellow, red and rust will provide the perfect backdrop for hikers who are ready to reconnect with the natural world this weekend. ODNR is reporting near peak and peak fall foliage in most parts of the state.

“There are many organized hikes planned at Ohio state parks and nature preserves this weekend that will provide Ohioans and visitors to the Buckeye State an amazing perspective of some of the state’s most spectacular natural terrain,” said Casey Burdick, fall foliage expert for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. “State parks like Lake Hope and preserves like Clifton Gorge are stunning on a normal day, but when these places are draped with beautiful fall color, the experience is breathtaking.

In addition, the brilliance of fall color will add to the excitement of games of disc golf and golf, which can be played on beautiful, award-winning courses at several state parks. Anglers and boaters can also get priceless perspectives of amazing fall foliage as it reflects in the rippling water along miles of shoreline and waterways. And the Division of Wildlife is currently in the middle of their annual fall trout stocking so go to www.wildohio.com to find the nearest pond or lake in your area.

One of the best parts of the state this weekend will be up in northeastern Ohio where there is lots to do and see.

“Visitors to Lake County on the east side of Lake Erie can enjoy exceptional fall foliage, the largest winery district in the Grand River Valley and waterfront dining,” said Bob Ulas, Executive Director of the Lake County Visitors Bureau.  “Although Lake County is Ohio’s smallest county, it offers two seasons, thus a longer viewing period of fall foliage.  Due to Lake County’s proximity to Lake Erie’s warmer waters, colors peak later while one mile inland, colors peak earlier.  For more info, visit www.lakevisit.com.”

This coming weekend, check out one of the following events at one of your Ohio State Parks or local partners…

Halloween Campout, Rocky Fork (SW) - Oct. 15-16. Campsite decorating and costume contests, movies , silent auction, games and a haunted trail.  (937) 393-4284.

Halloween Campout, Forked Run (SE) - Oct. 16. Campsite decorating contest, games, trick or treat, & spooky hayrides. (740) 767-3570.

31st Annual Fall Hike, Lake Hope State Park (SE) - Oct. 16. 10 AM. Meet at the beach shelter house for a 3-mile hike. Sassafras tea, bean & cornbread lunch offered. For more information call (740) 596-3030.

Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike, Hocking Hills (SE) - Oct. 16, 1 PM at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. 6-mile strenuous hike. (740) 385-6841.

Fall Hike, Shawnee (SW) - Oct. 16, 9 AM. 5-mile hike with refreshments available at the half-way point. Evening entertainment and a bean dinner are also offered. (740) 858-6652.

Howl-o-Ween Dog Walk & Costume Parade, Mosquito Lake (NE) - Oct. 17, 2-4 PM at the Dog Park. Food, vendors & contests for people and pets. (330) 637-2856.

Forest Heritage Festival, Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds (NE) - Oct. 15-16.  Entertainment, food, games, craft booths, old-time fiddling, and lumberjack show.  Admission and parking are free.  (330) 339-3991.

To find out more about these and other events, visit www.ohiodnr.com. The site will serve as a premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season. Its pages provide information for travelers who want to map a scenic road trip, adventurers who are refreshed and energized by the cool autumn weather, vacationers who seek places of solace to enjoy the changing seasons and even the students who need a resource for leaf collection projects. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

Ohio's 74 state parks, 21 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:

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

-30-

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth release in a 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 each Wednesday. News releases will be issued weekly by ODNR on Wednesday mornings to announce the reports, now through early November. Also online see fall foliage video reports with information from ODNR’s fall color specialist, Casey Burdick.

For further information, contact:
Casey Burdick, ODNR Division of Forestry
614. 212. 3286
Jason Fallon, ODNR External Affairs
614. 265. 6842