Enjoy a Spooktacular Good Time This Weekend and the Peak Colors of Autumn

ODNR Fall Foliage Update #5 – October 20

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 long lasting memories.

“For many people, the beautiful foliage is just one part of the autumn experience,” said Casey Burdick, 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.

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

Halloween Campout, East Fork (SW) - Oct. 22-23. Games, contests, hayrides & trick or treat. (513) 734-4323.

Halloween Campout, Lake Alma (SE) - Oct. 22-23. Campsite decorating & trick or treat.  (740) 384-4474.

Halloween Campout #2, Mohican (NE) - Oct. 22-24. Pet & campsite decorating contests, trick or treat, nature programs & crafts for campers & cottage guests. (419) 994-4290.

“Hollow”een Fest, Quail Hollow (NE) - Oct. 23, 4-8 PM. Haunted Manor House tours, hayrides & a bonfire. A fee is charged for the haunted house. (330) 877-6652.

Halloween Party, Sycamore (SW) - Oct. 23. Games & seasonal activities. (937) 854-4452.

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	Peak
Blackhand Gorge Nature Preserve	Central	Peak
Dillon/Blue Rock State Parks	East	Peak
Buck Creek State Park	West	Peak
Burr Oak State Park	Southeast	Peak
Caesar Creek State Park	Southwest	Peak
Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve	West	Fading
Deer Creek State Park	Central	Peak
Harrison Lake State Park/Forest	Northwest	Peak
Hocking Hills State Park/Forest	Southeast	Peak
Hueston Woods State Park	Southwest	Peak
Indian Lake State Park	West	Peak
John Bryan State Park	West	Peak
Kent Bog Nature Preserve	Northeast	Fading
Kiser Lake State Park	West	Peak
Lake Hope State Park	Southeast	Peak
Malabar Farm State Park	Northeast	Fading
Maumee State Park/Forest	Northwest	Peak
Mohican State Park/Forest	Northeast	Fading
Mt. Gilead State Park	Central	Peak
Pike Lake/Paint Creek State Parks	Southwest	Near Peak
Punderson State Park	Northeast	Fading
Quail Hollow/Wingfoot State Parks	Northeast	Peak
Salt Fork State Park	East	Fading
Shawnee State Park	Southwest	Peak
Sycamore State Park	West	Peak
Tar Hollow State Park/Forest	Southeast	Fading
Triangle Lake Bog	Northeast	Fading
Van Buren State Park	Northwest	Fading
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: This is the fifth 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