EDITORS NOTE: This is the second in a series of fall color updates highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's fall foliage. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Thursday through the end of October.
COLUMBUS, OH -- Traditional oranges, golds and reds are starting to appear in noticeable amounts in fields and woodlands throughout the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Opportunities for viewing great Fall Color already exist in pockets around the state, said Bill Schultz, spokesman for the ODNR Division of Forestry. While most of our field reports are showing fair conditions, several locations in northern Ohio are now offering near peak conditions.
Two reporting stations in northeast Ohio, Findley State Park in Lorain County and Mohican-Memorial State Forest in Ashland County, indicate "near peak" conditions, meaning 30 to 60 percent of trees are starting to turn colors.
Only Indian Lake State Park in Logan County and Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve in Licking County continue to report woodlands as "green."
This weekend, special seasonal campouts are slated for Pike Lake State Park in Pike County, Houston Woods State Park in Preble County and Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County. Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County will host its annual Apple Butter Festival and Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County will be the scene of the annual Scouting Outing.
Pioneer Craft Days will come to Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County. The popular Paul Bunyan Show is set for Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville (near Hocking Hills State Park) and the Prairie Peddler and street fair are scheduled for Loudonville (near Mohican State Park and state forest).
The day to day autumn color changes across Ohio and other seasonal information - as well as updates on activities and events - can be viewed on the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us
To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are also available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Ohio's 73 state parks, 20 state forests and 123 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:
CENTRAL
Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Fair
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Fair
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Green
NORTHEAST
Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Fair
Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Near Peak
Findley State Park (Lorain County) Near Peak
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Fair
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) Fair
EAST
Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Fair
Fernwood State Forest (Jefferson County) Fair
Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Harrison State Forest (Harrison County) Fair
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Fair
SOUTHEAST
Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Fair
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Fair
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Fair
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Fair
Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross County) Fair
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Fair
SOUTHWEST
Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Fair
Hueston Woods State Park and State Nature Preserve (Preble County) Fair
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Fair
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Fair
Little Miami State Park (Warren County) Fair
WEST
Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County) Fair
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Fair
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Green
NORTHWEST
Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Fair
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Fair
Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Fair
COLOR CONDITION KEY: GREEN - Still mostly green. FAIR - Beginning to turn colors. NEAR PEAK - Mostly colored. PEAK - Peak colors. FADING - Mostly colored, but fading from peak conditions. LEAF DROP - Few leaves on trees. Note that reported conditions are subject to rapid change with wind or rain.