ODNR Offers Eye-Catching Autumn Leaf Color by Day, Halloween Fun by Night
ODNR Fall Foliage Update #5 – October 21
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. |