Near Peak Foliage Conditions are Starting to Spread Throughout Ohio
OutdoorHub 10.10.12
Ohio is seeing a significant increase in true fall color across the state, according to Fall Color Forester Casey Burdick with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“The northern two-thirds of the state are seeing near peak to peak conditions while southern Ohio is starting to see some good fall color,” said Burdick. “Maples are starting to see some great color, including an array of yellows, oranges and reds.”
All Ohioans are encouraged to get outside to take advantage of the beauty of this season. 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. For people interested in hunting, the fall turkey season also opens this Saturday, Oct. 13 and continues through Nov. 25. Go to wildohio.com for more information.
There are several fun autumn events happening this weekend, along with numerous Halloween campouts at our Ohio State Parks:
Haunted Trail, Lake Milton (NE) – Oct. 12-13, 7-10:30 p.m. Spooky scenes along the accessible paved trail, located at 1979 Grandview Road. Call 330-654-4989 for more information.
“Ceely” Historical Drama, Malabar Farm (NE) – Oct. 12-14. Friday play package includes a wagon ride (5-6 p.m.) and theatrical production of the 1896 murders of the Rose family (7 p.m.) for $24 per person. BBQ Dinner and Play packages offered on Saturday and Sunday include a wagon ride (4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday; 12-1:30 p.m. on Sunday); BBQ dinner (6 p.m. on Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday); and play (7 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. on Sunday). Dinner and play tickets are $36 per person. Call 419-522-2726 for more information.
Autumn Lighthouse Festival, Marblehead Lighthouse (NW) – Oct. 13. This annual community festival features an arts and crafts fair at the park and attractions in nearby Lakeside as well as family activities, entertainment, food and special offers at shops and restaurants. Lighthouse tours offered from 11 a.m.-3:45 p.m., and the Keeper’s House is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 419-734-4424, ext. 2 or visit lake-erie.com.
Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike, Hocking Hills (SE) – Oct. 13, 1 p.m. at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. Go on a six-mile strenuous hike—one of the best views and fall outings of the season! Call 740-385-6841 for more information.
Fall Breakfast and Fall Fest Dance, Stonelick (SW) – Festivities occur on Oct. 13 at the campground shelterhouse. Fuel up with a great breakfast and then dance into the night with friends. For more information, visit friendsofstonelick.org or 513-734-4323.
The ODNR Fall Color website at fallcolor.ohiodnr.com is the premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season, posting weekly color updates and information to help plan leaf-peeping adventures. Weekly videos from Fall Color Forester Casey Burdick will highlight color hot spots around the state and provide information about some of Ohio’s 100-plus tree species. This page also offers helpful links for leaf collecting tips, scenic road trips and more.
Looking for some great fall getaway ideas? The Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism has numerous itinerary ideas at discoverohio.com under their Autumn Adventures feature.
Ohio’s 75 state parks, 21 state forests and 135 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. To learn more about going on a fall getaway, visit ohiodnr.com/parks.
