COLUMBUS – Ohio’s woodlands will soon turn vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange, as Mother Nature puts on her annual color display that signals the state’s change of seasons.
For Ohioans and out-of-state visitors who want to savor this year’s foliage at its peak, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommends these fall color events at state parks, forests and nature preserves.
NORTHEAST
25th Ohio Heritage Days (Malabar Farm State Park, Richland County), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22-23. Enjoy 70 traditional crafters, vintage farm machinery and draft horse contests. Saturday barn dance. Call 419-892-2784 for information.
Autumn Walks (Quail Hollow State Park, Stark County) 10 a.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20. Call 330-877-6652 for information.
Autumn ‘Fen’ Foray (Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve, Stark County) 11 a.m. Oct. 6. Explore life in a “sweet bog” and discover secrets from the Ice Age. Call 330-527-5118 for information.
23rd Pioneer Craft Days (Beaver Creek State Park, Columbiana County) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 6-7. Pioneer skills demonstrated by crafters and artisans in the quaint village of Gaston’s Mill.
Hay Rides and Harvest Moonlight Tours (Malabar Farm State Park, Richland County) noon-8 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Enjoy fall color, crisp air and hot cider for $3 per person per 30-minute ride. Evening “harvest time” house tours offered at regular tour fee. Call 419-892-2784 for information.
Fall Walk (Malabar Farm State Park, Richland County) 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 13. Two-mile walk through woods and fields. Call 419-892-2784 for information.
Canal Walk (Beaver Creek State Park, Columbiana County) 1-3 p.m. Oct. 14. Enjoy a leisurely fall walk from Gaston’s Mill along the Sandy and Beaver Canal. Call 330-385-3091 for information.
Fall Color Walk (Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve, Portage County) 11 a.m. Oct. 20. The forest will be ablaze with autumn colors for this hike along Clubmoss Trail. Call 330-527-5118 for information.
Tamaracks Ablaze (Kent Bog State Nature Preserve, Portage County) 2 p.m. Nov. 3. See the deciduous conifers disrobing as winter comes calling. Call 330-527-5118 for information.
SOUTHEAST
Pioneer Days (Scioto Trail State Park, Ross County) Sept. 28-29. Sample old-fashioned food, crafts and games. Enjoy demonstrations and displays of corn husk dolls, wooden toys, apple cider and apple butter making. Regular camping fees apply. Call 740- 663-2125 for information.
Fall Foliage Event (Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve, Hocking County) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20-21. Spectacular views of some of Ohio’s most beautiful natural scenery. Call 614-653-2541 for information.
Annual Fall Hike (Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County) 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at the shelter house. Three-mile guided hike along the lakeshore; sassafras tea, bean soup and cornbread at the end. Shuttles provided. Call 740-596-5253 for information.
Fall Hike and Campout (Shawnee State Park, Scioto County) Oct. 20. Five-mile hike through Shawnee State Forest along with a bean dinner and entertainment at the campground. Regular camping fees apply. Call 740-858-6652 for information.
Tree Hike (Lake Katharine, Jackson County) 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Discover the oldest and largest living things at Lake Katharine. Call 740-286-2487 for information.
ROAR Day (Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 27 at the dining lodge and nature center. Celebrate rural Ohio Appalachia Revisited through crafts, music and food. Call 740-596-5253 for information.
SOUTHWEST
OctoberFest (Rocky Fork State Park, Highland County) Oct. 5-7. Movies, hayrides, pork tenderloin sandwiches and entertainment amidst fall foliage. Regular camping fees apply. Call 937-393-4284 for information.
Farewell To Daylight Savings Time (Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Greene County) 2 p.m. Oct. 28. Call 937-767-7947 for information.
Fall Trail Hike (Sycamore State Park, Montgomery County) 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at the shelter house off Providence Road. Three-mile or eight-mile hikes along moderate trails following Wolf Creek. Call 937-854-4452.
NORTHWEST
Feather & Foliage Festival (Kelleys Island, Ottawa County) 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 29. Guided bird and tree identification walks on park trails. Call 419-746-2258 for information.
Autumn Lighthouse Festival (Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, Ottawa County) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13. Tour the lighthouse from 10 to 3 and view the Erie Islands in all their fall finery from the observation deck. Demonstrations, entertainment, crafts and food in the Keeper’s House. Call 419-797-4530.
CENTRAL OHIO
Fall Festival and Campout (Delaware State Park, Delaware County) Sept. 28-29. Nature hikes, movies, more. Regular camping fees apply. Call 740-369-2761 for information.
Fall Festival (Indian Lake State Park, Logan County) Sept. 28-30 at the campground. Free wagon rides from the parking lot. Games, crafts, cooking, demonstrations and more. Call 937-843-2717.
Apple Butter Festival (Mt. Gilead State Park, Morrow County) Oct. 5-6. Hayrides, hikes, homemade apple butter, ham and bean soup. Regular camping fees apply. Call 419- 946-1961 for information.
Call for more. Individuals may call 1-800-BUCKEYE for an update on how fall color is progressing across the state. The fall color report is also available through the Internet at: www.dnr.state.oh.us. The report will be updated each Thursday, beginning Sept. 27 and continuing through the end of October.
