Autumn is officially here! That means football, cooler weather, holidays, and… leaf peeping?!? Yes. Leaf peeping! …and the fall colors in Ohio are top notch!
Did you know that Ohio is a great place to see fall colors? Check out these 6 awesome places around the state to do some leaf peeping! #FallColors #LeafPeeping #FindYourPark Click To TweetWhat is leaf peeping?
Leaf peeping is when you travel for the purpose of taking in the beautiful fall colors! The oranges, yellows, and deep reds create a mosaic of wonder when you look across the beautiful landscapes! Taking time to go on a scenic hike or drive enables you to enjoy the wonder of the natural cycle that nature undergoes as the days grow shorter, and the temperatures cool.
Where can I see fall colors in Ohio?
Ohio has a variety of places to fully enjoy the beauty of autumn. Below, we outline 6 of our favorite spots along with some of our recommendations for what to do when you visit.
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There are several places to welcome fall around Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For starters, this park is set in an urban area with several features including historical towns, wildlife areas, waterfalls, covered bridges and more! After several trips, we still have a lot of the park left to explore.
Below, we share a few ideas for how to spend your time in the park:
- take a fall bike ride along a section of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail which runs the length of the park (approximately 20 miles)
- jump aboard the the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which offers special fall excursions during October
- take a walk along one of the parks numerous trails! We like the parks selection of easy to moderate hikes and highly recommend the Beaver Marsh, Brandywine Falls, and the Ledges.
- When you’re in the area, make sure to check out the Szalay’s Farmers Market. This spot is great for grabbing a bite to eat and conversing with other park visitors. It is conveniently located by a Park Visitor Center right along the Towpath Trail too.
2. Shawnee State Park
Southern Ohio is an understated magnet for beautiful scenery, and Shawnee State Park wraps the most beautiful parts of being located along the Ohio River in one beautiful package.
When you enjoy leaf peeping in the Portsmouth area, here are a few things that we recommend:
- Enjoy the beautiful trails – there are not only several shorter trails but also a 40-mile loop trail for backpackers.
- Take in the fall colors while fishing one of the Parks two lakes. You will need to obtain an Ohio fishing license to enjoy this attraction (you can purchase an Ohio fishing license online at this link).
- When you are in the Portsmouth area, you should also take the time to visit the murals painted along the Ohio River flood wall. These beautiful paintings capture some of the scenes from Ohio history and make for a nice stroll adjacent to the historical Portsmouth downtown.
- Grab a bite to eat at the Scioto Ribber, a great place to get some good ribs in Portsmouth.
3. Hocking Hills State Park
You can visit Hocking Hills for great hikes at any time of the year. The fall, however, is GORGEOUS. Opportunities for leaf peeping are literally everywhere!
Besides the super-popular Old Man’s Cave (which is well-worth a visit, but is sometimes pretty crowded), a few suggestions for your Hocking Hills visit are as follows:
- Ash Cave: This is my personal favorite place at Hocking Hills. It is the largest recess cave east of the Mississippi River, and feels like a private paradise. There is an easy boardwalk hike that takes you from the parking area to the cave with a tranquil runoff waterfall. There is also an easy-moderate (and beautifully wooded) hike along the rim above the cave.
- Conkles Hollow Rim: If you want more of an adventure (and are not afraid of heights), you will enjoy this moderate hike. A couple of years ago, my uncle and I ventured up along the rim, and I must admit that there were a few places where I was frightened as I found myself only a step or two away from the edge of a life-ending fall. But fears aside, the views of the landscape above the trees was unforgettable! This is a great place to see the fall colors for the careful / more experienced hiker.
- Rock House: A moderate hike through the woods or through some rock scrambles will land you inside of Rock House, a corridor of cave formation. This is a beautiful place that is more private than Old Man’s Cave, but can be a little scary for those afraid of heights. You can enjoy leaf peeping in this wooded area though whether you choose to enter the Rock House or not!
4. Yellow Springs, Ohio
Yellow Springs, Ohio has a chill vibe, and is perfect for taking a stroll and enjoying nature! In addition to potential celebrity sightings, you will not be able to visit Yellow Springs without taking in a breath of welcoming fresh air.
A couple of places you might want to check out when you are in the area:
- John Bryan State Park: enjoy a hike or a bike ride in this gorgeous park!
- Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument: A newer addition to the National Park system, this site preserves the home and story of Colonel Charles Young. The site also pays tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers, some of the first African-American troops after the Civil War. When you visit, you will learn about the life of Charles Young, and the role that he and other Buffalo Soldiers played in U.S. westward expansion after the Civil War. You will also learn about the critical role that these individuals filled in the development of the National Parks in the west. Colonel Young served as a Professor at the nearby Wilberforce University. Schedule a tour, get stamp cramp, and enjoy the beautiful drive between Yellow Springs and Xenia.
5. Millersburg, Ohio (Amish Country)
If you’re looking for a low-key place to explore small town living while enjoying the fall colors in Ohio, plan to take a trip to Amish Country. The roads around the area will make for a gorgeous afternoon of scenic driving. There are also a lot of neat shops to explore and high-quality goods that will satisfy the window shoppers tastes.
Below are a couple of places that we LOVE in Amish Country:
- take a tour of the Yoder’s Amish Home which includes a guided house tour, barn visit (loved the animals!), and homemade treats and crafts for purchase. One thing that I loved was watching the process of making homemade apple butter (the smell was amazing!).
- visit the Guggisburg Cheese store to sample some of the most delicious cheese, meats and spreads on the market! You could easily spend several hours sampling cheeses, so make sure to save some time for leaf peeping 🙂
6. Wayne National Forest
One of my favorite fall drives is along State Route 33 between Columbus and Athens. This drive will make you fall in love with the fall colors in Ohio!
A couple of recommendations on this drive:
- Take your time and enjoy the road. You will see signage that will lead you to the National Forest as you approach Nelsonville.
- Stop at Ohio University. The area around the campus is gorgeous, and you will be able to get some food at one of the area restaurants.
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