Ohio is ridiculously pretty in the fall, and I don’t think we appreciate it enough.
And I get it. Life gets busy and stressful, and sometimes it’s hard to stop and take it all in. But there’s no better time than right freaking now to slow down, get out of the house, and enjoy what Ohio has to offer. Fall doesn’t last forever, so we’ve gotta make the most of it while we can.
If you’re looking for somewhere to take in the fall colors, here are some of the most beautiful spots around the state. And if you’re trying to figure out when to go, check out our guide to when the leaves will change in Columbus.
Color moves north to south. ODNR’s foresters expect the far north of the state to peak around mid-October and central Ohio in mid-to-late October, with southern Ohio following at the end of October into early November. The state posts a weekly fall color map through the season.
| Place | Where | Go for |
| Hocking Hills State Park | Logan | Gorges and waterfalls under the hemlocks |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Peninsula | The Ledges and the scenic railroad |
| Mohican State Park | Loudonville | Clear Fork Gorge and the covered bridge |
| Amish Country | Holmes County | Farm country back roads |
| Yellow Springs | Greene County | Glen Helen and John Bryan trails |
| Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park | Garrettsville | Sandstone ledges and rock passages |
| Lake Erie Bluffs | Perry Township | Lakefront bluffs and the observation tower |
| Shawnee State Park and Forest | West Portsmouth | The Little Smokies and Ohio’s first fire tower |
Address: 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138
Hocking Hills is one of those places that makes you wonder why you don’t get down to southeastern Ohio more often. The cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and forest trails are beautiful year-round, but fall adds another reason to visit, with all those trees changing color around the rock formations. Spend the day hiking, or take a slower route through the area with a few stops along the way. If you’d rather admire the leaves from your car, check out our guide to scenic drives for fall colors.
More info: Hocking Hills State Park
Planning a trip? Start here:
Address: Boston Mill Visitor Center, 6947 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264
Ohio has a national park, and fall is a pretty good time to remind yourself it’s there. Cuyahoga Valley sits between Akron and Cleveland, with forested trails, river views, and plenty of spots to catch the leaves changing. You can walk or bike along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, or skip the workout and take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Either way, it’s a solid excuse to spend a day exploring a different part of the state.
More info: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Address: 3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842
Mohican State Park is a good pick if your ideal fall day involves trees, water, and a trail that gets you away from your usual routine. The forest puts on a colorful show in autumn, and the park’s covered bridge is worth a stop, too. It went up in 1968 with hardwood cut from the state forest. You can hike to overlooks, follow the river, or get out on the water for a different view of the surrounding woods. Start planning with our guide to the best things to do at Mohican State Park.
More info: Mohican State Park
READ MORE: The Best Things To Do At Mohican State Park
Located in Holmes County, Ohio’s Amish Country is a great place to take the long way through the state this fall. The roads wind past rolling hills, farms, and covered bridges, with plenty of opportunities to pull over for a bakery stop or a little shopping. You don’t need a packed itinerary here. Pick a few country roads, leave yourself time to wander, and make a stop at the Guggisberg Cheese Factory on State Route 557 in Millersburg if you’re in the mood for cheese and souvenirs. For more ideas, check out our guide to Ohio’s Amish Country.
More info: Ohio’s Amish Country
Address: No specific address, explore the country roads of Holmes County
READ MORE: The Best Things To Do In Ohio’s Amish Country
Address: Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Yellow Springs makes a good fall day trip when you want a mix of colorful trails and somewhere to grab lunch afterward. Start downtown, where you can browse local shops and galleries, then head out to Glen Helen Nature Preserve for a walk through the woods. Parking there is $10 unless you’re a member. John Bryan State Park is nearby, too, with forest trails and limestone gorges along the Little Miami River. Check the calendar before you go, since the area also hosts fall festivals and other seasonal events. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Yellow Springs if you want to make a day of it.
READ MORE: The Best Things To Do In Yellow Springs
Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is a little different from the wide-open overlooks and winding forest trails you’ll find elsewhere on this list. The park is known for its sandstone cliffs, narrow passageways, and unusual rock formations, with trees adding plenty of fall color around them. The trails can be rocky and challenging in places, so wear shoes you can actually hike in. Take your time exploring, and don’t forget to look up. The rock formations and colorful canopy make this one of the more distinctive places to see fall in Ohio.
More info: Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park
Address: 2901 Clark Road, Perry, OH 44081
Fall foliage doesn’t have to mean a hike through the woods. At Lake Erie Bluffs, a Lake Metroparks park in Perry Township, you can look out over Lake Erie with colorful trees framing the shoreline. Follow the trails for a closer look at the landscape, or climb the park’s 50-foot observation tower for a view of the lake and surrounding forest from above. It’s a good place to go when you want a little fresh air and a reminder that Ohio has more than its fair share of beautiful waterfront views.
More info: Lake Erie Bluffs
READ MORE: The 9 Most Charming Beach Towns In Ohio
Address: 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663
Down in southern Ohio, Shawnee State Park and Shawnee State Forest offer a different kind of fall scenery, with forested hills stretching across a part of the state that feels a long way from Columbus. The park has views of the Ohio River, along with places to hike, fish, boat, or settle in for a picnic. Head into the state forest for more trails and a chance to see the hills covered in autumn color. The Copperhead Fire Tower is in there too, Ohio’s first, and you can climb it at your own risk. If you want to make a full trip out of it, here’s our guide to things to do at Shawnee State Park.
More info: Shawnee State Park
READ MORE: The 11 Best Things To Do At Shawnee State Park
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