Ohio is entering the prime season for fall foliage, with vibrant colors spreading across the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The burst of fall hues is painting the landscape with near-peak and peak conditions in many areas, making it the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the season.
“We are finally getting to see the full array of fall colors on display throughout Ohio,” said ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott. “This is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the fireworks of fall color. Some of the best tree species showing color right now include walnuts, sweetgum, and dogwoods.”
In addition to the colorful display, this week marks Earth Science Week, offering a great opportunity not only to view the changing leaves but also to explore Ohio’s rich fossil history. While the state’s rocks don’t contain dinosaur fossils, they do hold a variety of ancient marine and terrestrial fossils that date back hundreds of millions of years. Notably, Caesar Creek State Park in Southwest Ohio is a renowned spot for fossil hunting, where rocks deposited around 450 million years ago reveal well-preserved fossils of invertebrate sea creatures like brachiopods, corals, and crinoids. The park is also home to Ohio’s official state invertebrate fossil, the trilobite Isotelus.
For those looking to enjoy autumn’s beauty firsthand, several events are planned for this weekend, including a Fall Colors Hike at Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve, the Un-haunted Forest at Shawnee State Park, and the 45th Annual Fall Hike at Lake Hope State Park.
To help plan fall adventures, ODNR’s fall color website provides weekly updates on foliage conditions, information on unique lodging options at state parks, and details about events across Ohio. Visitors can also participate in the Ohio Fall Color Challenge through the OuterSpatial app.
ODNR invites nature enthusiasts to share their fall photos on social media using the hashtags #OhioFall24, #OhioThe vHeartofitAll, and #FallinOhio. The department will feature selected photos each week on its social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow along for more updates at @OhioDNR, @OHStateParks, @odnrforestry, and @Ohio TheHeartofitAll.
As the colors reach their peak, now is the time to head outdoors and experience the stunning display that makes Ohio a favorite destination for fall foliage.