The 6 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Ohio
Hocking Hills State Park
Located in Hocking County, Hocking Hills State Park is a beautiful way to take in the fall scenery. The park contains over 25 miles of hiking trails, allowing for endless hours spent walking under beautiful canopies covered in colors. Even more, the park has rock formations, deep caves, and waterfalls that only add to the experience. The entire park is around 2,300 acres and butts up to the Hocking State Forest, making for a pristine and massive place to view the best colors around.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a great option for anyone who wants something close to Cleveland but feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. This park is one of the best places to view the leaves and isn’t usually crowded, despite its proximity to the city. There are multiple hikes, waterfalls, and trees to make you feel like you are somewhere special. There’s even a viewing platform in the park that offers some of the best views of the changing leaves. If you are really feeling up for it, a trip on the scenic railroad is a great way to take in the foliage from comfort.
Berea Falls
If you live in Cleveland, Berea Falls may be the best place in the city to see the colors. Located in the western portion of the city (technically in Berea), Berea Falls is a two-tiered waterfall found in the Rocky River Reservation. With a beautiful bridge overlooking the water and pathways winding through the park, this is a perfect urban environment to see the best that the fall leaves have to offer. After seeing the waterfall, take a walk down Valley Parkway and enjoy views of Baldwin Lake, Wallace Lake, and more. Weather permitting, take a basket and plan for a picnic at one of the many picnic sites in the park.
Covered Bridge Scenic Byway
The Covered Bridge Scenic Byway is especially cool since it’s not just a single location, but a collection of them. This drivable byway gets its name from the multiple covered bridges that can be found along its length. If there is one thing that covered bridges are good for, it’s creating immaculate fall vibes when the leaves are changing colors. You can drive the byway starting on State Route 26 in Marietta to Woodsfield. Most of the length of the road is along the Little Muskingum River, making the entire thing a beautiful way to experience the fall foliage from the comfort of your car.
Mill Creek Park
For anyone living in Youngstown, you probably already know about Mill Creek Park! The park is 3,000 acres big and has a ton to do, especially in the fall. Within the park are running and biking trails, golf courses, and historic buildings to see. The park gets its name from the plethora of old mill buildings found in the park, especially Lanterman’s Mill and the nearby bridge. One of the best options for anyone traveling to the area is a visit to the Riverside Botanical Gardens. The gardens change with each season, meaning that a visit in fall is going to reflect the season perfectly.
Lake Erie Shoreline
You can’t really talk about fall colors in Ohio without talking about Lake Erie. Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes and is the largest water feature in the area. Cleveland is located along the southwestern shores of the lake, but there is a ton of shoreline that isn’t as developed. A simple drive along the shore is a beautiful way to enjoy the water and the trees in full fall foliage. The Ashtabula Lighthouse and Lake Shore Park are great places to end the trip (if you’re driving from Cleveland). Lake Erie itself is always beautiful, but the changing leaves really add an element of beauty that is only seen this time of year.
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