ODNR Reports Onset of Foliage Change during First Week of Fall

COLUMBUS, OH – The highlights of color that are beginning to speckle the canopies of Ohio's woodlands, along with the cooler temperatures, are signs that autumn is beginning to take hold.

“In many parts of Ohio, we are seeing the first signs of leaf change to yellow and orange,” said Casey Munchel, fall foliage expert for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. “The color change in northern Ohio has been slowed in some areas by a slight drought this summer, but peak color is not long off.”

Leaf peepers can expect to find peak fall color during the second and third weeks of October throughout Ohio.

Ohioans and out of state visitors who are waiting for peak fall color are encouraged to head outside and enjoy the crisp fall days leading up to it. Ohio state parks and nature preserves are offering many family-friendly activities that all can enjoy. Special events and campouts are planned at the following locations this weekend:

Alum Creek State Park, Delaware County; Beaver Creek State Park, Columbiana County; Blue Rock State Park, Muskingum County; Buck Creek State Park, Clark County; Caesar Creek State Park; Warren/Clinton Counties; East Harbor State Park, Ottawa County; Findley State Park, Lorain County; Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, Auglaize/Mercer Counties; Hueston Woods State Park, Preble/Butler Counties; Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve, Hardin County; Malabar Farm State Park, Richland County; Mohican State Park, Ashland County; Mt. Gilead State Park, Morrow County; Pike Lake State Park, Pike County; Portage Lakes State Park, Summit County and Shawnee State Park, Scioto County.

In addition to the organized events, Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide myriad fall foliage viewing opportunities. The burst of color at the onset of the season provides a perfect backdrop for hikers, bikers or horseback riders who make their way across the hundreds of miles of publicly accessible trails. The brilliance of fall color will add to the excitement of games of disc golf and golf, which can be played on beautiful, award-winning courses at several state parks. Anglers and boaters can also get priceless perspectives of amazing fall foliage as it reflects in the rippling water along miles of shoreline and waterways.

For more about fall events, activities and fall color viewing opportunities, visit www.ohiodnr.com. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

ODNR sites around the state have reported the status of fall color. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:

Location	Region	Color Condition
A.W. Marion State Park	Central	Changing
Alum Creek State Park	Central	Changing
Beaver Creek/Guilford Lake State Parks	East	Changing
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve	Central	Changing
Buckeye Lake State Park	Central	Changing
Dillon/Blue Rock State Parks	East	Changing
Buck Creek State Park	West	Changing
Burr Oak State Park	Southeast	Changing
Caesar Creek State Park	Southwest	Changing
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve	West	Changing
Deer Creek State Park	Central	Changing
Harrison Lake State Park	Northwest	Changing
Hocking Hills State Park	Southeast	Changing
Hueston Woods State Park	Southwest	Changing
Indian Lake State Park	West	Changing
John Bryan State Park	West	Changing
Kent Bog State Nature Preserve	Northeast	Near Peak
Kiser Lake State Park	West	Changing
Lake Hope State Park	Southeast	Changing
Malabar Farm State Park	Northeast	Changing
Maumee State Park/Forest	Northwest	Changing
Mohican State Park	Northeast	Changing
Mt. Gilead State Park	Central	Changing
Pike Lake/Paint Creek	Southwest	Changing
Punderson State Park	Northeast	Changing
Quail Hollow State Park	Northeast	Changing
Salt Fork State Park	East	Changing
Shawnee State Park	Southwest	Changing
Sycamore State Park	West	Changing
Tar Hollow State Park	Southeast	Changing
Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve	Northeast	Near Peak
Van Buren State Park	Northwest	Near Peak
Zaleski State Forest	Southeast	Changing

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Continue to look for future reports in this series of updates that will highlight some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio’s fall color season. ODNR’s web site will post updated reports each Monday. News releases will be issued weekly by ODNR to announce the reports, now through early November. Also online, starting September 30, hear fall foliage podcasts with information from ODNR’s fall color specialist, Casey Munchel.