Email
Print
FeedColor Scheme
Four spots to soak up the changing season
ISTOCK PHOTOS
After five years on the Ohio outdoors beat, I’ve seen my share of turning leaves-—summer’s glorious wave goodbye. To help you savor the season, here are four of my favorite fall-color hikes.
Great Heights
Rising Park
North High Street and Bainter Circle, Lancaster
Towering cliffs are visible from the road and accessible from a trail on the park’s south side. It leads to one of Ohio’s best panoramic views. Autumn will lap hills and Lancaster’s street grid, which spreads below like a patchwork quilt.
Color Collection
Holden Arboretum
9500 Sperry Rd.,
Willoughby
Many of the 120,000 plants noted within Holden blaze throughout the season. Get your bearings at the nature center, then hit the Bole Woods, Corning Lake and Blueberry Pond trails for classic Northeastern Ohio scenery.
Lakeside Leaves
A.W. Marion State Park
7317 Warner-Huffer Rd., Circleville
The flat and easy Hargus Lake Trail rims the centerpiece water, bringing hikers through deep woods, past rolling farms and around serene backwater inlets. Save time to enjoy the panoramic views from a causeway on the lake’s western side.
Fantastic Falls
Englewood MetroPark
4361 National Rd., Vandalia
Dayton’s park system is helping the city build a reputation as the Midwest’s outdoor adventure capital. Englewood is one of the best. Take the Green Trail to see a trio of waterfalls: Oaks, Patty and Martindale, a stunning edition you can climb to cool off.
Follow fall-color progress by region at ohiodnr.com.
