Ohioans pride themselves on having four separate and equally resplendent seasons, but the truth is, we all have an extra special spot in our hearts for fall. Ohio is undeniably at its most beautiful in the fall. Take advantage of the stunning fall foliage, crisp air, and comfortably cool temperatures while they last. If you want to make the most of this autumn season, visit these 15 beautiful places to visit during the fall in Ohio that stunningly showcase autumn in the Buckeye State before the winter season arrives.
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Peninsula)
Ohio's dreamy national park is always lovely, but becomes unbelievably gorgeous in the fall. (Pictured: Blue Hen Falls)
2. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (Peninsula)
Tour the Cuyahoga Valley by train and take in the beauty of autumn via this scenic railroad. Trains run Wednesday through Sunday.
3. Hocking Hills State Park and Old Man's Cave (Logan)
Ohio's arguably most beloved state park is home to the famous Old Man's Cave trails and stunning fall foliage during the autumn season. Make your autumn visit extra memorable and stay overnight in a cozy cabin. (Pictured: Rose Lake.)
4. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway (Nelsonville)
Tour the Hocking Valley by train and let the beauty of fall captivate you along this scenic railroad.
5. Ohio's Amish Country (various counties)
The only thing more heartwarming than Ohio's Amish County is Ohio's Amish Country in the fall. (Pictured: The Bridge of Dreams in Knox County.)
6. Cleveland Metroparks
If you're in the Cleveland area, visiting the metroparks in autumn guarantees you some stunning fall foliage to enjoy and photograph. (Pictured: Squire's Castle.)
7. Mill Creek Park and Lanterman’s Mill (Youngstown)
Youngstown, Ohio, is home to the second largest metropark in the U.S. (after Central Park in New York City), and it's unbelievably gorgeous in the fall. This quiet gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city features some of the area's most popular attractions such as Fellows Riverside Gardens and Lanterman's Mill (pictured).
8. Five Rivers MetroParks (Dayton)
In the Dayton area, you'll also find stunning fall foliage within several metroparks. (Pictured: Hills and Dales Metropark in Kettering.)
9. The Covered Bridges Byway (Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour)
Drive through America's shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. Begin your drive at the Netcher Road bridge near Jefferson and continue to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge (pictured) near the Ashtabula River.
10. Eden Park (Cincinnati)
Cincinnati's Eden Park is a true gem within Cincinnati during the autumn months. It's one of the best places for fall leaf peeping in Ohio, in fact!
11. The Scioto Mile (Columbus)
Just because you can't run through the water fountains at The Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus in autumn doesn't mean you shouldn't visit this waterfront park during the fall. (It's just as gorgeous... if not more, and this is 100% the best riverwalk in the country! Just saying.)
12. Metroparks of Toledo Area
If you're in the Toledo area, the metroparks are a prime location to take in some beautiful fall foliage. (Pictured: the criminally-underrated-yet-amazingly-beautiful SideCut Metropark)
13. Mohican State Park (Loudonville)
Stay the night in a cozy cabin (or treehouse) at this serene state park in the fall. The Hemlock Gorge Trail might just be the best fall hike in Ohio!
14. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum (Hamilton)
This outdoor museum and sculpture park in Hamilton is every art enthusiast's dream come true--and it's even more colorful and artistic during the autumn months.
15. John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (Yellow Springs)
The calm waters of the Little Miami River and the deep limestone chasm featured at this nature destination are most stunning in the fall. We absolutely adore this duo of parks in Yellow Springs!
What are your favorite places to visit in the fall in Ohio? Share them with us in the comments below - we're always looking for more fall adventures to add to our bucket lists! Feeling proud to hail from Ohio? You should! Check out this unique state pride apparel from Wear Your Roots!
Looking for even more to explore? Take a look at this stunning footage of Hocking Hills:
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