EDITORS NOTE: This is the second in a series of fall color updates, highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's Fall Foliage. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Thursday through the end of October.
COLUMBUS, OH - The first hints of autumn golds, yellows, oranges and reds are starting appear in forests and woodlands throughout the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
"Most Fall Color reporting sites across Ohio indicate 'fair' viewing conditions for this week," said Bill Schultz, spokesman for the ODNR Division of Forestry. "That means 10 to 25 percent of trees are beginning to turn colors."
Reports gathered from ODNR's parks, forests and nature preserves in all parts of the state show conditions are generally fair in northern and southwestern regions, and still green in the heavily forested southeast. Peak color is still about two weeks away, Schultz said.
This weekend, special seasonal campouts are slated for Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County; Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County; Pike Lake State Park in Pike County; and Van Buren State Park in Hancock County.
Autumn Walks will begin at Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County. Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County will host its annual Apple Butter Festival and Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County will be the scene of the annual Scouting Outing. Pioneer Craft Days will come to Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County. The popular Paul Bunyan Show is set for Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, near Hocking Hills State Park.
A gathering of textile craftsmen will highlight the annual Spin In at Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County on Saturday. Fall hayrides will also begin at Malabar Farm this weekend.
The day to day autumn color changes across Ohio and other seasonal information - as well as updates on activities and events - can be viewed on the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com . To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are also available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 124 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:
REGION CONDITION 10/03/02
CENTRAL
Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Fair
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Green
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Green
Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County) Fair
NORTHEAST
Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Fair
Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Fair
Findley State Park (Lorain County) Fair
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Fair
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) Fair
EAST
Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Green
Fernwood State Forest (Jefferson County) Fair
Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
Harrison State Forest (Harrison County) Fair
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Fair
SOUTHEAST
Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Fair
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Fair
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Fair
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Fair
Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross County) Fair
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Green
SOUTHWEST
Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Fair
Hueston Woods State Park and State Nature Preserve (Preble County) Fair
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Fair
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Fair
Little Miami State Park (Warren County) Fair
WEST
Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County) Fair
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Fair
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Green
NORTHWEST
Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Green
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Green
Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Fair
COLOR CONDITION KEY: GREEN - Still mostly green. FAIR - Beginning to turn colors. NEAR PEAK - Mostly colored. PEAK - Peak colors. FADING - Mostly colored, but fading from peak conditions. LEAF DROP - Few leaves on trees. Note that reported conditions are subject to rapid change with wind or rain.