EDITORS NOTE: This is the latest in a series of fall color updates highlighting some of the best places and ways to enjoy Ohio's Fall Foliage.
COLUMBUS, OH -- Southern Ohio woodlands are expected to be at peak color this weekend and forests across the center of the state are continuing to hold their reds, golds and oranges, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
This coming weekend will present some of the best chances of the year to enjoy Fall Foliage in central and southeastern Ohio, said Bill Schultz, spokesperson with the ODNR Division of Forestry. Extreme southern Ohio may continue great foliage for another week or so, but a lot will depend on rain and wind conditions. Northern Ohio forests are already reporting 'leaf drop' as seasonal colors fade from rural landscapes.
Peak color is reported at ODNR facilities in the Vinton County area of southeast Ohio, as well as at parks and forests in Ross, Highland, Preble and Scioto counties in southwestern Ohio.
Weekly updates on the best Fall Color viewing locations across the state are available by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find Fall Color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com .
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 10/31/02
CENTRAL
Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Fading
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Peak
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Peak
Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County) Fading
Madison Lake State Park (Madison County) Fading
NORTHEAST
Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Leaf Drop
Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Fading
Findley State Park (Lorain County) Fading
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Fading
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) Peak
EAST
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Leaf Drop
Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Leaf Drop
Harrison State Forest (Harrison County) Fading
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Fading
SOUTHEAST
Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Peak
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Peak
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Peak
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Peak
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Peak
SOUTHWEST
Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Peak
Hueston Woods State Park and State Nature Preserve (Preble County) Peak
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Peak
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Peak
Scioto Trail State Forest (Ross County) Peak
WEST
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Peak
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Peak
NORTHWEST
Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Fading
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Fading
Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Wood County) Fading
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.