COLUMBUS, OH -- Autumn will soon turn the countryside into a palette of reds, golds, yellows, purples and oranges. And there’s no better way to savor the excitement and diversity of fall color than with a drive through the state’s rural countryside, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Spectacular views appear at every bend in the road in some areas. ODNR recommends this sampling from among the most popular fall color driving tours. Many of these routes also offer opportunities to stop at nearby state parks, forests and nature preserves for up-close views of fall’s annual woodland fireworks.
| REGION and COUNTY |
ROAD and ROUTE |
|
Central
|
| Regional |
I-71 from Delaware north to Mansfield |
| Delaware |
SR 315, from I-270 north to Delaware |
| Delaware |
SR 745, from SR 161 north to Propect |
| Licking |
SR 13, from I-70 north to Newark/Heath |
|
Northeast
|
| Richland/Ashland |
SR 97, from I-71 east to Loudonville |
| Ashland/Knox |
SR 3, from Loudonville south to Jelloway |
| Regional |
SR 534, from Damascus north to Harpersfield |
| Geauga/Portage |
SR 700, from Burton south to Freedom |
| Geauga/Lake |
SR 608, from Middlefield northwest to I-90 |
| Summit |
I-271 and I-80, over the Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
| Medina/Summit/Portage |
SR 303, from Hinkley east to Shalersville |
| Holmes |
SR 39, from Loudonville east to Sugarcreek and I-77 |
| Geauga |
SR 87 from Burton to SR 11 |
| Tuscarawas |
SR 211 from I-77 to Atwood Lake
|
| East |
| East Central |
I-77, from Canton south to Marietta (some construction) |
| Jefferson |
SR 151, from SR 7 west to Hopedale |
| Southeast |
| Morgan |
SR 78, from Glouster northeast to McConnelsville |
| Hocking |
SR 374 and 664, around the Hocking Hills Region |
| Hocking/Vinton |
SR 278, from Nelsonville southwest to Prattsville |
| Meigs |
SR 681, SR 124 and SR 248, from Tuppers Plains to Keno |
| Jackson/Lawrence |
SR 93, from Oak Hill south to Ironton |
| Monroe/Washington |
SR 26, from Woodsfield to Marietta |
| Ross |
SR 372 from SR 104 to U.S. 35
|
| Ross |
US 50 from Chillicothe southwest to Bainbridge |
| Harrison |
SR 646 from Tappan Lake to Annapolis |
| Regional |
US 35 from Chillicothe to the Ohio River |
| Southwest |
| Warren |
I-71, over Little Miami River Gorge |
| Scioto |
Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State Park Roads |
| Regional |
US 50 and SR 32/124 (The Appalachian Highway), from Athens west to Cincinnati (some construction) |
| Regional |
SR 41 from Greenfield to the Ohio River |
| Clark |
CR 316 from U.S. 40 to I-70
|
| Northwest |
| Regional |
SR 65, SR 424 and SR 111, from Perrysburg southwest to Defiance |
| Regional |
SR 105, SR 163 and SR 53, from Bowling Green northeast to Catawba Island |
Many Ohio waterways also provide excellent fall color viewing. Because they are in a moist environment, trees and shrubs along Ohio's rivers, lakes and streams tend to show color brilliantly and hold that color longer. A late season canoe or powerboat trip on a favorite waterway can be a treat for the senses. However, ODNR advises boaters to take extra caution during fall outings when air and water temperatures are lower. A well-fitted life preserver is the best safety measure late-season boaters can take.
Fall Color Reports are available each week (beginning September 30) through 1-800-BUCKEYE. Internet users can access the forecast and other seasonal information at ohiodnr.com .