NORTHEAST
28th Annual Ohio Heritage Days (Malabar Farm State Park) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. The barn dance is from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. For information call (419) 892-2784.
Hayrides & Harvest Moonlight Tours (Malabar Farm State Park) noon to 8 p.m., every Saturday in October. Enjoy fall color, crisp air and hot cider on a 30-minute hayride for a $2 fee per person. Evening house tours are also offered at regular tour fee. For info & group reservations, call (419) 892-2784.
27th Annual Pioneer Craft Days (Beaver Creek State Park) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3, at the pioneer village. See demonstrations of pioneer skills by crafters and artists against the quaint backdrop of the historic village and Gaston’s Mill. For information, call (330) 385-3091.
Fall Walk (Malabar Farm State Park) 10 a.m., Saturday, October 9. Join a relaxing 2-mile guided walk through woods and fields to enjoy the splendor of Ohio in fall. Call (419) 892-2784 for information.
Autumn Hike (Quail Hollow State Park) 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, October 10. Meet at the Spruce Grove picnic area for a leisurely hike along one of the park’s colorful trails. Call (330) 877-6652 for information.
The Colors of Autumn (Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 16. Enjoy guided fall color hikes at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on the preserve’s boardwalk trail. For information call (419) 981-6319.
The Colors of Autumn (Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 16. Enjoy guided fall color hikes at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on the preserve’s boardwalk trail. For information call (419) 433-4919.
Canal Walk (Beaver Creek State Park) 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, October 17 at Gaston’s Mill. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the historic Sandy and Beaver Canal. Call (330) 385-3091 for information.
SOUTHEAST
The Paul Bunyan Show (Hocking College campus in Nelsonville) Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3. State and international lumberjack competitions occur both days, as well as loader, skidder and truck driving competitions. Chainsaw sculpting and everything “wood” can be seen. Bunyan Burgers and food a-plenty is available. For information visit ohioforest.org
25th Annual Fall Hike (Lake Hope State Park) 10 a.m., Saturday, October 16 at the shelterhouse. Begin your 3-mile hike along the scenic shores of Lake Hope with a cup of sassafras tea and finish with a delicious bean and cornbread dinner at Hope Furnace. Shuttles return hikers to their vehicles. Call (740) 596-5253 for more information.
Fall Hike (Shawnee State Park) 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 16. All park guests are invited on a 5-mile hike through Shawnee State Forest. For information call (740) 858-6652.
Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike (Hocking Hills State Park) 1 p.m., Saturday, October 16 at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. This strenuous hike, which features several steep climbs up hills and steps, spans 6 miles of the Grandma Gatewood trail, from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and back. For information call (740) 385-6841.
ROAR Day (Lake Hope State Park) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, October 30 at the dining lodge, nature center and Hope School. Celebrate “Rural Ohio Appalachia Revisited” through crafts, music and food. Decorate your cottage or campsite and celebrate Appalachian Halloween at the nature center. Call (740) 596-5253 for information.
Craft Daze (Stonelick State Park) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. October 11. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors, as well as food, entertainment and more. Call (513) 625-7544.
Fall Hike (Sycamore State Park) 1 p.m. October 19 at the overlook picnic area off Providence Road. Three-mile or eight-mile self-guided hikes along moderate trails following Wolf Creek. Call (937) 854-4452.
Buckeye Trail Hike (Pike Lake State Park) 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. October 25 from the park concession area. Ride the shuttle to the starting point and hike the Buckeye Trail back to the park. Choose a two-mile or six-mile trek. Refreshments provided. Call (740) 493-2212.
SOUTHWEST
Backpack Trek (East Fork State Park) 9 a.m. Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. Meet at the park office for orientation and then head out with expert backcountry hikers. Pre-registration is required. For information call (513) 734-4323.
Craft Daze (Stonelick State Park) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, October 9. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and pick up a bargain while enjoying food and entertainment. Call (513) 625-7544 for information.
Fall Hike (Sycamore State Park) 1 p.m., Sunday, October 17 at the Overlook Picnic Area off Providence Road. Hikers can choose from 3- or 8-mile self-guided loop trails to view the splendors of the scenic fall woodlands along Wolf Creek. Call (513) 523-6347 for information.
NORTHWEST
Feather and Foliage Bird Festival (Kelleys Island State Park) 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, September 25. Enjoy autumn’s color and the fall bird migration with guided tours, bird bandings and more: For information call (419) 746-2546.
Horses to Horsepower (Van Buren State Park) Noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, October 2. Gather at the nature center for birds of prey programs, hayrides, a living history encounter and entertainment, along with a bean soup and cornbread supper. For information call (419) 832-7662.
Haunted Halloween Boardwalk (Maumee Bay State Park) Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16 at the nature center. Walk the haunted trail and/or enjoy making seasonal crafts. There is a minimal cost for some activities. Refreshments are available. For information call (419) 836-9117.
Fall Color Tour of Turkeyfoot Creek (Mary Jane Thurston State Park) 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, October 16. Canoe up the Maumee River to Turkey Foot Creek to view the kaleidoscope of color; afterward, enjoy hot cider and donuts. Bring your own canoe, or call the park to reserve one at (419) 832-7662.
CENTRAL OHIO
Fall Festival (Delaware State Park) Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25. For information call (740) 369-2761.
Fall Festival and Campout (Alum Creek State Park) Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2. This weekend of fun and fright features scary campsite and costume contests, pumpkin carving, refreshments and crafts. For information call (740) 548-4631.
Apple Butter Festival (
Mt. Gilead State Park) Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2. Sample apple butter and enjoy hayrides, Halloween festivities, fall hikes, entertainment, and ham and bean soup. For information call (419) 946-1961.
For a complete list of seasonal events, visit the ODNR fall color web page at ohiodnr.com