Leaf peepers, get ready. The annual Fall Color festivities are beckoning out in Ohio, slated for the weekend of October 26-27 at two rather picturesque locations: the historic Hocking State Forest Cabin and the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve. A family-friendly affair, the event is hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), boasting an array of activities set against the Instagram-worthy backdrop of autumn's palette. "Time spent in Ohio’s state forests and nature preserves at any time of the year is time well spent," ODNR Director Mary Mertz shared in a statement that promises an "exceptional experience" as fall's beauty unfolds across the state's natural features.
The Hocking State Forest Fall Color Tour kicks off the revelry on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities that range from wagon rides through the forest to firewood processing and chainsaw safety demonstrations. Offering more than just pretty leaves, the tour comes with educational displays, presentations, and professional foresters dispensing advice on tree identification and best practices for forest wildlife management. Amidst battling wildfires, the equipment will also be on display, as well as refreshments to keep things cool.
For folks with a penchant for history woven through their nature excursions, the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve Fall Open House does not disappoint. Running both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event offers a dual-trail experience: the 2.5-mile loop Rim Trail for some elevated fall color viewing, and the 1-mile paved Lower Gorge Trail for up-close views of rugged sandstone outcrops. Stationed along the trails, naturalists will be on hand to answer any burning questions about the preserve's geology, flora, fauna, and natural history. If the weather allows, historical reenactors will transport visitors back to Ohio's frontier life in the 1790s - just on Saturday for those keeping track.
These events are part of ODNR's ongoing commitment to promoting the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. As noted by ODNR, the division has been "preserving and protecting Ohio’s unique natural heritage", which can be explored in greater detail on their respective websites for forestry and natural areas. Next year, in 2024, ODNR will be celebrating a significant milestone - 75 years of commitment to conserving Ohio's natural resources. Indeed, a big year for both the state and those who love roaming its woodland realms and scenic rivers.
