OHIO FALL COLOR UPDATE #1 -- SEPTEMBER 29: OH

NOTE: This is the first in a series of updates highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy autumn in Ohio. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Thursday through early November.

COLUMBUS, OH - The first “blush” of fall is beginning to show across most of Ohio’s woodlands this week, with northern areas reporting about 10 percent color and southern areas about 5 percent, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

“Late September has brought us many warm, sunny days and cool nights - just what Ohio’s forests need to bring out the best fall color displays,” said Casey Munchel, fall color spokesperson with the ODNR Division of Forestry. “In far northern Ohio, the Virginia creeper and poison ivy vines are already turning their vivid reds - the first sign of a good fall color viewing season.”

Despite the hot, dry summer, Munchel believes the peak of fall color will arrive about the second or third week of October for most of the state- just as it always does.

Seasonal events are set this weekend for Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County, Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Van Buren State Park in Hancock County, Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County, Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County and Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County.

To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state through 1-800-BUCKEYE. Internet users can also find information and activities at ohiodnr.com and discoverohio.com .

Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 130 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the splendid fall foliage. Here are current reports from selected locations:

REGION CONDITION 9/29/05
CENTRAL
Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Changing
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Changing
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Changing
Deer Creek State Park (Pickaway County) Changing

NORTHEAST
Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Changing
Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Changing
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Changing
Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve (Portage County) Changing

EAST
Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Changing
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Changing
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Changing

Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Changing

SOUTHEAST
Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Changing
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Changing
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Changing
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Changing
Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross County) Changing
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Changing
Lake Alma State Park (Vinton/Jackson counties) Changing

SOUTHWEST
Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Changing
Hueston Woods State Park and State Nature Preserve (Preble County) Changing
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Changing
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Changing

WEST
Sycamore State Park (Montgomery County) Changing
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Changing
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Changing
Buck Creek State Park (Clark County) Changing

NORTHWEST
Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Changing
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Changing
Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Changing

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing - Still mostly green with less than 25 percent color showing. NEAR PEAK - Significant color showing - anywhere from 30 to 60 percent. PEAK - Peak colors - as much as 85 percent color showing. FADING - Mostly colored, but colors fading and leaves falling to forest floor. Note that reported conditions are subject to rapid change with wind or rain.

Source: ODNR