Where to See Fall Color in Central Ohio: A Region-by-Region Guide

Early yellow maple leaves along a wooded ravine trail in Central Ohio.

As of early October, Central Ohio's fall color was patchy, with most trees still green and ODNR forecasting peak color for central and northern Ohio in mid-to-late October. Here's where to look, direction by direction.

Fall color in Central Ohio doesn't arrive all at once. It starts in pockets, shows up first in certain trees and places, and builds toward a peak that can vary from park to park. If you want to catch it, knowing where to look and when to go makes a big difference.

This guide summarizes ABC6 On Your Side's October 2 Fall Color Tracker and its September 25 edition, along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' fall color resources. Conditions change weekly, so treat these as a starting point and check the latest map before you head out.

How Far Along Is Fall Color in Central Ohio?

Early. ABC6's October 2 report described early, patchy color across the region, with most trees still green and patches of yellow showing up in places such as Fairfield County. The September 25 report had described the region as still largely green, with treetops starting to glow in anticipation of autumn.

That patchiness is normal in the early weeks. Color tends to appear first along ravines, waterways, and maples, and in places with a wide variety of plants, because different trees turn at different times.

When Is Peak Color Expected?

Mid-to-late October for central and northern Ohio, according to ODNR's forecast as reported by ABC6. As of October 2, peak leaf-peeping was still several weeks away, and ABC6 described the foliage as not yet destination-level in many places.

ODNR launched its first 2026 statewide fall color progress map on October 1, and its Fall Color page says the map is updated weekly. That's the single best tool for timing a trip, because it shows how conditions are changing across the state, including popular areas such as Hocking Hills State Park, which ABC6 noted people watch closely for the season's color.

Where Should You Go, Direction by Direction?

ABC6's tracker grouped its guidance by direction from Columbus. Here's what it said as of October 2:

• North, Highbanks Metro Park and Alum Creek State Park: Look for early color along ravines, waterways, and maples. It wasn't yet destination-level foliage. The September 25 edition also noted early hints of color and river-bluff views at Highbanks.

• East, Dawes Arboretum in Newark: Still the best early-season option because its plant diversity provides more individual trees already in color. I cover Dawes in a separate post.

• South, Clear Creek Metro Park: The best scenic hike, but expect mostly green forest with scattered color, and use caution on wet, steep trails. The earlier edition also pointed to Slate Run as a quiet early-fall hike where color was still developing.

• West, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park: A strong all-season location with woodland and creek routes. ABC6 suggested pairing early foliage with Darby Creek Day at Indian Ridge in Galloway, which was scheduled for Sunday, October 4.

• Columbus, Schiller Park, the Scioto Mile, and Quarry Trails: Convenient options for early-color photos, especially after rain clears, though not yet peak-color locations.

ABC6 also shared a photo of the lake at the Hoover Reservoir Dam in Westerville on October 1, a reminder that color often shows up around water first.

What Should You Know Before You Go?

A few practical points from the reporting. After rain, trails can stay muddy, and ABC6 specifically warned about wet, steep trails at Clear Creek. Weather matters too: cool, dry conditions make for comfortable hiking, and ABC6's weekend forecasts called for mild temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Because color varies so much from week to week, plan for flexibility. If your first choice isn't at peak, a closer option such as a city park can still make for a good afternoon, and you can return in a week or two as the map shows more areas turning.

Can You Combine Leaf-Peeping With Other Fall Plans?

Easily. ABC6's Fall Festival Guide pointed readers to events such as the Circleville Pumpkin Show and the All American Quarter Horse Congress, both of which fall within the same mid-to-late October window when color is building. The Pumpkin Show runs October 21 through 24, and the Quarter Horse Congress runs through October 24. Pairing a hike with a festival makes a full weekend out of what can otherwise be a short window of peak color.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is peak fall color in Central Ohio in 2026?

ODNR forecasts peak color for central and northern Ohio in mid-to-late October, according to ABC6. As of October 2, most trees were still green with early, patchy color.

Where is the best place for early fall color near Columbus?

ABC6 named Dawes Arboretum in Newark as the best early-season option because its plant diversity provides more individual trees already in color. Highbanks and Alum Creek showed early color along ravines, waterways, and maples.

What is ODNR's fall color map?

It's ODNR's statewide fall color progress map, which launched October 1, 2026 and is updated weekly, showing how foliage conditions are changing across Ohio.

Are Central Ohio parks at peak color yet?

Not as of ABC6's October 2 report, which called color early and patchy and said peak leaf-peeping was still several weeks away. Check ODNR's weekly map for the latest.

What should I know about trails during leaf-peeping season?

Trails can stay muddy after rain, and ABC6 warned about wet, steep trails at Clear Creek. Check the forecast and use caution on steep terrain.

If a season of hikes and festivals has you curious about living close to Central Ohio's parks and trails, I'm always happy to talk through which neighborhoods and communities put them within easy reach.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.