Why Dawes Arboretum Is Central Ohio's Early Fall Color Pick

Yellow and red maples along a woodland path at Dawes Arboretum.

Dawes Arboretum in Newark has been ABC6's top pick for early fall color because its plant diversity puts more trees in color sooner. Here's why, what to see, and how to plan a visit, including a guided fall color hike.

When Central Ohio's fall color is still arriving in patches, one place keeps coming up as the safest bet: the Dawes Arboretum in Newark. Both of ABC6 On Your Side's early-season Fall Color Trackers singled it out, and the reason is simple. It's a place built around variety.

Here's what ABC6 reported, what's known about the arboretum itself, and how to plan a visit. Details below come from ABC6's October 2 and September 25 trackers, supplemented by regional visitor guides.

Why Is Dawes Arboretum Good for Early Fall Color?

Because of its plant diversity. In its October 2 report, ABC6 called Dawes the best early-season option because its variety provides more individual trees already showing fall shades, even when most trees across the region remain green. A week earlier, the September 25 tracker said Dawes was reporting early signs of yellow and red in treetops, along with ginkgo bonsai changing ahead of much of the region.

The logic is straightforward. A place with many different species and cultivars has more chances for something to be turning at any given time, while a uniform woodland tends to change all at once, later. That makes Dawes a good choice for people who want to see color before the broader peak arrives.

What Is the Dawes Arboretum?

A large living collection of trees and gardens in Licking County. Visitor guides describe it as about 30 miles east of Columbus at 7770 Jacksontown Road in Newark, founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes. Sources vary on acreage, putting it somewhere between roughly 1,800 and nearly 2,000 acres, with miles of hiking trails and a driving route through the grounds.

Its collections include crabapples, conifers, oaks, azaleas, and hollies, and well-known features include a cypress swamp, a Japanese garden and bonsai collection, and hedge lettering that spells out the arboretum's name when seen from above. Tickets are required for admission, and hours vary by season, so check the Dawes website before you go.

What Is the Ohio Fall Color Hike?

A guided hike that ABC6 said had registration open for October 21. According to the September 25 tracker, it's a guided tour through the Arboretum East Side Woodlands in Newark. ABC6 linked to the arboretum's site for registration, but details such as the exact time, ticket price, and availability can change from year to year, so confirm them directly with Dawes before planning around it.

Guided hikes can be a good option if you'd rather learn what you're looking at than just walk the trails, and they're a reminder that arboretum staff track conditions closely. In past seasons the arboretum has also offered fall wagon tours and guided walks, so it's worth checking this year's calendar for what's currently scheduled.

How Should You Plan a Visit?

A few practical tips. Check the arboretum's website for current hours, ticket information, and its weekly guide to what's in color. Check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' weekly fall color map, which launched October 1, to see how the broader region is progressing. ODNR forecasts peak color for central and northern Ohio in mid-to-late October, so a visit in the next couple of weeks could catch the region building toward peak.

Dress for walking, since much of the experience is on foot or on trails, and plan on a few hours rather than a quick stop. Because the arboretum is east of Columbus, it pairs well with other Licking County stops if you want to make a day of it.

Is It Worth the Drive Compared With a Closer Park?

It depends on what you want. If your goal is early color and variety, Dawes is the pick ABC6 favored. If you want a quick walk close to home, Columbus options such as Schiller Park, the Scioto Mile, and Quarry Trails were described as convenient for early-color photos, though not yet at peak. Many people do both, using a nearby park for a weekday walk and a longer trip to Dawes when color is building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Dawes Arboretum a good place to see early fall color?

ABC6 called it the best early-season option because its plant diversity provides more individual trees already showing fall shades, while most of the region remained green in early October.

Where is the Dawes Arboretum?

At 7770 Jacksontown Road in Newark, Ohio, about 30 miles east of Columbus in Licking County, according to regional visitor guides.

What is Dawes Arboretum's Ohio Fall Color Hike?

ABC6 reported that registration was open for a guided Ohio Fall Color Hike on October 21 through the Arboretum East Side Woodlands. Confirm time, price, and availability with Dawes.

Do you need tickets for the Dawes Arboretum?

Yes, tickets are required for admission, and hours vary by season, so check the Dawes website before your visit.

When is peak fall color near Columbus?

ODNR forecasts peak color for central and northern Ohio in mid-to-late October, and its statewide fall color map is updated weekly.

If a day trip to Licking County has you curious about living near Newark, Granville, or the east side of Central Ohio, I'm always happy to talk through what each community offers.

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.