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Fall foliage peaks in southern Ohio during the second and third weeks of October. Whether traveling along the sinuous Ohio River, trekking through a steep gorge near Cincinnati or heading to some of Ohio's most remote forests, Southern Ohio's fall color blends marvelous shades of red, yellow, orange and even purple into a scenic marvel. Follow one of these handy itineraries for a hassle-free driving tour. Click the "download pdf" icon to see a printable version of the tour. (To download Adobe Acrobat, click here) Appalachian Fall Foliage Driving Tour East Fork Fall Foliage Driving Tour Hocking Hills Fall Foliage Driving Tour Hopewell Trail River Fall Foliage Driving Tour Little Miami Fall Foliage Driving Tour Shawnee Fall Foliage Driving Tour Appalachian Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 56 miles In southeast Ohio, Routes 60 and 78 have all the qualities of an ideal fall foliage tour: a historic river town, a museum restaurant and a beautiful state park. Marietta, on Route 60 gives visitors a chance to view the vibrant autumn leaves not only by land, but also by water. Just off Route 60, Marietta's Front Street is home to the Valley Gem Sternwheeler, which takes passengers on a scenic four-hour lock tour, where the waters of the Ohio River reflect the splendor of fall's colors. Then head northwest on Route 60, taking in the farm fields and open land until you reach McConnellsville and Route 78. Just off the highway you can dine in the Howard House Restaurant, a fully restored antebellum museum and eatery. After dinner, head south on Route, one of Ohio's official scenic byways, to Burr Oak State Park in Glouster. Locals refer to this route as the "Rim of the World".
East Fork Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 44 miles Following the path of the Little Miami River’s East Fork, leaf peepers will be delighted by beautiful vistas of red and yellow leaves, stunning topography and tiny towns. At Wilmington, make sure to hit Main Street, where more than 20 shops are lined up to offer antiques, books, furniture and more. Though the weather might be getting crisp, pick up a banana split at the shop where it was first created in 1907. Then, travel down Route 134 through Lynchburg and turn west on Route 50 at Allensburg. The river’s path is now visible right off the road, lending views of amazing scenery. Don’t miss Lake Lorelei near Vera Cruz along the way. Finally, turn south on Route 133 and head to East Fork State Park where 85 miles of hiking trails delight visitors to this lakeside paradise. Unique lowland tress like sycamore, black gums and elms offer some rare fall colors. Hocking Hills Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 37 miles The Hocking Hills is one of the state’s most beautiful and remote regions. 100 years ago, much of this land was deforested for coal mining, but today, immense forests have reclaimed their range. Circleville is famous for its Pumpkin Show held annually in mid October. More than 300,000 people will gather to watch the pumpkin weigh-in, eat pumpkin pies and practice pumpkin bowling. From Circleville, travel southwest on Route 56. The landscape changes quickly from farmland to wilderness. At Laurelville and South Bloomingville, partake in shopping for Appalachian crafts. For a side trip that won’t disappoint nature lovers, head north on Route 374, and hike through the Hocking Hills State Forest, hiking past caves, waterfalls and immense sandstone cliffs. Finish up this Hocking Hills odyssey with a stop at the delightful Etta’s Lunchbox in New Plymouth, a restaurant bedecked with hundreds of antique lunchboxes.
Hopewell Trail Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 49 miles This fall foliage driving tour connects some of the country’s most important Native American sites. About 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell people inhabited the area and created enormous earthworks. The Hopewell Culture National Historic Park in Chillicothe is one of the largest preserved collections of mounds in America. An interpretive center tells the story of the people who once inhabited this village. Travel south on Route 104 into the city of Chillicothe, Ohio’s first capital. Many historic sites line the streets, and the city is filled with enourmous trees due to its location in the Scioto Valley. Take Route 50 west out of town, and stop at the Seip Mound, near Bourneville. The mound is part of a series of geometric earthworks that was used for burials. Turn south onto Route 41 at Bainbridge, and drive to Fort Hill, a 1,200-acre site including 11 miles of hiking trails and a 1 ½ mile long hilltop enclosure. From there, head south on Route 41 again into Locust Grove. Turn east onto Route 73, and stop at the Serpent Mound. This ¼ mile long effigy mound is shaped like a snake eating an egg. Its purpose is still an enigma, but the scenery is spectacular, as the mound sits atop a bluff overlooking acres of brilliantly colored forests. Little Miami Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 33 miles In southwestern Ohio, autumn breezes waft their way through several quaint towns, while tidy rows of cornfields sway on the rolling terrain. Downtown Lebanon, on Route 42, features a picturesque beginning to a fall tour, with more than 50 antique and specialty shops and 19th-century buildings to meander through. Continuing north on Route 42, Waynesville, "The Antiques Capital of the Midwest," lives up to its name. It has more than 70 antique and specialty shops, including woodworking, collectible items, art galleries and countless others - all a short jaunt west of Route 42. Farther north, you'll come to Yellow Springs and the Glen Helen Ecology Institute. The on-site preserve boasts 1,000 wooded acres and meadows cushioned by meandering streams and trails that give visitors a close-up view of fall's gorgeous colors. Shawnee Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 66 miles
The Shawnee region provides incomparable scenery near the junction of two of the state’s greatest rivers, the Ohio and the Scioto. Starting in the tiny and colorfully named hamlet of Omega, travel south on Route 335. The roads winds through dazzling scenery, and is swaddled in brilliant fall foliage. Hairpin turns and the abundance of wildlife make this an exhilarating journey. Take 335 into Sciotoville, and then take Route 52 for a short trek into Portsmouth. The town’s floodwall murals are not to be missed, and its Boneyfiddle Historic District offers plenty of antique shops and restaurants to satisfy all appetites. Follow Route 52 west, right along the banks of the Ohio River. Just a few minutes out of Portsmouth, Ohio’s largest state forest rises up. Shawnee State Forest has a stunning combination of craggy hills, towering trees and river views that will impress any leaf peeper.
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