The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has gone mad for fall foliage this year. Mad scientist, that is.
In a YouTube video, ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott goes full mad scientist over Ohio’s fall colors, working in a dimly lit room with flasks of colorful chemicals. Before he gets too far, he’s interrupted by coworker Josiah Wade, who tells Parrott that IT has already solved his problem with ODNR’s fall foliage progress map.
The map will be updated weekly, starting Thursday, Sept. 25, tracking the progress of changing conditions and fall colors throughout the Buckeye State.
So when will Ohio’s fall colors peak? Here’s what to know.
When will Ohio’s fall colors peak?
In a Facebook post, ODNR’s Division of Forestry posted its prediction for fall colors across the state.
State foresters project fall foliage will be at its peak color in October, starting early in the month for the northern part of the state and finishing later in the month in Ohio’s south.
What are the best locations around Ohio to see fall colors?
Ohio has some of the best locations in the nation to view fall foliage. Hocking Hills State Park was named among the best destinations for fall colors in the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Reader’s Choice Awards. And the Cuyahoga Valley National Park made the Farmer’s Almanac ranking in 2024.
Ohio’s tourism board is chiming in as well, with its list of the 16 best state parks to see fall foliage. Those include:
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ODNR map shows fall color forecast, where foliage is peaking across Ohio. What to know
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
