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Ohio fall foliage
In a typical year, fall color in Ohio peaks from about October 24 around Cleveland (650 ft) to about October 29 around Cincinnati (480 ft).
2026 foliage season
Ohio fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 4 Ohio destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
How fall color moves through Ohio
In a typical year, the color moves through Ohio over about a week. Cleveland is usually first, around October 24, and Cincinnati is usually last, around October 29. In order, the typical peaks are: Cleveland around October 24, Columbus around October 27, Hocking Hills around October 27, and Cincinnati around October 29.
Best places for Ohio fall foliage
- Cleveland: Cleveland’s color is in its Emerald Necklace, the ring of Cleveland Metroparks reservations that follows the river valleys around the city.
- Columbus: Columbus sits where the Olentangy and Scioto rivers meet, and its metro parks follow the river valleys.
- Hocking Hills: The Hocking Hills are a maze of sandstone gorges, cliffs, and recess caves, shaded by hemlocks and hardwoods that turn late in the season.
- Cincinnati: Cincinnati is built on hills above the Ohio River, and its parks sit on the high ground.
Scenic drives
- Near Cleveland: Riverview Road follows the Cuyahoga River south through the national park, past wooded hillsides, open fields, and the village of Peninsula.
- Near Columbus: US 33 heads southeast from Columbus into the hills of southeastern Ohio, where the land turns rugged and forested, and leads to the gorges and recess caves of the Hocking Hills.
- Near Hocking Hills: State Route 374 winds through the Hocking Hills, linking Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, and Rock House on a loop of back roads through the forest, with ridges and hollows in color along the way.
- Near Cincinnati: US 52 follows the Ohio River east from Cincinnati through old river towns, with the river on one side and wooded hills on the other, part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway.
Visiting at different times
Late October. Cleveland (best about Oct 23–Oct 31), Columbus (best about Oct 25–Nov 2), Hocking Hills (best about Oct 25–Nov 2), and Cincinnati (best about Oct 28–Nov 5) are typically at their best.
Trees behind the color
National park and forest guide
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in Ohio?
In a typical year, fall color in Ohio peaks from about October 24 around Cleveland (650 ft) to about October 29 around Cincinnati (480 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in Ohio?
Cleveland is usually first among the Ohio destinations we track, with peak around October 24. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in Ohio?
Cincinnati usually peaks last, around October 29. Cincinnati is well to the south of the state’s other destinations we track, which is part of why its color comes late.
What trees give Ohio its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include sugar maple, tulip tree, shagbark hickory, sassafras, red maple, and northern red oak.
Check any city or ZIP code in Ohio.
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