Autumn in Northwest Ohio is something truly spectacular. With this region’s perfectly crisp fall weather, the abundance of fall events and festivals (including several for kids!), and the gorgeous changing leaves, this is the ultimate place to be during this magical season. There are plenty of places to admire the leaves, debuting a kaleidoscope of color, as they change to various auburn, mustard, golden and russet hues. Take a trip to these picturesque destinations to fully experience the wonders of fall in all its splendor! Keep an eye on the leaves’ current state with Visit Ohio’s helpful Fall Color Map, showing the current state of leaves throughout all of Ohio — as they go from green to peak to fading. Or follow along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ weekly fall color updates throughout the season! Van Buren State Park
12259 Township Road 218, Van Buren, OH 45889 
Photo Courtesy of South Haven VanBuren County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Van Buren State Park is an ideal location to take in the beauty of fall. Grab a seat or enjoy a picnic at many of the serene spaces surrounding the park’s 45-acre lake. The bright colors of fall foliage reflected in the water are simply breathtaking! Secor Metropark
10001 West Central Avenue, Sylvania, OH 43560 
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Metroparks
Oak Opening’s Secor Metropark is a centrally located and popular destination for exceptional fall color viewing. Several short trails within Secor are filled with breathtaking foliage. Take a laid-back stroll along the Secor Forest Edge Trail, the Secor All Purpose Trail, or the Secor Woodland Pond Trail to take it all in. If the weather takes a turn, you can still take in natural beauty within the park’s on-site collection of outdoor photography at The National Center for Nature Photography. Side Cut Metropark
1025 West River Road, Maumee, OH 43537 
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Metroparks
Visit Side Cut Metropark in Maumee for fishing, sightseeing and hiking — all of which are that much more enjoyable with fall colors as a backdrop. This historical park is home to Side Cut Riverview Trail, a wonderful place for avid and amateur birdwatchers alike, as it travels along the Maumee River. Take a peaceful journey along this paved path, breathe in the refreshing crisp fall air, and enjoy your red, orange and yellow surroundings. Or take a stroll along the Side Cut Fallen Timbers Trail filled with wildlife and wonderful fall foliage. Harrison Lake State Park
26246 Harrison Lake Road, Fayette, OH 43521 
Photo Courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Harrison Lake State Park in Fayette features a 142-acre lake in the center, making this a breathtaking setting to enjoy the changing leaves reflected in its still waters. This state park hosts scenic woodlands in a highly saturated agricultural region, and is a popular destination for swimming, fishing, camping and canoeing. Stop by during the fall to see the awe-inspiring golden and auburn leaves alongside the lake and enjoy a meal at one of the park’s many picnic areas. Wildwood Preserve Metropark
5100 West Central Avenue, Ottawa Hills, OH 43615 
Photos Courtesy of elATLboy
Wildwood Preserve Metropark is the most visited of Toledo’s Metroparks, and for good reason. This enormous 493-acre park is home to the Wildwood Manor House, the former estate of Toledo’s Stranahan family. Take in the park’s bright fall colors with a hike or bike ride along the Wildwood All Purpose Trail, the Wildwood Floodplain Trail, or the Wildwood Ridge Trail! You’ll experience a variety of river views, diverse plant and animal species, wildflowers, and lots of trees in this gorgeous park. Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Road, Oregon, OH 43616 
Photos Courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Toledoans and Northwest Ohio residents are no strangers to the popular Maumee Bay State Park located in Oregon along Lake Erie’s shore — especially during the summer. Return to this lakeside oasis during the fall to experience a color show in the trees unlike any other, as you hike, fish, golf, or simply enjoy a picnic. You can even extend your visit with an overnight stay at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge and Conference Center, so you can soak up the fall beauty even longer! Oak Openings Preserve Metropark
4139 Girdham Road, Swanton, OH 43558 
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Metroparks
Experience lakeside, prairie and woodland views — and of course, fall colors — within the Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. Combine two hikes into one with a hike on the Oak Openings Hiking Trail that merges with the All Purpose Trail near Evergreen Lake. Simply follow the Oak Openings Hiking Trail from the Evergreen Lake area, passing the west side of the lake, and enter through the woods into the Campbell Prairie area. It is here where you’ll encounter an overwhelming supply of fall foliage. After you’ve recovered from the shock of your surroundings, you’ll then follow the paved road north to reach the intersection of the All Purpose Trail, which will take you back to where you started. This is an easy yet rewarding loop that will expose you to the splendor of the gorgeous Oak Openings region! Pearson Metropark
4600 Starr Avenue, Oregon, OH 43616 
Photos Courtesy of David Hartley
Pearson Metropark in Oregon is another wonderful vantage point for experiencing autumn’s breathtaking hues. Go for a stroll along the Pearson All-Purpose Trail, a 1.5-mile trail on the north side of Starr Avenue. The park is filled with rich forestry and wildlife, and is one of the last remaining strands of the Great Black Swamp, a notorious forest that once blanketed much of northwest Ohio. Findley State Park
25381 Ohio 58, Wellington, OH 44090 
Photo Courtesy of Todd Sechel Studio
Travel to Wellington for an exquisite fall color display in the heavily wooded Findley State Park featuring a wide variety of trees. Take a stroll along any of their scenic hiking trails, and observe the reflection of bright leaves in the quiet waters situated throughout the park. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, picknicking, hiking, and more at the beautiful Findley State Park. Farnsworth Metropark
8505 South River Road, Waterville, OH 43566 
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Metroparks
Visit Farnsworth Metropark along the Maumee River, a popular destination for fishing and overnight camping. Look out over the river to admire the surrounding foliage or hop on board the famous Towpath Trail that connects the park to Bend View and Providence Metroparks. Providence Metropark
13827 U.S. 24, Grand Rapids, OH 43522 
Photo Courtesy of Toledo Metroparks
At the southern end of Towpath Trail lies Providence Metropark, where you can relive the canal experience of the 21st century. This riverside park is home to an authentic, mule-drawn canal boat and historic mill, made even more picturesque in this idyllic setting along the Maumee River. Better yet, this area comes to life during the fall with bright leaves reflected in the water, especially when you're on the Providence River Bluff Trail. East Harbor State Park
1169 North Buck Road, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440 
Photo on Left Courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Lake Erie is one of the most awe-inspiring settings in the Northwest Ohio region. Take in lake views and fall foliage simultaneously with a trip to East Harbor State Park in Lakeside Marblehead. This 1,831-acre state park offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping. And when the weather is colder, visitors enjoy bundling up and walking along one of the park’s 11 hiking trails. Independence Dam State Park
27722 OH-424, Defiance, OH 43512 
Photos Courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Independence Dam State Park is another beautiful Ohio park nestled along the Maumee River. Boaters, fishers and nature-lovers frequent this park for its ideal land for outdoor recreation and its gorgeous setting. Become completely immersed in an overhead blanket of trees with a walk along the 1,444-mile Buckeye Trail, a portion of which passes through the park and past the old canal locks in the river. Enjoy the Beautiful Fall Foliage of Northwest Ohio!
And let us know what we missed!