Ohio Stunning Fall Foliage – Top 5 Road Trips to See Autumn Colors in the Midwest

As someone who was born and raised in the Midwest and has traveled a lot in the last seven years, I can say with certainty that Ohio has some of the most beautiful fall foliage shows in the whole country. The way that lush green fields turn into a bright mix of red, orange, and yellow colors is truly magical. When I’m not writing about travel, I like to take road trips through Ohio’s woods, valleys, hills, and farmlands to see the fall colors. Let’s read below about “Ohio Stunning Fall Foliage – Top 5 Road Trips to See Autumn Colors in the Midwest”.

If you want to enjoy the fall beauty of the Midwest too, here are my top 5 road trip suggestions to see beautiful fall scenery in Ohio:

Hocking Hills Scenic Byway

This road, which is about 25 miles long, goes through the beautiful Hocking Hills area, which has steep cliffs, waterfalls, and thick forests. Ash Cave, Rock House, Cedar Falls, and Cantwell Cliffs are some of the best places to see along this byway. The pops of bright red, orange, and yellow in the scenery will amaze you as you drive by these beautiful natural sights. The best time to see the leaves change color along this road is from September to early October.

Pro Tip: Hike the Gorge Overlook Trail for panoramic views of the fall foliage below.

Amish Country Byway

This side road goes through the middle of Ohio’s Amish community and has lush farmlands, cute towns, and horse-drawn buggies. As the leaves change color on the trees that line the farms and fields in Holmes County, the scenery looks beautiful. Berlin, Walnut Creek, and Der Dutchman Restaurant are all interesting places to stop. The busiest time is from late September to early October.

Tip: If you want to try real Amish food, go to Der Dutchman Restaurant in Walnut Creek.

State Route 13

In southeast Ohio, this scenic path goes through the Wayne National Forest and gives you stunning views of the leaves changing colors. With its rolling hills and thick woods, State Route 13 shows off a wide range of fall colors, making for an unforgettable drive. Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, Shade River State Forest, and Pine Creek Gorge are some of the most interesting places to visit. The best time to take this drive is in the middle of October.

Tip: At the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, take a hike on the Bicentennial Trail.

State Route 7

Along the Cuyahoga River and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, this trail winds through the Cuyahoga Valley between Cleveland and Akron. In the fall, the colors are beautiful. You’ll go through a variety of scenery, from wooded valleys to open meadows. You can stop and enjoy the beautiful fall views at Brandywine Falls, Happy Days Lodge, and Indigo Lake. The best color is from late September to mid-October.

Take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to enjoy the fall scenery in a calm way.

Interstate 77

But that’s not all. I-77’s route south from Cleveland goes through rolling hills and dense woods, making for some beautiful fall scenery. Between Dover and Marietta is the most beautiful part. Along this stretch of highway, maple, oak, ash, beech, and hickory trees change their colors to warm fall colors, making for a beautiful show. Take this drive between early and mid-October for the best views.

Pro Tip: Stop at Seneca Lake Park to admire the reflection of the fall colors on the water.

That’s all there is to it: 5 great road trips to see Ohio’s beautiful fall scenery. Just make sure you do it at the right time, because the colors tend to fade quickly after they peak. I hope that my years of traveling around the Midwest have helped you find the most beautiful fall views in the area. Get your camera ready and your bags ready for a road trip through Ohio’s beautiful fall scenery that you will never forget! Please let me know if you need any more vacation ideas for the Midwest.

Conclusion

Ohio has a beautiful show of fall foliage that makes it a must-see for nature lovers and people who love road trips. In the fall, the state’s varied landscapes, from rolling hills to dense woods, look like a bright patchwork of red, orange, and yellow colors.

You can see the beautiful changes in Ohio’s woods and feel the fall charm of the Midwest by taking a drive along the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, the Amish Country Byway, State Route 13, State Route 7, or Interstate 77. I hope you like reading “Ohio Stunning Fall Foliage – Top 5 Road Trips to See Autumn Colors in the Midwest”.