If you want any cute fall photos, you need to act quickly. The Buckeye State is close to peak fall color conditions, so this weekend really may be your last opportunity to enjoy the beautiful orange, red and yellow colors in full force.
Spectrum News 1 meteorologists said eastern Ohio is at peak right now and western Ohio is just about to hit peak, likely this weekend.
Because of the drought, we’re hitting peak season a little bit later than normal. But over the past two weeks, we did get just enough rain and cooler nights to allow for some vibrant colors, especially on walnut trees, sweetgums and dogwoods.
Mary Rouse, the director of outdoor experience for the Cleveland Metroparks, said you do not want to miss it.
“This to me is probably the prettiest time of year,” Rouse said. “Spring is lovely when things come alive, but right now the palette is just amazing. The yellows, the reds, the oranges. So get yourself out in the next couple of days, probably through this week. Hopefully, if we don't have too much rain or wind we'll still have some next week and all of the leaves drop and turn at different times of year. Your oaks tend to say a little bit later. So, all I can say is get out and enjoy.”
Ohio has 76 state parks for all of us to visit, and we even have the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so there are many places to visit to see the colors from multiple angles.
“Here in northeast Ohio, we have we are blessed with a number of really amazing places to watch, to see the colors. You can kind of take your pick whether you want to have a picture where you're up high and you've got the palette in the background, or you want to immerse yourself in the woods,” Rouse said. “My personal favorites here in Northeast Ohio; Bedford Reservation and Tinkers Creek Gorge, our beautiful Rocky River Reservation. You climb to the top of Fort Hill Steps, and you can look down into the valley. Euclid Creek Reservation over in Euclid, beautiful fall colors that are there as well.”
For more recommendations, you can visit here.