When Will Fall Color Peak in Ohio?

Updated Oct. 17, 2025

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources notes that fall color is beginning to appear throughout the tree canopies of Ohio but the autumn hues we expect this time of year are taking a little longer than normal. ODNR expects peak color will appear over the next few weeks. 

“The weather has definitely turned more fall-like with cooler temperatures, which I am hoping will help fall color progress a bit quicker now,” ODNR’s fall color forester David Parrott said in the agency’s Oct. 17, 2025 report on fall color. 

If you want to keep an eye on where fall color progresses from here, keep an eye on ODNR’s new-for-2025 Fall Color Tracker Map (below is a screenshot of what the map looked like on Oct. 17, 2025). 

Keep up with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ reports at the agency’s webpage dedicated to making the most of fall color.

Here are some ideas for how to take in the season as the leaves change from one end of the state to the other:

Take a Fall Color Tour of Ohio: Autumn is the most beautiful time of year here, so we asked photographers across the state to share a favorite image of the season and the story behind it.

Fall Color Tour: 16 Scenic Spots: From a lookout point high above Lancaster to a shot of the Milky Way across the treetops of the Hocking Hills, these 16 photographs show the Buckeye State at its most beautiful.

Ohio State Parks for Fall Hikes: Get up close and personal with fall leaves, one step at a time. These four state parks have colorful jaunts for hikers of every skill level. 

Fall Road Trips in Ohio: Explore more than 580 miles of autumn adventure with these five routes that offer plenty of history, hiking, family fun and more. 

For more Ohio travel inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters. 

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.