If fall is your favorite time of year, you’re not alone! Great weather, fun festivals, and Sunday football games make this season extraordinarily popular. But the main reason people love autumn is because of its spectacular colors. The Hocking Hills region of Ohio is particularly beautiful and offers plenty of opportunities for leaf-peeping. Whether you plan to hike, drive, or zip-line your way through the area, there are plenty of great ways to experience Hocking Hills fall foliage. Here are some of our favorites.
Find out more about fun activities near the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls when you download our free vacation guide. It’s full of information on the best things to do in the area, like viewing Hocking Hills fall foliage.
How to Enjoy Hocking Hills Fall Foliage
1. Hiking & Biking
The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is surrounded on three sides by Hocking Hills State Park, a peaceful area that’s perfect for hiking and biking. Visitors may traverse the trails and admire bright, colorful leaves, majestic hemlock and birch trees, and plenty of native wildlife.
While there are a number of hiking trails to choose from, we suggest the 2.5-mile Conkles Hollow Rim Trail. This route leads to the highest cliffs in the area and offers a breathtaking view of the treetops below. If you plan to explore by bike, take the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway which traces a twisting 20-mile course from Athens to Nelsonville along the Hocking River. Both routes provide ample opportunities for sightseeing so don’t forget your camera!
2. Driving
Another great way to enjoy Hocking Hills fall foliage is to drive through it! Several foliage tours will take you to the most postcard-worthy spots in the region. We recommend the 24-mile Skyline Drive Loop, the 32-mile South Bloomingville Loop, and the 32-mile Nelsonville Loop. The Lake Hope Loop is another scenic route that winds for 37.6 miles and takes about 50 minutes to complete.
3. Canopy Tours
For a thrilling adventure you’ll never forget, zip and zoom through the fall leaves with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. This fantastic zip line company offers a variety of tours including the Original Canopy Tour, the “X” Tour, Discovery Tours, and SuperZip. You’ll have a bird’s-eye view of the area’s unique geographical features like sandstone rock cliffs, recessed caves, and the meandering Hocking River, as well as colorful trees and vegetation.
When Do the Leaves Change in Ohio?
Although it varies from year to year, the best time to go leaf peeping in Hocking Hills is usually toward the middle of October. However, we think that the end of September is equally beautiful when bright fall hues contrast the lush, still-green leaves. Or, visit during the beginning or middle of November when the leaves begin to fall. The vistas of some bare bark trees and vivid leaves are pretty spectacular! To help you plan your trip, Ohio.com has a fall color map that describes peak viewing times and will give you a weekly color update.
Book Your Stay at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls!
Ready to unwind after a day of sightseeing? Come home to our Hocking Hills bed and breakfast and relax! Feel free to rest in one of our beautiful guest rooms, cottages, or cabins, then explore the property in all of its autumn splendor. You can even take in the view from our gorgeous rooftop garden. We look forward to seeing you this fall!
To learn more about Hocking Hills fall foliage, read our blog about visiting Ohio in the fall.