CENTRAL OHIO
Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve (Richland County) This nature
preserve features old growth beech-maple forest, which should produce
good fall color across the spectrum. There is a mile of
wheelchair-accessible boardwalk.
NORTH NORTHEAST
Lake Milton State Park (Mahoning County) Located at the juncture
of northern and southern eco-regions, this park features a rich
diversity of tree species, including hemlock, beech, maple, white oak
and hickory offering a rainbow of Fall Color. One mile of lakeshore
trail is wheelchair accessible.
Kent Bog State Nature Preserve (Portage County) This nature
preserve is home to the state’s largest stand of tamarack trees, and
features a half-mile of wheelchair-accessible trail.
Quail
Hollow State Park (Stark County) The Nature For All Trail is a
2,000-foot paved interpretive trail designed for visitors with
physical challenges. The surrounding landscape harbors a diverse mix
of wetland and prairie areas, along with coniferous and deciduous
woodlands that should provide a wash of autumn colors and textures.
Grand River State Wildlife Area (Trumbull County) Beech-maple
woodlands characterize this wildlife area, one of many in Ohio
accessible to those with physical challenges. It has 2 miles of
wheelchair-accessible trail.
Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve (Wayne County) Johnson Woods
is one of Ohio's largest and best remaining old-growth forests.
Several trees are more than 400 years old. Predominant varieties are
beech, maple, oak and hickory, promising a wide variety of fall hues.
There are 1.5 miles of wheelchair-accessible trail.
NORTHWEST
Independence Dam State Park (Defiance/Henry counties) A 3-mile
stretch of historic canal towpath meanders between the Miami & Erie
Canal and the Maumee River, lined by sycamore, black locust, beech and
maple trees. The trail is wide and level, with a natural earthen
surface. The full spectrum of Fall Color should be on display along
the shoreline.
Maumee Bay State Park (Lucas County) Much of the ecology of Maumee
Bay State Park reflects the region’s wealth of coastal wetlands, but
there are also wooded areas in the park. Six miles of paved multi-use
trail weave through the park and skirt the Lake Erie shoreline. A
2-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk next to the nature center takes
visitors through the swamp forest and marsh wetlands.
Mary Jane Thurston State Park (Henry/Wood counties) Located in the
Oak Openings area, this park boasts a swamp forest reminiscent of the
Great Black Swamp. One mile of gravel-topped trail, which once served
as a canal towpath, winds through woodlands alongside the Maumee
River.
Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve (Hardin County) An
exceptional diversity of trees is a key feature of this state nature
preserve, which has 1 mile of trail, the entire length of which is
wheelchair accessible. Drier portions of the forest feature oak and
hickory, while other areas are home to white, yellow, red, and bur
oaks, as well as beech, white ash, shagbark hickory, red maple, sugar
maple, and sycamore. A full array of Fall Color is certain to be on
display.
WEST - SOUTHWEST
Adams Lake State Park (Adams County) This small park offers nearly
a 1-mile wheelchair-accessible walking path around the southern shore
of the lake.
John Bryan State Park (Greene County) Approximately 1.5 miles of
trail, including the mile-long Arboretum Loop Trail and the half-mile
Orton Memorial Trail, are moderately accessible, though assistance is
suggested. A scenic overlook near the Wingo Picnic Area is wheelchair
accessible. More than 100 species of trees and shrubs grow the park,
including oaks, maples, cottonwoods, and sycamores.
Little Miami State Park (Greene/Warren/Clermont/Hamilton counties)
All 58 miles of the Little Miami State Park, Ohio’s only linear park,
are paved. The best wheelchair access points are at the Xenia Station,
Spring Valley, Corwin, Morrow, Loveland and Avoca Park trailheads.
Sections of this popular multi-use trail parallel the Little Miami
State and National Scenic River. In addition, there are accessible
parking lots, trail access points, public phones and restrooms. Huge
sycamores lining the riverbanks annually produce a beautiful palette
of yellows and golds.
Grand Lake St. Marys State Park (Auglaize/Mercer counties) Two
miles of trail are wheelchair-accessible at this park on Ohio’s
largest inland lake. Paved trails at the East Bank and Windy Point
areas offer great views of the lake and surrounding foliage, and are
close to accessible restroom facilities.
Hueston Woods State Park and Hueston Woods State Nature Preserve
(Butler/Preble counties) The nature preserve, located within the park,
features 200 acres of old-growth forest, with stately beech, sugar
maple, and white ash trees assuring a spectrum of Fall Color from
yellow to oranges and reds. It is a National Natural Landmark. A
half-mile of the Sugar Bush Trail within the “Big Woods” is moderately
accessible with assistance.
SOUTH SOUTHEAST
Barkcamp State Park (Belmont County) Located in the Appalachian
highlands, Barkcamp State Park boasts some of the oldest forest in the
state, in one of the first areas settled in Ohio. A half-mile of paved
wheelchair-accessible trail winds through the pioneer village, enters
the hardwood forest and leads to the Antique Barn.
Hocking Hills State Park and Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve
(Hocking County) The Hocking Hills region is among the best known
locations in Ohio to view spectacular Fall Color and interesting
geology. Although most of the trail system is challenging, there are
wheelchair-accessible trails leading to two of the most scenic
attractions in the area; Ash Cave and Conkle’s Hollow. A half-mile of
the Lower Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow is wheelchair accessible.
Lake Alma State Park (Vinton County) Located in the Appalachian
foothills, this region contains 70 percent of the state’s woodlands.
A magnificent oak forest is a key feature of the park. A 1-mile
paved, wheelchair-accessible path begins at the park entrance and ends
at the exit.