Printer Friendly Version Fall Colors in Lake Metroparks

As seen on Kickin' it with Kenny on FOX 8 News in the Morning

Chapin Forest Reservation • Girdled Road Reservation

Indian Point Park • Veterans Park • Other scenic vistas in Lake Metroparks

Lake Metroparks Chapin Forest Reservation
Entrances off Rt. 306 and Hobart Rd.
Kirtland, Ohio

The 390 acres of Chapin Forest Reservation are known for distinctive rock formations and majestic forests. Wander through 5.3 miles of mature woodland trails comprised of beech, maple, oak, tulip and hemlock. Stop by Quarry Pond and walk Lucky Stone Loop Trail.

Trail by overlook

Overlook at Chapin Forest Reservation

Riding trails on horseback

Driving through autumn at Chapin Forest Reservation

Girdled Road Reservation
Entrances off Girdled Road, Radcliffe Road, and Concord-Hambden Road (Rt. 608)
Concord Twp, Ohio

Within the 932 acres of Girdled Road Reservation visitors can experience the beauty of many different types of habitats-dense forests, fields and wetlands. Audubon Ohio has designated this park as an Important Bird Area.

Overlook at Girdled Road Reservation

Trail at Girdled Road Reservation

Overlook at Big Creek Valley at Girdled Road Reservation

Pond at Girdled Road Reservation

Indian Point Park
Entrances off Seeley Road
Leroy Twp, Ohio

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, Indian Point has one of the earliest architectural works in this part of Ohio. A tribe from the Whittlesey Culture lived here; a Whittlesey structure was built on the 100-foot ridge between Paine Creek and the Grand River. Two parallel mounds of their earthworks can be seen.

Paine Creek at Indian Point Park

Indian Point in Fall - Paine Creek

Indian Point Park Trail

Grand River Valley at Indian Point Park

Lake Metroparks Veterans Park
Entrance off Hopkins Road
Mentor, Ohio

Veterans Park protects the largest inland pond in the county and a remnant of original Ohio swamp forest. The park offers four accessible fishing piers, a 1.78-mile loop trail though native wetlands with 830 feet of boardwalk, and a wetland/ wildlife viewing area.

Granger Pond is generally stocked with catfish, bass, bluegill and rainbow trout. A valid fishing license from the state of Ohio is required to fish at Veterans Park.

Fall fishing at Veterans Park

Autumn colors at Veterans Park

Looking through fall leaves at Veterans Park - photo by Moira Fellows

Fall trees reflected in Granger Pond at Veterans Park

Scenic Vistas

Lake Metroparks preserves and provides access to incredible views

Lake County is a beautiful place to live and work. Some of the unique natural features and landscapes include Lake Erie, the Grand River and Chagrin River valleys, Little Mountain, Mentor Marsh and the vineyards of southern Madison.
Lake Metroparks’ skilled craftsmen have constructed several observation decks and overlook areas that offer snapshots of some of Lake County’s most impressive features. These stops along park trails allow visitors to take a moment—or longer—to reflect on the county’s best scenic views preserved for all to enjoy.

Click here to see seven scenic spots to visit

Looking for more places to view fall colors this autumn?

Take a trip on self-guided hikes in search of stunning autumn views in parks across Northeast Ohio. Radiant reds, outstanding oranges and amazing ambers await.

Gully Brook Park • Photo by Chris Kirsch Smith-Holladay

Cleveland Metroparks
216-635-3200
www.clemetparks.com

Tinkers Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook and Little Overlook Located off Gorge Parkway, between Dunham and Egbert roads in Bedford Reservation, Cuyahoga County
	Enjoy the breathtaking autumn view from the overlook of Tinkers Creek Gorge, a national natural landmark. Little Overlook also offers spectacular views of beautiful Tinkers Creek Gorge, a quarter-mile west of Egbert Picnic Area in Bedford Reservation. Click here for more information
Rocky River Reservation, Fort Hill - Cedar Point Rocky River Nature Center is located at 24000 Valley Parkway, north of Cedar Point Road in North Olmsted, Cuyahoga County
	Enjoy a marvelous vista of the East and West branch confluence of the Rocky River at Fort Hill, directly behind the Rocky River Nature Center. Click here for more information

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
216-524-1497
www.nps.gov/cuva

Brandywine Falls & Brandywine Gorge Trail Located on Brandywine Road, between Highland and Twinsburg roads in Sagamore Hills, CVNP
	Brandywine Falls and the1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail are great places to observe autumn colors at their peak, typically during the first two weeks in October. Click here for more information
Oak Hill Trail Located on Oak Hill Road, 1.3 miles south of Major Road in Peninsula, CVNP
	The 1.5-mile trail is abundant with fall color, typically during the last week in September when autumn colors are highlighted with the magnificent reds of the red maple and striking yellows of the white ash and big-tooth aspen. Click here for more information

Erie MetroParks
419- 625-7783
www.eriemetroparks.com

Edison Woods MetroPark 10186 Ceylon Rd (SR 61), Berlin Heights, OH  44814
	The trail system at Edison Woods allows visitors to appreciate marshy meadows, wet woodlands and sandstone cliffs. The Reserve is also home to a vast array of wildflowers, rare plants, amphibians and reptiles. The natural resources of Edison Woods are protected. Please take only photographs and leave only footprints. Click here for more information

Geauga Park District
440-286-9516
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org

Big Creek Park Located at 9160 Robinson Road in Chardon, Geauga County
	This 642-acre park with mature forests bursts with a myriad of colors in the fall months. People of all abilities can enjoy a great diversity of hiking experiences, from a fully accessible trail loop to a rugged trek through the river valley of Big Creek. Click here for more information
Beartown Lakes Reservation Located at 18870 Quinn Road, Auburn & Bainbridge townships, Geauga County
	This 149-acre park features a mature beach-maple forest and includes three interconnecting lakes, a pond and a small stream to catch and reflect the autumn colors. Lower Bear Lake is circled by a fully accessible trail. Click here for more information
Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve Located at 15681 Old Rider Road, Burton & Newbury townships, Geauga County
	This 287-acre park features a glacial lake ringed with a bog – a rare northern wetland type. Lake Kelso turns color earlier than surrounding forests and offers spectacular viewing from the park’s observation deck, as trees and shrubs such as red maple, black gum, blueberry, tamarack and poison sumac add brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. The possibility of seeing migratory waterfowl adds that much more to this natural gem. Click here for more information

Lake Metroparks
440-639-7275
www.lakemetroparks.com

Chapin Forest Reservation Located at 10090 Chillicothe Road (Rt. 306) and 10381 Hobart Road in Kirtland
J Dell Photography	The 390 acres of Chapin Forest Reservation are known for distinctive rock formations and majestic forests. Wander through 5.3 miles of mature woodland trails comprised of beech, maple, oak, tulip and hemlock. Hike along Lucky Stone Loop Trail and walk along the scenic overlook with a view toward Cleveland. On a clear day, you can look out and see downtown. Click here for more information
Penitentiary Glen Reservation Located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland
Don Kemp	This beautiful nature preserve features 424 acres of forest, fields, wetlands, and over 7.5 miles of hiking trails The trails lead along the cool, shaded hemlock ridge of a deep gorge and through old field habitats and a mature hardwood forest. Stop along the Halle Home Loop Trail for views across the ravine over Stoney Brook. Click here for more information
Hell Hollow Wilderness Area Located at 14435 Leroy Center Rd. in Leroy
Frank Szekely	Walk along the half-mile Beechwood Loop Trail along a cliff above the Paine Creek valley and 262 timber steps that provide a dramatic descent to the creek valley. The more than 100-foot-deep ravine was carved thousands of years ago by Paine Creek after glaciers retreated from Ohio. This park offers impressive views of the 360 million year-old Chagrin Shale cliff above a deep river valley. Click here for more information
Indian Point Park Lower Lot: 12951 Seeley Road • Upper Lot: 13165 Seeley Road
Jeff Taipale	Listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, this park has one of the earliest architectural works in this part of Ohio. Lookout Ridge Trail offers steep valley viewing high above the Grand River and Paine Creek Click here for more information
Girdled Road Reservation North Entrance: 12898 Girdled Road; South Entrance: 12899 Radcliffe Road Concord Twp.
J Dell Photography	Within the 902 acres of Girdled Road Reservation visitors can experience the beauty of many different types of habitats-dense forests, fields and wetlands. Audubon Ohio has designated this park as an Important Bird Area. The Buckeye Trail, marked with light blue blazes on trees, runs through Girdled Road Reservation. Close to the North entrance, an overlook provides grand views of the Big Creek valley Click here for more information

Lorain County Metro Parks
1-800-LCM-PARK
www.metroparks.cc

Medina County Park District
330 722-9364
www.medinacountyparks.com

Metro Parks, Serving Summit County
330-865-8065
www.summitmetroparks.org

Stark County Park District
330-477-3552
www.starkparks.com

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