Fall Colors in Cincinnati, OH 2024

Fall is a magical time in Cincinnati with vibrant fall colors and festivals to cheer you up. Explore the beauty of the season in Cincinnati and beyond in places like Spring Grove Cemetery, Caldwell Nature Center, and Sharon Woods Park. To warm yourself up for the season, join the largest Oktoberfest in the US in late September. Then enjoy the city's transformation throughout the month of October.

Peak Season for Leaf Change in Cincinnati, Ohio

Southwest Ohio, where Cincinnati belongs, sees the first slight change in foliage color at the end of September and early October. The first week of October brings the first relatively solid promise of fall, but the colors are still somewhat patchy. The colors reach their peak by the third week of October; so, leaf peeing in Cincinnati is usually best in late October. Fall colors might linger well into November, but frequent rains end the fall foliage season abruptly.

Best Places to See Fall Leaves in Cincinnati

Cincinnati boasts numerous parks and gardens to take in the seasonal colors. Ault Park offers many recreational opportunities and scenic spots to witness fall foliage in the Little Miami River valley. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum serves as a unique opportunity to experience fall among historical buildings and gravestones. Caldwell Nature Preserve & Center and Sharon Woods Park are prime spots for hiking during the fall season, while Loveland Bike Trail is perfect for cyclists. Mt. Airy Forest features a gorgeous collection of trees and shrubs, which are adorned with fall colors in October.

Fall Foliage in Ault Park

One of the prime fall foliage spots closer to the city center is Ault Park. A dozen hiking trails, all about a mile long, offer walks suitable for all ages and abilities. Ault Park also boasts excellent views of the Kentucky hillsides across the Ohio River. To witness a variety of tree species, consider taking the 0.7-mile (1 km) trail, called Tree Trail, which begins near Observatory Circle, north of Ault Pavillion, a historical landmark and popular event venue.

Sycamores, bur and white oaks, sugar, and black maples, and hackberry trees all flaunt their golden, coppery, and fiery red leaves during fall. The cherry blossom tree grove at the junction of Observatory Road and Observatory Circle is especially beautiful in the spring but is also worth visiting in October when the leaves turn various shades of red, orange, and yellow. Ault Park is open from 6 am until 10 pm with free admission.

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum

A bit further from downtown, take a stroll or join a tour at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, where the beauty of sculpture and architecture meets the charm of the autumn trees. While this is an active cemetery, Spring Grove draws in hikers, runners, and walkers who want to enjoy nature. The grounds are open from 8 am until 6 pm throughout the year, except for summer when the gates close at 8 pm. The cemetery holds various events throughout the year, including the Fall Walking Tour, which will take place from 1 pm to 3 pm on October 20. Admission to the tour costs $5.

Caldwell Nature Preserve & Center

In this part of Cincinnati, you can also go to the Caldwell Nature Preserve & Center, where 3.5 miles (5.5 km) of the trail will take you through the exhibition of vivid maples, tulip poplars, ash, and elm trees, exposing the palette of yellow, orange, and red. The preserve is open from dawn until dusk, while the Nature Center operates only during scheduled events.

Sharon Woods Park

Sharon Woods Park in Hamilton County offers multiple spots for viewing the fall colors. Go on a hike on the Gorge Trail to see deep ravines and cascading waterfalls surrounded by maple, beech, hickory, and walnut trees. If you'd like to work out outdoors, there is a fitness trail, which lasts one mile (1.6 km) and is equipped with several exercise stations. The park is open year-round from dawn until dusk and requires a motor vehicle pass if you're driving. An annual motor vehicle pass costs $10 for residents of Hamilton County and $16 for non-residents.

Heritage Village Museum is located within the Sharon Wood Park. The museum features numerous exhibits from the 1800s, transporting you back to the rural life of Ohio. From 6 pm to 10 pm on October 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, you can attend the Haunted Village event, a ticket to which costs $15.

Loveland Bike Trail

If you are into cycling and would like to spend a day out of the city, go for a ride along the Loveland Bike Trail, a flat paved trail along the Little Miami River. Loveland Bike Trail is a segment of the 70-mile (110-km) Little Miami Scenic Trail that follows the old railway line and runs from Milford to Springfield, Ohio, through the Little Miami State Park. The park is shaped as a trail corridor offering picnic tables, restaurants, restrooms, and beautiful scenery along the way. The grounds are open from dawn until dusk.

Mt. Airy Forest

The best drive-around fall foliage viewing is in Mt. Airy Forest. All the roads in the area promise stunning leaf color. For spectacular crimson and purple hues, head to Ponderosa Ridge (areas 22 & 23), filled with sour gum trees. Mt. Airy Arboretum is situated within the premises of the forest and boasts a majestic collection of flora, including maples, magnolias, poplar, and willow trees. The arboretum operates from 6 am until 10 pm. Admission to the forest is completely free.

Before heading to Cincinnati for leaf-peeping, check the fall colors forecast and pick a place or two to make sure to catch the beauty of the season in the 'Nati.'