Ohio DNR Seasonal Events: Harvests, Haunts, Hunts and Hikes

By Lou Yuhasz on October 10th, 2009

Sunset over Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio
Image via Wikipedia

COLUMBUS, OH – It’s the season of falling leaves, harvest celebrations and haunting good times. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) welcomes Ohioans and out-of-state guests to enjoy autumn in the outdoors.
ODNR provides free access to 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 134 state nature preserves, which are great places for families and friends to celebrate fall.
Again this weekend, ODNR sites across the state will host special autumn events. Visitors can don costumes and face paint to take part in costume parades and have howling good times decorating pumpkins, campsites and scarecrows. There are even special haunted trails for those who are ready for a scare.
Sportsmen are reminded that deer archery season is in full swing and fall turkey season will open this weekend. ODNR provides free public access to some of the best hunting opportunities in the state, making it easy to engage in traditional outdoor activities with friends and family this fall.
There are also many boating opportunities available this fall. ODNR continues to improve and encourage public use and access to Ohio waterways. Take advantage of opportunities to sail Lake Erie’s western basin or paddle and explore the Little Miami River, Ohio’s first designated State Scenic River. Those who take to the water are reminded to wear life jackets for safety.
The special activities and outdoor recreation opportunities are great, but remember – getting there is half the fun. To make sure your trip is the best it can be, ODNR has mapped fall foliage travel routes, posted at www.ohiodnr.com, for trips that will take travelers through some of the best of Ohio’s fall landscapes.
Here are some upcoming ODNR autumn campouts, festivals and events:

Event
State Park
Region
Date
Details
Contact info
Halloween Campout
Harrison Lake State Park
NW
Oct.9-10
Costume parade, trick-or-treat, pumpkin carving, silent auction and a chili and vegetable soup lunch.
419-237-2593
Halloween Campout
Guilford Lake State Park
NE
Oct. 9-10
Campsite decorating, corn hole tourney, kids’ activities, trick-or-treat, haunted trail and potluck supper.
330-222-1712
Halloween Campout
Paint Creek State Park
SW
Oct. 9-10
Campsite decorating and costume contests, hay rides, trick or treat & a haunted trail.
937-981-7061 or 937-393-4284
Halloween Campout
Shawnee State Park
SW
Oct. 9-10
Pumpkin carving, trick or treat & a costume parade.
740-858-6652
Halloween Campout
Findley State Park
NE
Oct. 9-10
Scarecrow contest, pet parade, trick-or-treat, hayrides and potluck supper.
440-647-5749
Halloween Campout #2
East Harbor State Park
NW
Oct. 9-10
Scarecrow and decorated campsite contests, kids’ crafts and games, hayrides, haunted house, bonfire and cookout.
419-734-4424 ext. 2
Halloween Campout
Kiser Lake State Park
NW
Oct. 9-11
Hayrides, nature & haunted hikes, and the potato head launch.
937-362-3822 or (937) 362-3565
Fall Campout #2
Buck Creek State Park
SW
Oct. 9-11
Nature programs, crafts, games, contest, trick-or-treat and hayrides.
937-322-5284
Halloween Funfest and Campout
Punderson State Park
NE
Oct. 10
Costume and pumpkin contests, trick-or-treat, hayrides, games and campfire.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
Lake Hope State Park
SE
Oct. 10, 2-5 p.m.
At nature center. Continuous 20 minute rides.
740-596-3030
Autumn Lighthouse Festival
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
NW
Oct. 10, 10  a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic displays, entertainment, crafts, food & lighthouse tours.
419-734-4424 ext. 2 or www.lake-erie.com
Owl Prowl
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
(NW)
Oct. 10, 7 p.m…
At the day lodge. Live owl program and guided hike.
419-348-7679
Fall Festival & Campout
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
NW
Oct. 9-10
Moonlight movie, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building contest, floating doughnut contest, camper chili dinner and live owl program.
Natalie Miller at 419-348-7679
Halloween Campout
Kelleys Island State Park
NW
Oct. 10
Pumpkin carving, a campfire & movie.
419-746-2546
Haunted Film Festival
Beaver Creek State Park
NE
Oct.10, call for times.
(330) 382-9227
Fall Color Walk
Malabar Farm State Park
NE
Oct. 10, 10  a.m. – noon
2-mile hike.
419-892-2784
Halloween Festival #3
Hueston Woods State Park
SW
Oct. 10-11
Campsite decorating, games, Halloween treats & a haunted trail.
513-523-6347
Hayride & Harvest Moonlight Tour
Malabar Farm State Park
NE
Oct. 10, Noon-8 p.m.
30-minute hayride tours are $3/person. House tours offered at regular tour fee.
419-892-2784
Fall Color Canoe Tour
Van Buren State Park
NE
Oct. 11, 2-3:30 p.m.
$10/canoe suggested donation to Friends of Van Buren State Park. Pre-registration required by Oct. 8.
419-348-7679
Corn Husk Doll Workshop
Caesar Creek State Park
SW
Oct. 11, 2 p.m.
At the nature center. Corn husks provided. $10 fee; pre-register by Oct. 1.
513-897-2437

For more information about ODNR events and activities throughout the state this fall, visit www.ohiodnr.com and click on Fall Foliage. Additional fall events throughout Ohio can be found at discoverohio.com or by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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