Enjoy the best fall colors at Lake Metroparks
Fall Family Overlook at Chapin Forest Reservation. Photo credit: Andrew Cross
By Becky Parkin, Lake Metroparks
One of the most striking aspects of northeast Ohio is the stunning fall colors. Yellow, orange, red, and purple are just some of the beautiful colors you can see in the forests of Lake County. Whether you want to walk miles to find them or enjoy the view from a trail cart, these views are not to be missed! Try out some of our favorite hikes in Lake Metroparks to take in the majesty nature has to offer.
Chapin Forest Reservation
With a panoramic view of everything from Lake Erie to the Cleveland skyline, the view of fall colors is one of the best overlooks anywhere.
Enter from State Route 306 (Chillicothe Road) and drive to the end of the parkway. Lucky Stone Loop Trail begins at the Ledges picnic area and takes you to the highest elevations in the park.
Enter from Hobart Road and access Arbor Lane Loop Trail from the parking lot. Hike this gravel trail until it intersects with Lucky Stone Loop and hike to the overlook.
Girdled Road Reservation
Enter from State Route 608 (Concord Hambden Road). Stroll Skok Meadow Loop Trail to the scenic overlook and deck. A meadow of 30 acres of native wildflowers unfolds before you with many flowers blooming through late summer and into the fall. Enjoy this peaceful view with the backdrop of trees lining the Big Creek valley.
A much larger paved parking lot has been added and a paved trail connects it to the ADA accessible deck. This will be a great place to take in fall color overlooking the Big Creek Valley. Donations contributed by family and friends to honor Kent A. Young assisted with construction costs of the overlook deck.
Hell Hollow Wilderness Area
Enter from Leroy Center Road and walk Beech Ridge Loop Trail to a stunningly unique overlook of the Paine Creek valley, more than 200 feet below.
Indian Point Park
Enter from the upper parking lot on Seeley Road and hike along Point Overlook Loop Trail. Lookout Ridge Scenic Trail will provide a spectacular view over the Grand River valley and the hillsides will be alive with colorful leaves.
Pete’s Pond Preserve
Enter Pete’s Pond off of Rockefeller Road and drive to the back of Wickliffe High School parking lot. As you stroll Carriage Lane Trail, you will slowly become engulfed in beautiful yellow fall colors. This two-mile round-trip trail takes you into the heart of a beautiful northeast Ohio woods.
Information about these and other parks can be found at goto.lakemetroparks.com/parks. Park trail maps are available to download at goto.lakemetroparks.com/hiking.
Binge Walk your Parks
Hiking in the great outdoors provides exercise and interest for people of any age. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to exercise and see nature. Get outside and hit the trails! Lake Metroparks encourages you to binge walk your parks throughout the year.
Check out the fall colors hike and scavenger hunt at goto.lakemetroparks.com/bingewalk.
One of the most striking aspects of northeast Ohio is the stunning fall colors. Yellow, orange, red, and purple are just some of the beautiful colors you can see in the forests of Lake County. Whether you want to walk miles to find them or enjoy the view from a trail cart, these views are not to be missed! Try out some of our favorite hikes in Lake Metroparks to take in the majesty nature has to offer.
Chapin Forest Reservation
With a panoramic view of everything from Lake Erie to the Cleveland skyline, the view of fall colors is one of the best overlooks anywhere.
Enter from State Route 306 (Chillicothe Road) and drive to the end of the parkway. Lucky Stone Loop Trail begins at the Ledges picnic area and takes you to the highest elevations in the park.
Enter from Hobart Road and access Arbor Lane Loop Trail from the parking lot. Hike this gravel trail until it intersects with Lucky Stone Loop and hike to the overlook.
Girdled Road Reservation
Enter from State Route 608 (Concord Hambden Road). Stroll Skok Meadow Loop Trail to the scenic overlook and deck. A meadow of 30 acres of native wildflowers unfolds before you with many flowers blooming through late summer and into the fall. Enjoy this peaceful view with the backdrop of trees lining the Big Creek valley.
A much larger paved parking lot has been added and a paved trail connects it to the ADA accessible deck. This will be a great place to take in fall color overlooking the Big Creek Valley. Donations contributed by family and friends to honor Kent A. Young assisted with construction costs of the overlook deck.
Hell Hollow Wilderness Area
Enter from Leroy Center Road and walk Beech Ridge Loop Trail to a stunningly unique overlook of the Paine Creek valley, more than 200 feet below.
Indian Point Park
Enter from the upper parking lot on Seeley Road and hike along Point Overlook Loop Trail. Lookout Ridge Scenic Trail will provide a spectacular view over the Grand River valley and the hillsides will be alive with colorful leaves.
Pete’s Pond Preserve
Enter Pete’s Pond off of Rockefeller Road and drive to the back of Wickliffe High School parking lot. As you stroll Carriage Lane Trail, you will slowly become engulfed in beautiful yellow fall colors. This two-mile round-trip trail takes you into the heart of a beautiful northeast Ohio woods.
Information about these and other parks can be found at goto.lakemetroparks.com/parks. Park trail maps are available to download at goto.lakemetroparks.com/hiking.
Binge Walk your Parks
Hiking in the great outdoors provides exercise and interest for people of any age. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to exercise and see nature. Get outside and hit the trails! Lake Metroparks encourages you to binge walk your parks throughout the year.
Check out the fall colors hike and scavenger hunt at goto.lakemetroparks.com/bingewalk.