Ohio is the only state in the nation to land two parks on USA TODAY’s 2026 10BEST Readers’ Choice list for the best places to see fall colors, giving leaf peepers double the reason to stay in the Buckeye State this autumn.
Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio earned the No. 2 spot in the country, while Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio came in at No. 4, both voted on by USA TODAY readers alongside famed foliage destinations in New England, Upstate New York and Pennsylvania.
The awards praised the Hocking Hills region for its rocky outcroppings and sweeping views that show off warm autumn colors. The area also hosts two big fall festivals, the Bob Evans Farm Festival and the Circleville Pumpkin Show, both built around celebrating the season.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, stretching between Akron and Cleveland, offers 33,000 acres of fall color. According to the awards, the best leaf peeping comes in late October, though visitors can enjoy the show all month: Oak Hill Trail at the start of the month, Brandywine Falls in the middle, and the Ledges Overlook toward the end.
Standout sights include red, yellow and orange maple leaves, red-leafed dogwoods and yellowing aspens, with prime viewing spots around Kendall Lake and the Everett Covered Bridge.
With peak color still weeks away, park officials say now is the time to plan a trip, book lodging and check festival schedules before the crowds arrive.
