This Underrated Ohio State Park Might Be The Best Spot For Fall Leaf Peeping In The Buckeye State
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 28, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s nothing quite like fall in Ohio, when the landscape of the Buckeye State comes alive with color. All across the state, there are amazing places to catch the seasonal sea change as it happens: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hocking Hills, and Amish Country are perennial fall favorites for Ohio leaf peepers. But don’t discount our Ohio State Parks in terms of fall foliage swagger; there are some treasures hidden in the state that, come autumn, turn into sublime seasonal scenes. Lake Alma State Park is one such gem; in fact, this underrated Ohio State Park might just be the best spot for fall leaf peeping in the state!
At just under 300 acres, Lake Alma State Park is a small and peaceful member of the Ohio State Parks that, while revered for its eponymous lake in the summertime, is criminally overlooked during the other seasons of the year...
This park isn't known for strenuous hiking trails or rugged outdoor recreation; rather, it's a favorite spot for a leisurely afternoon spent fishing or wildlife watching.
Each fall, however, Lake Alma State Park puts on quite the show, with its abundant foliage turning the most glorious shades of golden yellow, ruby red, and pumpkin orange.
Five trails cross the park, and none are over 1.5 miles in length. The Lake Loop Trail is a popular trail for avian enthusiasts and fall leaf peepers; this trek takes you right into the heart of the lushest landscapes in the park!
A beautiful bridge provides a peaceful place for birding or simply savoring your scenic surroundings. This Ohio State Park is such a hidden gem, you might have it all to yourself, except for...