Ohio has a robust state parks system that includes some nationally-recognized and sought-after places such as Hocking Hills. While beautiful, Hocking Hills attracts thousands (and thousands) of visitors each year, especially during the height of fall foliage. If you’re looking for a less-crowded leaf peeping experience in Ohio, Sycamore State Park is pretty darn perfect. Established in 1979, this small state park covers more than 2,300 acres of former farmland and features some of the best fall foliage in Ohio.

Sycamore State Park is one of the least-visited state parks in Ohio; an under-the-radar gem to even the most avid outdoor enthusiasts in the Buckeye State.
Khush Soni/Google Local
The park is located northwest of Dayton and is the only Ohio State Park in Montgomery County, in fact.
Trina Short/AllTrails
The small state park in Ohio spans a little over 2,300 acres, much of which used to be farmland. Today, though, it's a place of dense woodlands and foliage where native flora and fauna thrive.
Claire Staley/AllTrails

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The park's namesake comes from the huge sycamore trees lining the banks of Wolf Creek. During the autumn months, these trees change in perfect synchrony that, when reflected in the creek's glassy surface, create a beautiful scene far greater than the sum of its parts.
Rob Lamb/Google Local
There are a handful of trails that traverse Sycamore State Park; Ghost Hedge Nature Trail is a three-mile loop that packs a big punch of color during the fall.
Claire Staley/AlllTrails
For families with kids, Sycamore State Park added a Storybook Trail in 2021 that's a half-mile long and the perfect trek for little legs.
Ues/Google Local
While the hiking trails at Sycamore State Park each offer a different perspective of the region's glorious fall foliage, if you find yourself wanting to simply sit and take it all in, well, there are lots of benches and peaceful places to do that, too.
Rob Lamb/Google Local

Have you visited this small state park in Ohio before? I live in Cincinnati, and I must admit that this Ohio State Park is a relatively new discovery for me — but I’m so glad I’ve found it. During the height of fall foliage, Sycamore State Park is positively bursting with color and its location between Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus make it an easy fall day trip for lots of folks in Southwest Ohio! Lace up those hiking boots and experience all this Ohio State Park has to offer.

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Sycamore State Park, Diamond Mill Road, Dayton, OH, USA