Park Ranger Paul Motts invites you to tour Cuyahoga Valley National Park in October, as autumnal color illuminates the lowland and upland broadleaf forests with peak color during the second week of the month. Normally, the peak foliage is during the third week, although with a much drier than normal start to the season, it is likely to peak earlier this year. In addition, different trees peak at different times so it is possible to experience splendid autumn foliage all during this month.

Early October
Walk the inner loop of the Oak Hill Trail to experience the magnificent reds of the maples, glowing orange hues of the sassafras, and striking yellows of the white ash and big tooth aspens. This trail is especially scenic in the early morning as the large trees by Sylvan pond and in the open fields become sunlit.

Look for the large purple flowering New England aster, blue New York aster, and small white frost asters (so named for being able to survive the first frosts) in the fields on the Cross-country Trail and along the Towpath Trail.

Mid October
Brandywine Falls and the Brandywine Gorge Trail are great places to witness the color change. Here it is possible to experience the full fall foliage color spectrum, ranging from the brilliant reds of the sugar maples to the deep browns of the white oaks. This area is ideal for photography in the late afternoon.

Late October
The trails surrounding the Ledges in Virginia Kendall Park are great places to experience the late turning oaks. In addition, many hazelnut and witch hazel trees that fill the woods with yellow hues peak late as result of being low-growing trees in the dense forests.

October Fauna
On warm days listen for Ohio’s smallest frog, the spring peeper, calling out in the woodland forests. Small, harmless brown snakes, also known as DeKay snakes, attempt to warm themselves on the Towpath and upland trails. Later this month, large flocks of wood ducks use the Beaver Marsh early in the morning as a stopping ground on their southbound migrations to our southern Gulf of Mexico states.

Please remember that all wildlife is protected in the park, and take care not to harm these animals. When watching wildlife, please observe from a distance, and follow the park rules by not feeding the animals.

Year of International Astronomy: Early Dawn Display of Planets
Throughout the month, Venus continues to provide early risers with an intense display, appearing as the brightest object in the east 45 minutes before dawn. On the morning of October 8, look for Mercury and dimmer Saturn within a third of a degree apart approximately 10 degrees below Venus. On October 13, Venus is paired within a half of a degree of the considerably fainter, and slightly higher, Saturn, providing an opportunity to see both planets together with either a medium telescope or binoculars.