As an Ohio landscape photographer few seasons in Ohio stir the soul quite like autumn. From rolling farmland framed by crimson maples to quiet park trails brushed with golden light, fall transforms the familiar into the unforgettable. As a landscape photographer, I’ve found myself drawn again and again to these fleeting weeks when the land is painted in warmth and contrast. The experience is more than color alone, it’s about light, atmosphere, and the quiet moments when nature seems to pause just long enough to let us marvel.
In this blog, I’ll share some of my favorite places across Ohio to experience and photograph fall. These spots hold personal meaning for me as a photographer. They’re also destinations where anyone can slow down and take in the season. You might even discover your own inspiration.
Greene County, Autumn View: Dayton’s Famous Tree Tunnel
One of the prettiest fall scenes I’ve found so far lies near Bellbrook, Ohio in Sugarcreek MetroPark. Osage Oranges once served as an old fence line before Barb wire was invented. They assisted farmers in keeping cattle corralled. Today, this tree tunnel of Osage Oranges serve as a visual delight to park visitors. As a landscape photographer, this shot took persistence where I eventually captured all the elements after my fourth trip. It’s a scene that reminds us why fall mornings are worth the early start.
Montgomery County Fall Trail: A Gift from Marie Aull
I recently read that a man doesn’t plant a tree for himself, but rather for those that own the land after him. This seemed to be the mindset of John and Marie Aull who loved gardening and philanthropy. After John’s passing, Marie Aull donated her land to what today is called Aullwood MetroPark, near Englewood Ohio. This forest footpath meanders behind their home. On this autumn evening, the sun backlights the changing leaves which seemed to make them glow. In autumn, this open lawn becomes a quiet sanctuary, a place where light and shadow stretch across the grass in shifting patterns.
Knox County under Autumn Glow: An Ohio Covered Bridge in Fall
Visiting the Bridge of Dreams Covered Bridge, near Brinkhaven, Ohio, was a planned stop, but I still hadn’t envisioned this peaceful scene. When I first arrived, a few visitors dwelled in the scene as they explored this iconic covered bridge as it spans the Mohican River. My long list of Ohio points of interest wasn’t getting any shorter, but I hung tight and patiently waited them out. As I finished my shots, I was walking back to my truck, when I noticed a small dot about a mile away moving towards the bridge. With a long lens I began to understand the shot that would unfold in front of me in about 3 minutes. I composed my image and waited. I like this shot as it provides this Amish buggy driver privacy but still provides that nostalgic reminder of travel, trade, and community from another era. Surrounded by the brilliant hues of October, the bridge becomes more than a structure; it’s a symbol of how Ohio blends heritage with natural beauty. Visitors often call this one of the best fall color spots in the state.
Morgan County Fall Surprise: A Peaceful Ohio Country Church
This scene was a happy accident. I was driving along Ohio State Route 377 in Morgan County when I rounded a curve and saw this quaint Ohio scene in the distance. Thickening clouds were dulling the surround autumn leaves when a shaft of light illuminated the Todd’s Community Church, near Stockport Ohio. This church was nestled among the rolling golden hills of Morgan County. I first noted its white steeple contrasts beautifully with the fiery reds and golds of the trees nearby. I loved the sense of tradition rooted in this place — small churches like this have long anchored rural Ohio communities. Photographing it in autumn light brought out a harmony between faith, history, and nature. It’s one of those stops where Ohio’s scenic drives become more than sightseeing; they become moments of reflection.
Adams County Landmark: Historic Serpent Mound with Autumn Seasoning
The Serpent Mound, near Peebles, is one of Ohio’s most significant landmarks, a sacred earthwork that has drawn wonder for centuries. Visiting in late autumn, the trees had dropped their vibrant leaves in short order, adding yellow accents to the green grass. The view from an 114-year old steel tower the revealed the sweeping sinuous curves — ancient and enduring. The state closed this tower a few months later. This tower wobbled so much, I understand their decision. Still, photographing here in autumn felt like capturing both ancient history and nature in conversation. For anyone exploring Ohio’s fall landscapes, this UNESCO Heritage Site combines native American history with scenery unlike anywhere else.
Miami County Colors: Bike Path Through a Parade of Autumn Colors
Today’s it’s called Linear Park but historically it’s known as the Piqua’s Hydraulic Canal Run.
This bike path is one of those hidden gems that reveals itself best in autumn. The walking path threads alongside the canal, surrounded by trees that blaze with oranges and yellows. On my visit, the reflection I loved was how the canal trail leads the eye under bountiful Ohio color. This was a place where locals paused to breathe in the season, and where a photographer could linger, finding balance between light and form. In fall, it feels like every step is a reminder of Ohio’s quiet beauty.
Gallia County Nostalgia: Bicentennial Barn Surrounded by Autumn Colors
The red barns of Ohio are iconic, but the Bicentennial Barns hold a special place in the state’s story. In Gallia County, this barn stands proudly against a backdrop of rolling hills, and in autumn those hills ignite with brilliant color. I wanted to capture the barn not only as a symbol of Ohio’s agricultural heritage but also as part of the larger fall landscape. On this day, the sky stretched wide and blue, making the reds of the barn and the leaves even richer. It’s a classic Ohio view — familiar, yet always worthy of a second look.
Greene County Fall Colors: The Yellow Springs Peaceful Waterfall
Glen Helen Nature Preserve is a favored peaceful spot for its natural wonders and photogenic intimate scenes. For me, autumn transforms these grounds into a woodland masterpiece. Here, the Yellow Springs themselves glisten under the canopy of brilliant golden leaves, their mineral-rich waters reflecting hints of the season above. I timed my visit for peak color, and the combination of water, stone, and forest created a harmony that felt distinctly Ohioan. Photographing this scene was as much about patience as it was about framing — letting the light shift and revealing paint the rock outcrop in warm autumn light. It’s no wonder Glen Helen Nature Preserve, and the surrounding Yellow Springs remains a destination for Ohio leaf peeping.
Montgomery County Views – Rare All Hallows’ Eve Moonrise over Deeds Carillon
Sometimes autumn offers surprises that can’t be planned. On Halloween night, I watched a rare full moon rise over Deeds Carillon, one of Dayton’s most striking landmarks. The trees, still wrapped in late-season color, framed the tower perfectly as dusk turned to night. It was a fleeting balance — the season’s fading leaves, the glow of the moon, and the timeless cadence of the carillon bells. For me, this image blends the mystery of autumn evenings with the rooted traditions of place. Moments like these remind us that Ohio’s fall landscapes are as much about the skies as the trees.
Hocking County in Peak Color: Ash Cave Panorama
Ash Cave is one of the crown jewels of Hocking Hills, and in autumn it becomes a cathedral of color. The sandstone walls stretch high above, while maples and oaks spill their brilliance across the forest floor. On this visit, the combination of golden leaves and soft afternoon light created a scene both dramatic and serene. Photographing this panorama allowed me to show the vastness of the cave and the way autumn tucked itself into every corner. Visitors often call this one of the best fall color spots in Ohio — and standing there, it’s easy to see why.
Bringing Ohio’s Autumn Beauty Home
These ten favorite fall spots remind me why I’m proud to be an Ohio landscape photographer. Each location — from exhilarating tree tunnels of Osage orange to the grand sandstone walls of Ash Cave — carries its own story of the season. For leaf peepers, Ohio offers more than a single week of peak color; it’s a rolling wave that sweeps across the state, creating new views with every turn of the road. Whether you’re chasing scenic drives, hiking through state parks, or simply pausing in your hometown, autumn in Ohio never fails to deliver inspiration.
If one of these scenes speaks to you, consider bringing a piece of Ohio’s fall color into your home or office. My fine art prints are designed to personalize spaces with images that reflect both beauty and place. Explore the gallery below for ordering options — and perhaps find the perfect print that captures your own connection to Ohio’s autumn landscapes.
