I'm already hearing from friends who report seeing some of the dreaded white stuff covering the ground in some of the northern reaches of the Midwest, and the fall color report for Ohio shows the fall foliage at peak color this week...so NOW is the time to head on over to Mohican State Park to see the park at its colorful peak.
Although the park offers plenty to do year round, here are a few spots in Mohican State Park that seem to lend themselves particularly well to viewing the fall color:
Covered Bridge- The bridge is one of the most recognizable sites at the park. This picturesque bridge, built in 1968, combines the best of traditional covered bridge styling and modern construction techniques with a steel and concrete structure clad with native woods from the Mohican State Forest. There are picnic sites and several trail heads around the bridge, making it a great departure point for a fall hike through the area.
Fire Tower-The Ohio Department of Natural Resources suggests fire towers like this one in Mohican as great places from which to view and photograph the fall foliage. This is one of only eight historic fire towers left in Ohio.
I was done climbing after a few flights...and Tim wasn't having any of it!
Gorge Overlook-Climbing a tall fire tower sound a little too ambitious? Check out Mohican's Gorge Overlook for a great, and accessible, view of the 400-foot-deep gorge. The National Park Service designated this overlook as a National Scenic Landmark, and the two overlook areas at Mohican make great places for photographers to visit and capture some images. There is also a picnic shelter at the overlook area.
North Picnic Shelter-There are many structures and land marks constructed throughout parks and other public places in Ohio by the Civilian Conservation Corps or Works Progress Administration during the 1930s, and this picnic shelter at Mohican is one of them. The rustic brick structure has a fireplace, making for a picturesque scene or a nice place for a quick meal or snack at the end of your park explorations.
Although Mohican may be best known as the "Camp and Canoe Capital of Ohio" and the fall season can be fleeting, you can still find plenty of places to stay and plenty to enjoy at Mohican State Park as the autumn turns into winter (yes, I just said the "w" word!). And yes, there are even a few places to camp or stay in a cottage at the park year round!
There is, of course, the Mohican State Park Lodge, which has nearly 100 rooms, spacious common and conference areas, plus displays of some of the nature specimens common to the area so you can enjoy them from the warm comfort of the Mohican Lodge's lobby if that is more your speed.
Speaking of speed, maybe you'll want to scout out the park's Snowmobile Trail and other trails for that winter activity in the nearby Mohican State Forest.
Check out the Discover Mohican site or Facebook page for more ideas about seasonal events and other year-round attractions in the area.
As always, I suggest year-round explorers take a copy of Delormre's Ohio Atlas and Gazetteer along for the trip. An in-car GPS can be a great way to find your way around the area, but there are some times when having the hard-copy guide is the best way to plan your trip and find new things to discover as you go!
Thanks to Xanterra Parks and Resorts and Mohican State Park Lodge, which provided lodging, meals and on-site activities for my review, with no further compensation. I was free to express my own opinion about my stay and experiences, and the opinions expressed here are mine.
© Dominique King 2015 All rights reserved
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