Free Fun in Ohio's Hocking Hills Region

Fall's colors are headed for their peak, but there's still plenty of time and things to do for leaf-peepers throughout southeast Ohio's famous vacation destination region (event attendance free):

Hocking Hills State Park (740-385-6841 for information):

October 16th - Cedar Falls Stroll with the naturalist - 3pm

October 17th - Grandma Gatewood Trail Fall Color Hike - 1pm; join the naturalist at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center for a 6-mile hike (3-4 hours) from Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls.

October 17 - Johnny Appleseed's Apples - with parks' naturalist and Hocking Hills Orchard for a trip through local apple history. Meet at the cabin behind Old Man's Cave Visitor Center at approximately 4pm.

Lake Hope State Park (740-596-3030 for information):

October 17-30 - Annual Lake Hope State Park Fall Hike - 10am. 3-mile guided hikes, start at shelter house. Bean soup and cornbread served at hike's end, shuttles for return trip.

October 17 - Lake Hope State Park Horsedrawn Wagon Rides - 2pm to 5pm...ongoing 20-minute rides, meet at Nature Center

Also:

October 16th & 17^th, Nelsonville - Ohio Smoked/BBQ Festival - 6pm on Friday to 5pm on Saturday. $10,000 in cash prizes; Community Backyard BBQ Contest Friday evening is open to the general public. Car Show Saturday Noon-5. Information at 740-753-4346 and http://www.nelsonvillefd.org/ohiobbq.htm.

October 18 - Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day, 12-5pm. bRemembering the historic coal mining boom in the Hocking Valley region...in the gorgeous Wayne National Forest. Music, exhibits, quilt show, and comfort foods. Southern Local School Campus, Hemlock, Ohio; information at 866-394-3011.