Free & Low-Cost Fall Fun Guide 2025
Saying goodbye to summer is never easy, but the best part about fall along the Great Miami Riverway is the opportunity to enjoy cooler temperatures, add cozy layers back into your wardrobe, and to enjoy some leisurely walks and hikes where you can soak in the beautiful colors of the season. The spots to take in stunning, picturesque sites are endless, but we’ve gathered four of our favorites that will have you saying “So long, Summer” and “It’s Fall, Y’all!” in no time.
In this guide, we offer some suggestions for places to hike, events to plan for, and places to go that will bring on those fall vibes without burning up too much cash.
Fall Hiking & Leaf Peeping
There are so many amazing parks, and of course the 100+ miles of Great Miami River Recreation Trail that you can visit to get some of the best fall views around. Southwest Ohio's peak fall color is typically around mid-October to November, and Ohioans take fall color so seriously that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources even has a fall colors progress map to track the leaves changing every year. Here are a few recommendations to plan your leaf peeping adventures along the Great Miami Riverway:
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You can walk, bike, run, or hike at the easy trails of Crain’s Run Nature Park. With wide scenic views, this 34-acre forested park borders the Great Miami River and the Great Miami Recreation Trail. Most of the park is forested and includes hiking trails that wind through the woods while the remainder is mown parkland. Adjoining the park property, just across the road at the south end of the park, is a restored canal lock that was built in 1829 as part of the Miami-Erie Canal system. |
Hike the trails at Shawnee Lookout to take in the amazing scenic vistas of the Great Miami River valley. The park is well known for its historical Springhouse School and Log Cabin as well as its Native American archaeological earthworks. The park's nature trails offer spectacular views of the Ohio River and Great Miami River valleys.
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Climb to the top of the Miamisburg Mound - one of two tallest adena mounds in the US. The mound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is visible from several miles away. Steps have been built to the top observation platform, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the area. Afterwards, you can go explore downtown Miamisburg and check out their new Riverfront Park. |
Hike Charleston Falls Nature Preserve to see beautiful waterfalls and wildflowers. Miami County's most visited park, this picturesque destination is the perfect place to hike and watch the lush green forest explode with color. |
Check out more parks on the interactive map
Annual Fall Celebrations
There are several annual fall celebrations that our communities look forward to every year, filled with farm fun, cider, and entertainment:
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Tipp City Mum Festival
2025 Dates: September 27 & 28 | Website |
Downtown Sidney Fall Festival An annual free community event in downtown Sidney that includes a chocolate walk, craft show, kid's costume contest, and more. 2025 Dates: October 10 & 11 | Website |
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Miami County Park District’s Fall Farm Fest
This annual event at Lost Creek Reserve is a celebration of Miami County’s agricultural heritage. The two-day event typically features a range of free and low-cost fall fun like a corn maze, wagon rides, children’s games, and various farm-themed demonstrations like apple cidering and rope making. Other highlights include farm animal exhibits, vendor booths, and the beloved Kiddie Tractor Pull, where kids compete for trophies. 2025 Dates: October 11 & 12 | Website |
Operation Pumpkin – Pumpkin & Art Festival
This is an annual celebration during October in Hamilton, famous for its giant pumpkin weigh-off competition, one of the biggest in the country. With hundreds of unique artisan and food vendors every year, tons of amazing pumpkin carving art, and live entertainment, this is a celebration you don’t want to miss. 2025 Dates: October 10, 11am to 10pm & October 11, 11am to 5pm | Website |
Look for more upcoming events on our event calendar
Visiting Local Farms
Another thing to look forward to is visiting area farms for their fresh apple cider, pumpkin patches, and wagon rides that go on all season long!
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Garver Family Farm Market Founded in 1926, the Garver family embraced their calling as stewards of the land. Nearly a century later, this commitment continues, evolving alongside the local community. At the heart of Garver Family Farm Market lies a dedication to preserving farmland, educating the community about the origins of their food, and cultivating high-quality, wholesome products that connect field to table. |
Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market
The Barn-n-Bunk is a family-owned farm established in 1992. This unique farm market has an array of foods and crafts available such as: a blending of home grown fresh produce, Baked goods from a local baker, cheeses and jellies, honeys, pickled products and specialty mixes. Barn-n-Bunk Farm Market is open from March through December. From September through October, there are Fall Festival Weekends to go enjoy! For only $10, a children's activity package includes wagon rides, corn maze, combine slide, mini train rides, batting gages, climbing wall, and more. Food, pottery painting, petting zue, and of course... pumpkins. |
