COLUMBUS, OHIO - It's the season of falling leaves, harvest celebrations and haunting good times. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) welcomes Ohioans and out-of-state guests to enjoy autumn in the outdoors.

ODNR provides free access to 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 134 state nature preserves, which are great places for families and friends to celebrate fall. Again this weekend, ODNR sites across the state will host special autumn events. Visitors can don costumes and face paint to take part in costume parades and have howling good times decorating pumpkins, campsites and scarecrows. There are even special haunted trails for those who are ready for a scare.

Sportsmen are reminded that deer archery and fall turkey seasons are in full swing. ODNR provides free public access to some of the best hunting opportunities in the state, making it easy to engage in traditional outdoor activities with friends and family this fall.

There are also many boating opportunities available this fall. ODNR continues to improve and encourage public use and access to Ohio waterways. Take advantage of opportunities to sail Lake Erie's western basin or paddle and explore the Little Miami River, Ohio's first designated State Scenic River. Those who take to the water are reminded to wear life jackets for safety.

The special activities and outdoor recreation opportunities are great, but remember - getting there is half the fun. To make sure your trip is the best it can be, ODNR has mapped fall foliage travel routes, posted at www.ohiodnr.com, for trips that will take travelers through some of the best of Ohio's fall landscapes.

Here are some upcoming ODNR autumn campouts, festivals and events:

10/23:
Halloween Campout @ Lake Alma State Park - Campsite decorating and trick or treat, 740-384-4474

Haunted Trail @ Lake Mission State Park - Spooky scenes along the paved road, 330-654-4989

Halloween Campout @ East Forest State Park - Games, contests, hayrides, 513-734-4323

Halloween Campout@ Mohican State Park - Nature programs and crafts, 419-994-4290

10/24:
Owl Prowl @ Van Buren State Park - Live owl program & guided hike, 419-348-7670

Hayride & Harvest Moonlight Tour @ Malabar Farm State Park - 419-892-2784

10/30:
Halloween Campout @ Dillon State Park - 740-453-4377

Haunted Trail @ Lake Milton State Park - 330-654-4989

Haunted Hocking @ Hocking Hills State Park - Hayrides & movies at Old Man's Cave and haunted tales at Ash Cave, 740-385-6841

10/31:
Venison Chili Cook-Off @ Findley State Park - 440-647-5749

ROAR Day @ Lake Hope State Park - Food, crafts and entertainment, 740-596-3030

Hayride & Harvest Moonlight Tour @ Lake Hope State Park - 419-892-2784

For more information about ODNR events and activities throughout the state this fall, visit www.ohiodnr.com and click on Fall Foliage. Additional fall events throughout Ohio can be found at discoverohio.com or by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.