Fall is the perfect time to visit Steuben County

Fall is the perfect time to visit Steuben County as the temperatures drop and the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange.

If you like the sound of crunching leaves, 1,260-acre Pokagon State Park is the place to be! With 11 miles of hiking trails you’ll see hardwood forests, marshland and rolling hills throughout the park. Trails range from easy to rugged. Trail 3 is a 2.2 mile moderate hike that takes you through the Potawatomi Nature Preserve and up to Hell’s Point, the highest point in the park. Here you’ll climb 84 wooden stairs to the overlook that will give you sweeping views of the park. The adjacent Trine State Recreation Area is home to beautiful 23-acre Gentian Lake. A short trail runs around the lakeshore, taking you around a unique fen marsh environment. Fishing is permitted from the pier or watercraft can be rented at the welcome center.

The 400-acre Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve in Fremont is open Saturdays and takes visitors on 40-minute tours out into the herd. Stop in the gift shop, which offers unique items such as canned buffalo meat, jewelry and artwork. In Angola, Ridenour Acres is open weekend through the end of October. Children will love the corn maze, hayrides, slides, corn cannon and more! Stop by G.W. Stroh Orchards and take home a bag or bushel of apples. Stroh Orchards grows more than 30 varieties of apples plus peaches and pears.

Downtown Angola

Once your outdoor adventures are over, head to downtown Angola, where a variety of shops cater to young and old alike. Clothing stores, boutiques with jewelry and accessories and a quilt shop are located around the historic public square. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures in the antique shops as well as an assortment of restaurants. Head downtown on Saturday, Oct. 14 for Fallfest, where you’ll find entertainment, vendors and music.