By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: October 15, 2026 | Last updated: October 15, 2026
Wayne County does fall well. The Whitewater River Gorge turns, the orchards open up, the antique shops fill with harvest-season finds, and the Cardinal Greenway — 62 miles of paved trail running north out of Richmond — becomes one of the better places in eastern Indiana to be on a bike or on foot in October. This is what’s worth doing right now.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store Richmond: 6400 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374 | Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM
Fall Things to Do Near Richmond, Indiana
1. Dougherty Orchards & Winery
The oldest family-owned orchard in Indiana, and the fall destination in Wayne County. Apple picking, homemade cider and donuts, wine, wine slushies, a petting zoo, a flower farm, and live entertainment. The kind of place that works for everyone from toddlers to couples looking for a Saturday afternoon. Go earlier in October for better apple selection.
Best for: Families, couples, anyone who wants a proper orchard day
2. Hayes Arboretum
A 355-acre nature preserve on Richmond’s west side, and one of the genuinely underrated fall destinations in the county. The old-growth forest hits peak color in mid-to-late October, and the self-guided trails through native woodland are quiet enough that you can actually hear the leaves. The restored prairie section has a different character from the forest — worth walking both.
Free to visit. The nature center at the entrance is worth a quick stop for context on what you’re walking through.
Best for: Hikers, photographers, anyone who wants fall color without a crowd
3. The Cardinal Greenway
Indiana’s longest paved trail system: 62 miles running from Richmond north to Marion through Wayne, Randolph, and Grant counties. In October the trees along the trail corridor turn, and the flat-to-gently-rolling terrain makes it accessible at any pace. You don’t have to do 62 miles — even a few miles out of Richmond gives you a good hour of fall scenery.
Cycling & Fitness Warehouse in Richmond offers free bike rentals for the Greenway if you don’t have your own.
Best for: Cyclists, walkers, anyone who wants distance without hills
4. Thistlethwaite Falls
Richmond’s only waterfall, tucked into the Whitewater River Gorge Trail on the north side of the city. The gorge itself has limestone rock formations and exposed fossils — interesting geology year-round — but the fall foliage framing the falls is what makes October the right time to go. Short walk from the trailhead, worth it.
Best for: Hikers, photographers, a quick but memorable stop
5. Whitewater River Gorge Trail
The full gorge trail runs through the heart of Richmond and follows the Whitewater River through one of the most scenic stretches of urban trail in eastern Indiana. Peak color in the gorge typically runs late October. The trail connects to Glen Miller Park, so you can make a longer loop out of it.
Best for: Hikers, joggers, fall color seekers
6. Glen Miller Park
A 194-acre park on Richmond’s east side with walking paths, a water area, and the Richmond Rose Garden — which, yes, is more of a spring destination, but the park itself is good for a fall walk and connects to the gorge trail. The park also hosts fall community events through October.
Best for: Families, casual walkers, anyone who wants a park with options
7. Jones Family Farm
Over 200 varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash — plus a pumpkin house photo opportunity. The kind of farm stand that’s become its own fall event. Good for families with kids who need a pumpkin and parents who need a photo.
Best for: Families, pumpkin picking, the photo
8. Antique Alley
Wayne County has one of the largest concentrations of antique dealers in the Midwest, running along US-40 and surrounding areas. Fall is when the shops fill up with harvest-season finds — vintage Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, furniture, glassware, and the kind of things that only exist in quantity in a county with this many antique stores. A full day’s project if you’re serious about it; a pleasant hour if you’re not.
Best for: Antique hunters, browsers, anyone passing through on US-40
9. Barn at Helm Experience
Sunflower fields with over 80 varieties, u-pick bouquets, and live open-air entertainment. The sunflower season can run into October depending on the year — worth checking whether they’re still open before making the trip.
Best for: Couples, photographers, anyone who wants something scenic to do on a weekend afternoon
10. Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store
Full disclosure, same as always — this is our shop. It’s at 6400 National Road East, right on US-40 (the Historic National Road), and it’s open daily 9 AM – 8 PM. The fall case for stopping: the fudge doesn’t care what season it is, but you might want something warm and rich after a few hours at the arboretum or the orchards. Fresh fudge in 19 flavors, ice cream, and a gift shop with enough items to fill a Halloween basket or get a head start on Christmas.
Everything also ships from UranusGeneralStore.com.
Families come in all the time during the fall to cap off a perfect autumn trip to see the leaves! We just had a family of four here last week named the Johnsons.
Practical Notes
Peak fall color in Wayne County typically runs mid-to-late October. The Whitewater River Gorge and Hayes Arboretum are the best in-city color spots; Dougherty Orchards gives you the full countryside version.
Getting here: Richmond is 70 miles east of Indianapolis on I-70, about 35 miles west of Dayton. The town sits right on the Indiana-Ohio state line.
Weather: October in Richmond averages highs in the mid-50s to low 60s. Layers are the right call. Morning fog in the gorge is not uncommon and looks excellent in photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Richmond Indiana in the fall? Dougherty Orchards for apple picking and cider, Hayes Arboretum for fall foliage on self-guided trails, the Cardinal Greenway for cycling or walking, Thistlethwaite Falls for the gorge and waterfall, and Antique Alley for harvest-season browsing. Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store at 6400 National Road East is open daily 9 AM – 8 PM.
When do leaves peak near Richmond Indiana? Typically mid-to-late October. The Whitewater River Gorge and Hayes Arboretum are the best spots in the city for fall color.
Is there apple picking near Richmond Indiana? Yes — Dougherty Orchards & Winery is the oldest family-owned orchard in Indiana and offers apple picking, cider, donuts, wine, and a petting zoo.
What is the Cardinal Greenway in Richmond Indiana? A 62-mile paved trail running north from Richmond through Wayne, Randolph, and Grant counties — Indiana’s longest paved trail system. Free bike rentals are available at Cycling & Fitness Warehouse in Richmond.
Where is Uranus in Richmond Indiana? 6400 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374 — right on US-40 (the Historic National Road), just off I-70 at Exit 156B. Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM.
For more on what to do in Richmond year-round, see Things to Do in Richmond Indiana.
Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.