Let us help you in finding the best fall foliage this lovely Autumn season! While Summer is truly a cherished time here in Minnesota, the short but sweet Fall season never fails to get us excited by showing off its vibrant colors before turning into the long Winter months. Whether it’s a short trip around the metro area or a road trip up north to take in the crisp air and warm foliage, the views never disappoint if you catch them at the right time.
Not surprisingly, finding the best Fall foliage starts in the North of the state and trickles down into the South within a matter of a few weeks. If you are thinking about chasing the colors, see below for regional specifics of the state at its most dazzling peak according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and see here for the helpful visual!
- Very top Northeast & North Central: MID TO LATE-SEPTEMBER
- Northwest to Northeast: MID-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY-OCTOBER
- Middle/Central: LATE-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY-OCTOBER
- Bottom Southwest to South Central/Southeast: LATE-SEPTEMBER TO MID-OCTOBER
- Very bottom Southeast: EARLY TO MID-OCTOBER
Furthermore, the DNR has a detailed color-coded map of all the state parks and what the area’s fall foliage is in real time so it is actually changing everyday! Right now, most of the South Central – South of the state are at 10-25% to peak with a couple patches behind that at 0-10% and a couple ahead at 25-50%. The majority of the North Central – North of the state is at 25-50% to peak with a couple patches behind that and a few ahead with the most Northwestern corner nearing its peak. Interestingly, you can even compare the color change from this year with the past two years.
Based on this information, heading to the Northern part of the state within the next week will give you an ideal chance in finding the best fall foliage at this point in time. The rest of the state will soon follow, leading into mid-October. Minnesota has an abundance of state parks and breathtaking backdrops to take in the Fall colors but, thanks to Explore Minnesota’s Road Trips & Scenic Byways special, here’s a list of 5 ultimate scenic routes that will not disappoint – they are so amazing you can even enjoy the views from the comfort and convenience of your own car!
- North Shore Scenic Byway – 145 mile stretch of road from Duluth to Grand Portage outlining the limestone cliffs and forests of Lake Superior’s edgy shoreline
- Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway – 68 mile loop curving around Lake Mille Lacs aka Minnesota’s second biggest inland lake
- Gunflint Trail – rolling paved road spanning from a harbor town on Lake Superior inland through Superior National Forest
- Great River Road – 565 mile byway across the state starting at the pine-surrounded Mississippi River headwaters of Lake Itasca in Park Rapids going through various other cities before ending it’s Minnesota journey in the beautiful bluffs of Winona
- Bluff Country Byway – winds through dramatic bluff landscapes in southern Minnesota along the Root River Valley
As your go-to real estate team, we are passionate about helping you with your home journey AND, as fellow Minnesotans, we also love helping you make the most of this amazing state we all call home. Part of living here means enjoying the diverse seasons we get and Fall is certainly a favorite. We would love hearing from you about any suggestions you may have about finding the best Fall foliage this Autumn and of course to see any fabulous footage so, don’t hesitate to reach out!