Fall Color Update, Week 1

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Map of the state of Minnesota in different shades of green, showing fall color foliage change.

Click on the map for a complete fall color report from around the state.

Fall Color Prediction (and Lemonade)

Blue stem grass in the foreground. Prairie and blue skies in the background

Some trees have begun to turn colors early due to this year's drought. A severe drought usually dulls colors and causes premature leaf shedding. Minnesota's landscape likely will be filled with more subtle colors of tan, bronze and auburn.

Forest Health Program Coordinator and official MN DNR fall color predictor, Val Cervenka, suggests a visit to the prairie this fall. "Let the lemons make lemonade! Head to the prairie to see beautiful native grasses that resist drought with their deep roots."

Scroll down for our prairie picks to visit this week!

Your Weekly Fall Updates

Each week, until we bid adieu to fall, we'll share trip and destination ideas so you get outside, discover something new, and follow the fall colors. Click on links and photos to see current color reports and photos.

Roaming the Prairie

Bison standing slightly sideways to the camera with another bison behind it

The bison at Blue Mounds State Park are a big draw in any sense of the word. Visit the park for a view of these often elusive animals from the viewing platform or Mound Trail. Hike the short Quarry Trail to explore the Sioux quartzite cliffs, rising 100 feet (30 meters) from the plains. Climb up Eagle Rock, the park’s highest point. At nearby Split Rock Creek State Park, hike along the lake for views of the historic stone bridge and Prairie Hill, a unique hillside teaming with wildflowers. Then, travel north to visit the famous Pipestone National Monument. Bike and horse riders can enjoy watching the world from a saddle along the Casey Jones State Trail, Minnesota’s oldest state trail.

Image of a prairie with blue skies. Text reads, "Minnesota State Parks and Trails. Prairie Pod. Listen to the prairie."

Chasing the Scenic Hike

Esker-like trail, covered in red pine and white cedar

Chase Point trail. PHOTO: Explore Minnesota Tourism

Stop by Scenic State Park on a quiet day and you’ll assume you’re alone with the birds. Scenic State Park is home to bald eagles, ospreys, loons, pileated woodpeckers, songbirds and the hard-to-find spruce grouse. Here, visitors can hike the Chase Point Trail (featured on this year’s vehicle park permit!), become enchanted with the hypnotic views, and listen to the wind whistle through the giant virgin pines.

Right now, wild asters, sunflowers, and goldenrod, along with rose hips are making a beautiful display among the yellows and browns of the turning ferns and other underbrush. Some maples are starting to show off their reds and the east trail around the lake has trees already golden in color and falling leaves on the trail. So bring the binoculars, take a hike, and picnic under the pines in a beautiful wilderness setting.

A Prairie Sunrise at Maplewood State Park

Hazy sunrise in a prairie with a tree in the foreground, and a couple of trees interrupting the horizon line.

PHOTO: Don Del Greco, Maplewood State Park Supervisor.

The Hallaway Hill Overlook trail is spectacular any time of year. It's an excellent place to climb to get grand panoramic views of the park... or a sunrise, if you're an early riser.

We want to see YOUR 2021 fall color photos! Share your favorite state park, trail and rec area autumnal pics and stories - tag us on Instagram @mnstateparksandtrails and use #YourMNFallFavorite for a chance to be featured in the weekly Fall Color Update and on our social channels.

"Give the gift of Minnesota's natural world" with image of gift card