Fall Color Update * Week 4 🍁 💧

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Map of the state of Minnesota with sections in red, orange, yellow and shades of green denoting fall color change in different regions.

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

Fall in the Valley

New colors keep popping all over Minnesota, with most of the state at peak fall colors or getting close. Temperatures are cooling again, helping with the color change progression, while rain and wind are making some leaves drop sooner.

This week, we compiled a list of destinations along the St. Croix River. The beautiful character of the St. Croix has earned the river its status as Minnesota's first stream in the national wild and scenic rivers system. It travels a total of 164 miles from Douglas County, WI, then along the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, to its confluence with the Mississippi River. Visit the riverside parks and trails to watch fall colors in the valley, and from atop the bluffs.

While you are out leaf-peeping, look for other seasonal changes, as the destinations featured have abundant wildlife. All the parks featured also offer naturalist programs, so you can learn more about fall, astronomy, wildlife and even glacial potholes.

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Picnics, rides, hikes

Picnics provide a time-honored activity at Minnesota state parks. Who doesn’t enjoy a good outdoor meal in the company of friends and family?

Horse head seen from rider's perspective, on a natural surfaced trail with a mix of green trees and a few trees showing fall colors.

Visit St. Croix State Park, Minnesota's largest, and enjoy views of the St. Croix River from the River Edge Trail, right by the campground. Make sure you visit the new accessible exhibits in the visitor center to learn about the history of the park. Have a picnic at your campsite or by the beach at Lake Clayton.

If you're looking for adventure (and white and Norway pines), take a hike on the Kettle River Highbanks Trail (about 6 miles roundtrip) and watch the Kettle River as it flows into the St. Croix. Watch for eagles nesting by the river. And while you're on the western side of the park, climb one of our state parks' five fire towers for a view of fall colors from above the canopy, and as far as the eye can see. Visitors of all abilities can enjoy the scenic drives!

Right now, the leaves are changing throughout the park, with more green trees along the rivers, making for a nice contrast with the bright fall colors.

The Matthew Lourey State Trail traverses St. Croix State Park, connecting it with Chengwatana, St. Croix and Nemadji state forests. The multi-use, natural and gravel surfaced trail is a great option for horseback or off-highway vehicle riding.

View of a forest with a mix of green and yellow foliage from a high point. A river can be seen in the distance.

Take in the view over the St. Croix River Valley from the Visitor Center deck. PHOTO: Sean Hoppes, taken 10/4/23. Above, horseriding photo by Sarah Brasel, taken 9/29/23

Continue south to visit Wild River State Park, so named for the St. Croix River's designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The park’s second-growth forest, oak savanna and prairie landscapes support diverse plant and wildlife species.

Ride your bike, roll on your wheelchair or push a stroller on the relatively flat, paved Old Logging Trail — travel all 6 miles or do a shorter section. Take this trail to or from the picnic area. Take Amik's Pond Loop for a 1-mile walk down to the river, with a moderate slope. Or get your "climbing" in on the aptly named Highland Hills Trail, a beautiful though challenging 2-mile route, with steep hills, rugged terrain, oak trees and scattered white pines.

Bring your horse to ride the 3-mile Deer Creek Loop Trail and surround yourself with amazing fall peak maple colors.

At Wild River State Park maple trees peak earlier than oak trees. While maples are blazing red and orange right now, oaks have barely begun to change colors. Plan a later trip to see the oak in their best autumn colors.

Interstate State Park

River framed by yellow and orange foliage, greens on the shore, and a blue sky.

Enjoy scenic views of the St. Croix River from up high. BOTH PHOTOS: Navjyot N., taken 10/1/23.

Discover a unique landscape and geology along the St. Croix River.

Trail with steps in a hill, sun shining through yellow leaves on tall trees. The silhouette of a person is seen in the center of the image.

A billion years ago, dark basalt rock formed when lava escaped from a crack in the earth’s crust. Just 10 thousand years ago, water from melting glaciers carved the river valley. Within that water were fast moving whirlpools of swirling sand and water that wore deep holes into the rock, the glacial potholes you can see today at Interstate State Park.

Take the Walter F. Mondale River Trail (Hiking Club trail), a 2.6-mile roundtrip rugged trail for breathtaking views of the St. Croix River valley. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and rock climbers!

Color change slowed down at Interstate State Park with the recent warm spell, but will likely pick up again with this week's cooler temperatures. Visitors will see a mix of still-green trees and bare trees among muted patches of pale yellows, oranges and browns.

Visit on a weekday for the best experience, as fall can be a busy time at this park.

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Ghost plant (Monotropa flora)

The ghost plant is translucent white, appearing "ghostly," because it has no chlorophyll.

Close-up shot of three ghost plants, surrounded by fallen brown leaves.

PHOTO: Travis Novitsky

A member of the Ericaceae family (which includes blueberries and wintergreen) ghost pipe is found in woodlands throughout Minnesota — this year, park staff spotted it at Grand Portage State Park, in northeast Minnesota, and Great River Bluffs State Park, in the southeast corner of the state. This plant is known by many names, ghost pipe, Indian pipe, smoke pipe, corpse plant and Monotropa uniflora, for its single flower.

The ghost plant is a parasitic plant that survives without chlorophyll by taking nutrients from nearby plants with the aid of mycorrhizal fungi. The flower is pollinated by bees and other nectar-seeking insects, helping the plant make seeds that are later dropped and spread by the wind.

The plant gradually turns black a couple of weeks after flowering.

Text reads: "Give the gift of Minnesota's spectacular natural world." There's an image of a Minnesota State Parks and Trails gift card.

On horseback

Further south along the St. Croix River... Stefanie enjoys exploring the trails at Afton State Park on horseback: "This is every equestrian's favorite time. No bugs and pretty colors!"

A horse seen reading a park map sign at Afton State Park.

Get your Horse Pass to drive or ride on any DNR-managed horse trails in Minnesota state parks or state forests, or on state trails. PHOTO: Stefanie Stearns, taken 10/1/23 at Afton State Park.

Share your favorite Minnesota state park, trail and recreation area fall photos and stories. Upload your photo to our website for a chance to be featured in the weekly Fall Color Update and our social media channels.