Find This Week's Best Fall Color

This is your 2021 Minnesota Fall Color Update, brought to you by Explore Minnesota. You will receive an email each Thursday afternoon during the fall color season, making it easier than ever to plan a colorful fall adventure.

While this summer’s drought could change the timing and intensity of fall color, expect pockets of vibrant color to develop in areas less impacted by dry conditions.

Plan ahead so you don't miss the fall color show!

Many scenic routes, parks and trails across the state are popular in the fall, and travelers should consider midweek trips and lesser-known options to avoid crowds. Due to the current COVID-19 and Delta variant situation, check official event or attraction websites for potential alterations. Prior to travel, visit Explore Minnesota's COVID-19 Information page.

“The drought has already had an impact,” said Val Cervenka, the forest health program consultant in the DNR’s forestry division. "The fall color season should arrive earlier than usual, with pockets of nice fall color in areas less affected by drought. It's really a wait-and-see for a lot of things. Prepare to be surprised!"

Much-needed rain has helped revive fall wildflowers, understory shrubs and trees, enhancing the potential for glorious fall color. Concentrate on the ridge tops, higher elevations, hills and bluffs for stunning views of the fall transformation.

Below, see recommendations for three locations in each region of Minnesota. If you are out leaf peeping, please share your own photos and tag them #OnlyInMN.

Fall color is rapidly developing in the northeast region of the state. The ash, aspen, birch and basswood trees are turning beautiful shades of yellow, and some maples are beginning to display bright red-orange leaves. The ridge tops and higher elevations currently offer the best fall color.

• Savanna Portage State Park, McGregor
• McCarthy Beach State Park, Side Lake, north of Hibbing
• St. Croix State Park, Hinckley

The ash, basswood and boxelder trees are turning bright shades of gold, and the sugar maples are starting to add lovely shades of red, orange and gold to the mix. Leaves on a few of the red oaks have turned a deep maroon. The shrubs and understory are contributing shades of salmon, purple, mauve and bright red.

• Lake Bronson State Park, Lake Bronson, east of Hallock
• Zippel Bay State Park, Williams, northwest of Baudette
• Itasca State Park, Park Rapids

The sumacs are a lovely deep red and crimson. The golden-yellow elm and ash trees are adding lots of color to the parks, as are the gold, maroon and purple prairie grasses. Some hillsides have pops of orange and red from the sugar maples and oaks.

• Glacial Lakes State Park, Starbuck
• Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, Little Falls
• Father Hennepin State Park, Isle

According to staff at the Three Rivers Park District, the ash trees have begun to yellow, gray dogwood is displaying burgundy leaves, and occasional elm and cottonwood trees have turned a golden-yellow. Parks recommended for potential fall color this weekend are Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca, Baker and Carver park reserves, and Fish Lake and French regional parks.

• William O'Brien State Park, Marine on St. Croix
• Afton State Park, Afton, north of Hastings
• Three Rivers Park District, Twin Cities area parks

• Flandrau State Park, New Ulm
• Upper Sioux Agency State Park, Granite Falls
• Lake Shetek State Park, Currie, north of Slayton

Have something else in mind?
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