Where to Find Minnesota's Best Fall Colors (Not Including the North Shore)

Downtown Riverfront
Stillwater

View the vibrant hillsides along the St. Croix River by taking one of Stillwater’s popular riverboat cruises, renting an electric bike for the St. Croix River Loop, or savoring autumn-inspired menus from rooftop patios. Don’t miss Aamodt’s Apple Farm on the town’s outskirts for crunchy-sweet produce and an adjacent vineyard.

For something epic, float above the fall colors with a local hot-air balloon tour, or paddle in hollowed-out, supersized pumpkins at Harvest Fest.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Bloomington

With multiple lakes and hills high enough for ski jumps, leaf peepers have more than 2,500 acres to explore at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, including an award-winning play area with 50-foot slides, Richardson Nature Center's resident birds and critters, disc golf on ski slopes, and annual chairlift rides for fall-color views (reservations recommended).

Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomington

Less than two miles from Mall of America, blufftop trails offer river-valley views and visitor center staff to help identify birds and fall wildflowers. Take a quick trip three miles away to Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, which brings pedestrians and cyclists near waterfowl on Long Meadow Lake.

Head two miles north to spend a day at Fort Snelling State Park, where you can borrow free birding and fishing kits and an all-terrain electric-powered chair for trails where the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers meet.

Blue Mounds State Park
Luverne

In the prairie landscape of southwest Minnesota, fall colors encompass the rust, maroon and golden native grasses and the bronze and pale yellow of soybeans and corn. Visitors can see for miles from Blue Mounds State Park’s quartzite cliffs. Look for the park’s bison herd, camp in a tipi, or admire the area’s beauty through the eyes of the late Jim Brandenburg, a world-renowned photographer from this small town who helped establish the nearby Touch the Sky Prairie.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Crosby & Ironton

This 5,000-acre area of former mining pits draws nature lovers for spring-fed mine lakes cradled by steep hillsides that erupt into golden colors. Speed past the scenery on red-dirt mountain-bike trails, explore lakes with clear kayaks and paddleboards, or leisurely pedal the paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail.

Don’t miss Miner’s Mountain overlook or handmade ice cream and gourmet picnic fare at Victual.

Detroit Mountain
Detroit Lakes

Hike or ride the chairlift up this high point in northwest Minnesota’s Leaf Hills region. Besides fall colors, mountain biking and hiking trails, you might run into the tallest of the Thomas Dambo trolls. You can also find a giant yellow rabbit hiding on the mountain, plus four more trolls and other nature-influenced sculptures throughout the Detroit Lakes area.

Giants Ridge
Biwabik

The 34-run ski resort Giants Ridge Recreation Area whisks autumn visitors up its high-speed quad lift for colorful views of the Mesabi Iron Range and Superior National Forest. A popular golf course, mountain bike trails, 10 miles of hiking trails, and the 130-mile paved Mesabi Trail offer more places to see the foliage reflected across area lakes and ponds.

For higher-octane adventure, trucks and ATVs rumble and roar through the 3,600-acre Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area less than 20 minutes away.

Interstate State Park
Taylors Falls

This stretch of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border draws fall-color seekers with popular paddlewheel tour boat excursions and easy canoe trips downriver. You can also try rock climbing (with a free permit) or hiking trails where unique glacial potholes were scoured into rock above the river gorge an hour from the Twin Cities.

Also worth a stop: Franconia Sculpture Park’s 50 acres of outdoor art, mere minutes away from Taylors Falls.

Limestone Bluffs
Red Wing

Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, limestone bluffs tower above the Mississippi River Valley, offering expansive views of Red Wing’s historic downtown, the river and its islands. Drive to Memorial Park atop Sorin’s Bluff for a picnic, game of disc golf and mountain biking, or hike up He Mni Can (Barn Bluff) for a different view of the valley.

While you’re in the area, be sure to score new hiking shoes from Red Wing Boots’ flagship store or gawk at its museum’s giant size 638½ boot.

Maplewood State Park
Pelican Rapids

A wealth of maple trees makes this destination a favorite in spring (for syruping season) and fall. Climb Hallaway Hill for views of Lake Lida and take the park’s five-mile scenic drive through woods and restored prairie.

A 30-mile scenic drive reaches the quieter Glendalough State Park near Battle Lake. Plan to stop midway at postcard-worthy Phelps Mill, built in 1889 along the Otter Tail River.

Minnesota Riverfront
Mankato

Fall colors flank the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway on this hour-long drive from the Twin Cities to the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers in Mankato. Bicyclists cruise the Minnesota River Trail and Red Jacket Trails while families flock to Sibley Park’s whimsical farm-themed playground (and petting zoo through early fall).

At the nearby Minneopa State Park, watch fall leaves flowing toward the waterfall cascading over rock ledges and look for bison from the resident herd.

Look for the annual Mahkato Wacipi, usually the third week in September, at Land of Memories Park, or follow Judson Bottom Road about 30 miles west to New Ulm, which celebrates Oktoberfest two different weekends in October.

Mississippi River
Winona

Whether you drive up to Garvin Heights overlook or hike all the way up to Sugar Loaf Bluff, Winona’s vistas offer majestic views of the Mississippi River, its many islands, and historic church steeples rising above the city below.

Sugar Loaf Bluff is also popular for rock climbing. Reward yourself with dinner at one of Winona’s destination dining stops, such as Nosh Scratch Kitchen in historic downtown, or sample northern wines along the Great River Road Wine Trail.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Zimmerman

Hike Blue Hill Trail  in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy the vibrant reds and golds at the highest point in Sherburne County, about 40 minutes from the Twin Cities. Keep an eye (and ear) to the skies to catch flocks of sandhill cranes soaring overhead or watch for them and other migrating birds edging the ponds along Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive. More than 15,000 cranes gather at this 30,700-acre refuge from late September into October before migrating.

St. Croix State Park
Hinckley

Minnesota’s largest state park covers 34,000 acres with park trails and a drive that includes views of the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway and the Kettle River, a state-designated Wild and Scenic River. Climb the fire tower for views high above the forest.

Couples craving one more camping getaway can find more than 200 campsites and launch spots for a colorful paddle along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Thiede Fire Tower Park
Pequot Lakes

Climb Pequot Lakes’ 100-foot fire tower built in 1935 to see sweeping forest views along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, which circles the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. The town also boasts a water tower painted like a fishing bobber and a Babe the Blue Ox along the Paul Bunyan State Trail.

Brush off the fall chill and relax at MN Traders Co with its swinging chairs, foamy lattes, and swanky cocktails.

Whitewater State Park
Altura

About 25 miles east of Rochester, Whitewater State Park’s Chimney Rock Trail weaves up along limestone bluffs with views of the Whitewater River Valley below. Take a dip in the river’s sandy-beached, spring-fed oxbow if you catch a hot fall day. Finish with a side trip to the 110-foot Elba Fire Tower for another view of the ravines and bluffs rippling the landscape.

Find more things to do in the fall.