This is Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report as of Thursday, October 23. Information in this report has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This will be the final fall color report for 2008.

While much of northern Minnesota is past peak, good fall color remains in the lower one-half of the state. Nice fall color can still be found at Frontenac, Forestville/Mystery Cave, and Whitewater state parks. In areas where most leaves have fallen, wildlife is much easier to see due to improved visibility.

Please note that fall color conditions can change rapidly due to wind, rain and frost. Please call ahead for the most current conditions.

To plan a fall getaway, contact one of our travel counselors.

It won’t be long until the snow begins to fall, and there are lots of fun and exciting winter recreation opportunities. Anyone interested in country skiing, snowmobiling or downhill sking will want to sign up to receive our winter trails and downhill ski reports. Click here to subscribe to any of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

Northeastern Minnesota

Most areas within this region of the state are now past peak, with leaves falling rapidly.

Northcentral/West Minnesota

Most areas within this region of the state are now past peak, with leaves falling rapidly.

Twin Cities Metropolitan Vicinity

Lake Maria State Park -Monticello

While most trees are beyond peak fall color, yellow and gold leaves remain on the aspen and cottonwood trees, and the oaks continue to display shades of rusty red and maroon. The prairie grasses are adding shades of gold and rusty brown to the landscape. The Bjorkland Lake Trail remains a good path for a variety of colors. The canopy of the Big Woods Trail is still very yellow and gold. Recent wildlife sightings include trumpeter swans, migrating warblers, active beaver colonies, deer, hawks and bald eagles.

Wild River State Park -Almelund, E of North Branch

The abundant oak trees are holding onto most of their red, orange and gold leaves, however the colors are becoming more muted. Some individual oaks may remain colorful through this weekend. The vistas of oak forests across the restored prairies are an amazing variety of color. The road from the park office to the campground provides nice views of the prairie grasses and oak forests. Stop along the way at the wildlife observation platform. There are good views from the overlook at the Nevers Dam Site, the hills along the advanced ski loop trail west and south of the park office, and from the decks at the visitor center and picnic shelter. Visitors will also want to participate in the hands-on learning programs offered to all ages starting at 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at the visitor center, with a chance to help restore the park’s prairies.

Interstate State Park -Taylors Falls

The park trees and shrubs are now past peak. For views of the remaining fall colors in the St. Croix River valley travel the River Trail or check out the overlook along the Sandstone Bluff Trail.

Fort Snelling State Park -St. Paul

An overall 75-100 percent change in the park foliage is being reported, however rain, frost and wind are taking their toll daily. While some sumac stands remain red, varying shades of yellow, orange, brown and faded green dominate the landscape. The Wood Duck Trail along Snelling Lake and the Mendota Trail on the east side of the Minnesota River offer nice views of the remaining fall colors. Wildlife viewing opportunities increase each day due to falling leaves.

Afton State Park -Afton, N of Hastings

Although the park is past its peak for leaf color, the oaks remain very beautiful. The basal grass of the tall grass prairie areas is a golden brown. The majority of maples have lost their leaves, but a few trees are holding onto their colorful leaves. The flickers continue to show up in large numbers. Early morning is a good time to see great blue herons, gulls, waterfowl and other shorebirds along the river. Deer and turkey are busy foraging for food. The twenty miles of trails offer views of the prairie, hardwood valleys, and flood plain forests. The river is low enough that you can walk along its edge, and the distant views are still colorful due to the abundance of oak trees.

Southern Minnesota

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park -Nerstrand, S of Northfield

Most of the trees have lost their leaves, and the park has become even more sunny in the past few days. The oaks, however, remain nice shades of rust, orange and deep red. Occasional bursts of color can be seen in the treetops. The openness of the woods allows better views of the natural features of the land and active wildlife. Visitors will also enjoy the South Central Studio Art Tour offered at Northfield and Faribault artist studios this Friday through Sunday, October 24-26. For more information, visit www.southcentralartour.com

Frontenac State Park -Frontenac, S of Red Wing

While the trees are now past peak, large areas of nice fall color can still be found. The red oaks, in particular, are full of orange, rust and rich red leaves. Many of the maple trees are also remain bright red, orange and yellow. For the nicest fall color, travel the bluff trails, which are lined with colorful oaks and maples. Head to the top of the bluff from the picnic area for beautiful overlooks of Lake Pepin. The drive from Red Wing to Winona along Highway 61 is reportedly still stunning. On Saturday, October 25, join the North Star Trail Travelers for a series of hikes through the park. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m.

John A. Latsch State Park -Minneiska, NW of Winona

Although the park foliage is past its peak, the hillsides remain colorful even after the hard frost. The red oaks are still at peak shades of rust, orange and maroon, and some of the maples are holding onto their bright red, orange and yellow leaves. All other trees are past peak. The fall waterfowl migration is increasing, and many species of ducks are arriving along the Mississippi River. Tundra swans are also gaining in numbers.

Great River Bluffs State Park -Winona

Most trees are past peak, with many of the leaves already on the ground. Some trees, particularly the maples and oaks, are holding onto their red, yellow and orange leaves. All of the five overlooks in the park are great vantage points to see the remaining fall colors–the Kings Bluff Trail is one of the favorite overlooks.

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park -Preston

Although many of the trees are past their peak, some great fall color remains above ground. The oaks are at peak shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, and the tree canopy on the wooded ridges is still beautiful. Some pockets of aspen are also holding onto their bright yellow leaves. A lot of the shrubs continue to display vivid red and orange leaves. For the best fall color views, head to the wooded ridges along the Cemetery and Sinkhole Ridge trails. Park staff report that the trout are currently spawning and eagles have moved into the park to feed on these fish. And, this Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, consider a tour of Mystery Cave and Historic Forestville–this will be the final weekend for tours this fall.

Whitewater State Park -Elba, N of St. Charles

The hillsides are still colorful even after the recent hard frost. The red oaks remain at peak shades of deep orange, rust and maroon, and some maples are holding onto bright yellow, orange and red leaves. Most other tree species are past their peak. The fall migration of waterfowl is increasing, and tundra swan numbers are growing on the Mississippi River.

Sakatah Lake State Park -Waterville, W of Faribault

Strong winds and rain have brought down many of the leaves–only the late turning and most tenacious trees are holding onto their leaves. Pockets of color, however, can be found on the west end of the park along the bike trail.
The view up and down the lakeshore from the fishing pier remains colorful. Most of the park’s trails are wooded, and offer a good possibility of viewing late season color.

Fort Ridgely State Park -NW of New Ulm

While burr oak and hackberry trees are holding onto more than half of their leaves, however the colors are mostly dull brown and gold. The Minnesota River valley trees still offer some fall color, but this week’s rain and wind should bring down much of these leaves. Please note that deer/vehicle collisions are increasing as crops are harvested, bucks go into rut, and the late moon phase creates very dark conditions before road traffic diminishes.

Sibley State Park -New London, N of Willmar

Nice pockets of color remain, with some red oak, aspen and cottonwood trees holding onto their maroon, rust, orange and yellow leaves. Hiking is especially enjoyable this time of year due to fallen leaves carpeting the trails, and opportunities to see an abundance of wildlife and migratory birds. Mount Tom offers a panoramic view that extends for many miles. Also consider a drive along the Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway which runs through Sibley and neighboring Monson Lake State Park.

Big Stone Lake State Park -Ortonville

Most leaves have fallen to the ground due to recent wind and rain.

Lake Shetek State Park -Currie, N of Slayton

Most of the leaves are on the ground. The sumac, however, remains bright red and is especially pretty at the park entrance and near the monument. Some nice patches of yellow, gold, orange, and burgundy can also be found throughout the park.

Blue Mounds State Park -Luverne

The vast and open landscape continues to offer a wide spectrum of browns, reds and grays. The best trails to view the surrounding countryside are the Upper and Lower Cliffline trails. Although the visitor center is now closed, visitors can still park in the parking lot. From here, access the top of the mound and take the one mile hike to the top of the cliffline at the old quarry site for stunning views on the landscape. And, the 82 bison that roam inside the bison range can sometimes be seen during morning hours.