Fall Colors
The fall color information in the reports below is provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Posted October 29, 2009 1:03 pm
Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report: October 29 – Final 2009 Fall Color Report
Peak fall color can still be found in the stunning and abundant oak trees at Whitewater State Park, which is located just north of St. Charles in southeastern Minnesota. Similar conditions are reported for nearby Carley and John A. Latsch state parks. And while past peak, park officials report nice fall color lingering at St. Croix, Big Bog, Lake Bemidji, Sibley, Fort Snelling, Nerstrand, Frontenac, Forestville and Sakatah Lake state parks – now is the time to get out and enjoy the glorious fall colors of the season [...]
Posted October 22, 2009 4:33 pm
Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report: October 22
While most areas of Minnesota are now past peak, some areas are still displaying beautiful crimson, orange, peach and yellow leaves. State parks that offer near peak or just past peak conditions include Frontenac, Great River Bluffs, Whitewater and Lake Louise. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at Chaska, and parks in Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Dakota and Wright counties within the Three Rivers Park District will also offer beautiful fall color this week and into this weekend [...]
Posted October 15, 2009 5:03 pm
Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report: October 15
While a warm September slowed the fall transformation, recent below freezing temperatures have caused many of the remaining green leaves to turn brown prematurely. Some trees, however, continue to change color, and others are holding on to their bright red, crimson, orange, peach and yellow leaves. Minnesota parks that offer near peak or just past peak conditions include Itasca, Jay Cooke, St. Croix, Nerstrand, Whitewater, and Minneopa. The Tamarac National Wildlife Reguge at Detroit Lakes and parks within the Three Rivers Park District in Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Dakota and Wright counties are also reported to offer great fall color. This weekend should be an excellent time to venture out to see the abundance of fall color throughout Minnesota.
Posted October 8, 2009 4:50 pm
Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report: October 8
While a warm September slowed the fall transformation, recent hard frosts and shorter, cooler autumn days have led to an acceleration in the developing fall colors. Most areas are now reported to be at 50-75 percent peak fall color, with bright red, maroon, rust, orange, yellow, peach and purple leaves adorning trees and shrubs. Peak and near peak conditions can be found at state parks throughout Minnesota, including Bear Head Lake at Ely, Gooseberry at Two Harbors, Itasca located north of Park Rapids, Savannah Portage located north of McGregor, Mille Lacs Kathio at Onamia, Lake Maria at Monticello, Sibley located north of Willmar, and Nerstrand located south of Northfield. This weekend will be an excellent time to venture out to see Minnesota’s incredible fall colors [...]
Posted October 1, 2009 5:07 pm
October 1 Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report
While recent cool and more seasonable temperatures have caused a dramatic increase in fall color progression, many parks are expected to reach peak fall color later than usual due to the late arrival of the season’s first frost in many areas of the state. Most areas are reported to be at 25-50 percent peak fall color, with the shrubs and trees having turned a wide array of colors, including red, maroon, rust, orange, yellow, peach and purple! Some wildflowers continue to bloom, and most prairie grasses remain beautiful shades of gold and rusty-purple. Pockets of 50-75 percent fall color can be found at state parks throughout Minnesota, including Itasca located north of Park Rapids, Savannah Portage located north of McGregor, Lake Maria at Monticello, and Sibley located north of Willmar. This weekend should be a great time to venture out to see Minnesota’s beautiful fall color show [...]
Posted September 24, 2009 4:22 pm
Explore Minnesota Fall Color Report: September 24, 2009
Most areas of the state are reported to be at 10-50 percent peak fall color, with the shrubs and trees having turned nice shades of red, maroon, rust, orange, yellow and peach. Many wildflowers continue to bloom, and the prairie grasses are adding beautiful shades of gold and rusty-purple to the northern and southern landscapes. State parks reporting the most abundant and vivid fall color at this time are Cascade River at Lutsen, Itasca located north of Park Rapids, Sibley located north of Willmar, and Camden located southwest of Marshall [...]