Are you preparing for a leaf peeping escapade in Wisconsin? Whether you are looking for an autumn day trip to eyeball the changing seasons or a cozy weekend away to celebrate the beginning of fall, this list will assist in finding the right destination for you.
The Upper Midwest is known for it’s colorful autumn display, especially Minnesota and Michigan, but Wisconsin provides just as many great leaf peeping opportunities as it’s neighbors to the north.
You will have to remember though that in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, autumn arrives much earlier than southern parts of the state. Plan for the last two weeks of September for a visit to the state’s north and the first two weeks of October for exploring southern Wisconsin.
If you are not from the state of Wisconsin, know that it is a great destination for autumn obsessed travelers because the state has plenty of fall-inspired offerings such as fun fall festivities, apple orchards, homegrown cherries, cider houses, and so much more.
Best Destinations To See Fall Colors In Wisconsin
Door County
Door County is a narrow 70 mile peninsula in the northeast corner of the state which protrudes into Lake Michigan. The area has become of the most popular destinations in Wisconsin to visit in autumn due to the stunning fall colors that begin to surround the charming small towns here every October.
Some of the best places to see fall colors pop in Door County are Potawatomi State Park, Kangaroo Lake Nature Preserve, Taft Point State Natural Area, North Bay State Natural Area, Ellison Bluff State Natural Area, Cave Point County State Park, and Europe Bay Woods State Natural Area.
It’s no secret that the Upper Midwest is home to a large amount of Scandinavian descendent’s but this region of Wisconsin in particular is known for it’s large Swedish immigrant population and heritage.
Scandinavian architecture, customs and traditions are present across Door County and it won’t be long before you see hints of Scandinavian heritage across the landscape such as Scandinavian flags, straw horses, red Dala horses, or signs with rosemåling detail.
“Hygge” is a Scandinavian word meaning a mood of coziness and comfort, with feelings of wellness and contentment. It’s put into practice by acknowledging or embracing the special moments in life that bring joy, charm and a certain sentimentality. Whether ordinary or extraordinary, these moments are worth taking pause to enjoy.
For many people, the season of autumn especially brings them feelings of joy, coziness, and sentimentality, so what better place to practice Hygge than Door County during fall?
Whether you are an avid outdoorsmen, road tripping enthusiast, or a foodie, Door County is the perfect destination for fall lovers. Besides the many state parks that offer hiking and leaf peeping opportunities, this place has a thriving arts scene and offers a distinct culinary experience.
Cherries from Door County are famous throughout the state of Wisconsin so naturally you can expect cherry pie on the menu at most restaurants here. What better way to end a cool and crisp autumn evening than with a comforting warm slice of pie?
Other autumn offerings you can find in Door County include cherry and apple based wines, ciders, and farmhouse ales.
Places To Eat & Drink In Door County:
- Island Orchard Cider
- The Cherry Hut
- Door County Brewing
- Grandma’s Swedish Bakery
- Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
Where To Stay In Door County:
- Rowleys Bay Resort
- Hillside Waterfront Hotel
- Edgewater Resort
- Inn At Cedar Crossing
- Settlement Courtyard Inn
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells is a favorite summer destination in the Midwest, but did you know that it is a beautiful destination to visit in the fall too?
While the warmer months are an exciting time to be visiting this town most popular for its many thrilling waterparks, the area is an especially scenic place to view autumn colors.
The best place to see crisp and colorful fall foliage in Wisconsin Dells is along the shore of the Wisconsin River. You can either hike along the shoreline or take a Dells Boat tour to enjoy leaf peeping season.
If you are staying in the downtown area and don’t feel like driving, take a stroll along the Dells Scenic River Walk which offers vistas of the Wisconsin River and its sandstone bluffs.
This ¼-mile paved path offers visitors breathtaking view of the Dells’ unique scenery with many comfortable benches along the way for you to stop and take in those surrounding autumn colors.
The Dells has five large indoor waterpark resorts but the largest is Kalahari Resort which has an array of indoor attractions that include rock climbing, bowling, bumper cars, and a movie theater. So if you have kids in tow on your leaf peeping adventure, you might want to think about staying close to one of these theme parks so they don’t get too bored.
Where To Stay In Wisconsin Dells:
Mirror Lake State Park
Mirror Lake State Park is named for its centerpiece, a lake which is almost always calm and glassy that reflects the wooded shoreline. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, several picnic areas, and wooded campsites.
There are over 19 miles of hiking trails at Mirror Lake State Park. One of the easiest and shortest hikes is the Echo Rock Trail which is 0.6 miles and begins near the Cliffwood campground. This trail offers a scenic vista of Mirror Lake and a connection to the Ishnala trail across a 150-foot clear-span bridge over the Mirror Lake Gorge. The Ishnala Trail (which means ‘by itself alone’ in Winnebago) is a 2.2 mile trail in the northern part of the park.
At the end of your walk through the woodlands, you can stop in at the Ishnala Supper Club for a hearty meal or refreshing old fashioned beverage.
The Supper Club is nestled among tall Norway Pines in the middle of Mirror Lake State Park. The dining room floor is composed of 76 tons of flagstone from the nearby quarry and every table at the restaurant offers amazing views of tranquil Mirror Lake and it’s surrounding bluffs.
So if you’d prefer to hide out from the cooler weather but want to still be able to enjoy those fall colors, the Supper Club is where you want to be. On the menu you’ll find roast Wisconsin duck, New Zealand lamb, and filet mignon.
Mirror Lake is the perfect place for a weekend camping trip in autumn but can also be a day trip from nearby Wisconsin Dells.
Devils Lake State Park
Devils Lake State Park is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin and the largest. It is situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs that overlook the forest and large lake.
In autumn, this is one of the best destinations to see fall colors from above in Wisconsin. Only an hour north of Madison, it is a good destination for those wanting a quick escape from the city.
The 30 miles of trails here take hikers through woodlands, meadows, glacial moraines, and talus slopes.
While there are many trails to choose from, one of the best for fall foliage viewing is the 4.7 mile loop trail to Devils Lake via the West Bluff trail. During autumn, this trail is ablaze with yellows and golds and leads up to a high ridge with panoramic views of the colorful woodlands below with Lake Wisconsin seen in the distance.
Of interest to bird enthusiasts is the International Crane Foundation which is dedicated to the preservation of cranes.
Cranes are among the most endangered families of birds in the world, with eleven of the fifteen species threatened with extinction. The Crane Foundation is the only place on Earth where you can see all 15 of the world’s crane species.
Located in Baraboo amid the farmlands of southern Wisconsin, the Foundation’s headquarters are just ten minutes from the Wisconsin Dell and open until the 31st of October.
Eagle River
Autumn and Eagle River go hand in hand. This place is the perfect destination for a fall getaway for so many reasons.
Firstly, there is so much natural beauty here, fun fall activities, and good food that it makes a great romantic destination for couples wanting to relax in nature. Not to mention the town is littered with cozy condo’s and cute vacation cabins.
For those who prefer to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and fall colors while you hike, bicycle, canoe, or fish before the days get too short and cold to be out.
The fishing at this time of year particularly starts to heat up for Musky as the temperatures cool down. And because Eagle River is home to the worlds largest number of inland interconnecting lakes in the world, there is a lot of territory for fishermen to explore.
Eagle River is situated in northern Wisconsin (near the border of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to be specific), the fall colors arrive much earlier than lower parts of the state. Be mindful of this when organizing your trip to Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
If you love fall festivities, try and time your visit with the Cranberry Fest which is held on the first weekend of October. This annual autumn festival which celebrates the fall cranberry harvest sees over 40,000 attendees and is totally worthy of a fall pilgrimage.
Where To Stay In Eagle River:
Holy Hill
Every autumn, locals and visitors to the state of Wisconsin make the pilgrimage to Holy Hill to get a glimpse of the changing seasons.
Holy Hill is the site of Holy Hill Basilica, a beautiful roman catholic shrine that sits atop one of the highest points in southeastern Wisconsin. At 1,350 feet above sea level, one can see glorious views for miles which are even more scenic during fall foliage season.
Visitors can climb a 178-step observation tower to get a better view of the surrounding area which includes the Milwaukee skyline. The scenic tower is open to the public from the 1st of May through 1st October.
