Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
Maiden Rock Bluff
If you’re asking yourself, “Is it that time of year already?”, the answer is yes: fall colors are on the way. Minnesota typically sees the colors peak around mid-late September and early October, starting in the north and progressing toward the south. Minnesota’s breathtaking autumn leaves are not a sight to miss, yet it often feels like the fall season flies by. Luckily, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides a way for the public to track when and where to catch great fall views.
To make sure you get out and see the leaves before they fall, use the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder. The Finder tracks the progression of the changing leaves throughout the entire state on a color-coded map, which incorporates data from weekly reports made by DNR staff stationed all over the state, and depicts an approximate percentage of leaves which have changed color for the current week.
“Fall is the perfect season to spend time outdoors, when nature puts on a beautiful show for all to see,” said Ann Pierce, Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails Division director, in a press release. “From the north woods to the prairies to the lakeshores and everything in between, there are so many spots to view the stunning scenery that autumn in Minnesota brings.”
The Finder website has options to check out photos of last year’s leaves, upload your own photos from your fall adventures, and connect with the DNR’s event calendar that is filled with fun opportunities scheduled at your favorite state parks and trails. It's also super helpful for travel planning: The map shows when to take that scenic drive up north, the best week to visit a favorite local apple orchard, and even points to parts of the state less explored.
“Brilliant fall color occurs when late summer and early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Brian Schwingle, Minnesota DNR forest health specialist, in the release. The state is in its third summer with drought conditions, and though severe drought can lessen their intensity, there is no correlation with drought and the timing of peak fall colors, according to the DNR.
“Temperatures in September have played a bigger role than drought in determining when peak colors form,” Schwingle said. “When September minimum temperatures are cooler than average, like we had in 2020, fall colors have been earlier.”
