Itasca State Park

Leaf color: 75-100%

Flower color: past peak

Grass color: no data

Details:

Where to go: The woods is glowing as trees finally begin reaching their peak with colors ranging from soft yellow to deep red. Trees turning yellow and gold include the basswood, aspen and birch. Pockets of red and orange are appearing as the maples slowly change. Deeper reds are appearing in the Red Oaks. Varying shades of peachy-gold are being seen in the Big-tooth Aspen. Inland on the rolling hills found throughout the park, visitors can see more gold and yellow appearing in the Trembling Aspen and Paper Birch. Scattered throughout the forest are brilliant pockets of red as the Red Maple finally start to change color. On the moist upland sites, patches of orange and yellow are appearing in the Sugar Maples. Purple tones are pronounced in the shrub layer as arrow-wood, blue-beach and dogwoods. The late summer flowers are beginning to wane. The rich yellows of golden rods can be seen along Deer Park, Ozawindib and Aiton Heights trails, also good routes for seeing the rosey red and peach colors in the red and sugar maples. Climbing the 100-foot Aiton Heights Fire Tower is a great way to get a panoramic view of the fall colors!

Hiking any of the park's trails is a great way to enjoy the wave of color. Pick trails include Ozawindib/Aiton Heights/ Deer Park Route. Or for a longer hike follow Ozawindib/Myrtle Lake Crossover Trail/Deer Park. The Doctor Roberts Trail is another nice option. As the color change peaks, getting out on the water in a canoe, kayak or boat is a great way to enjoy the reflection of the fall colors on water while providing a panoramic view.

What you'll see:

Numerous mushroom species in a variety of colors from white to gold to bright red are popping up with recent rains.

Leaves are reaching their peak color. Sugar and Red Maples are truning red, orange, yellow and peach, creating a stunning contrast to the dark green of the conifers. Bur oaks are a soft camel brown and the Red Oaks range from deep red to burnt red-orange. The remaining Black Ash that haven't dropped their leaves are now almost all showing gold. Trembling and Big-tooth Aspen are nearly totally changed, with colors ranging from soft yellow to bright orange-yellow. Basswoods are now almost completely done but a few trees remain with soft yellow leaves and Paper Birch are beginning to peak yellow.

Typical Fall Color Change:
Maple/Basswood and Ash: typically change the last week of September.
Oak/Birch/Aspen:typically peak the last week of September into the first week of October.

Color change was somewhat slow this fall, trees are now reaching peak with all species displaying color.

Also of interest: Flocks of Canada geese, Blackbirds, and robins are starting to wing their way south. Northern Flickers continue to keep busy feeding on ants along roadways with fewer birds seen each day. Bald Eagles can be seen soaring over the lake. Turkeys and this year's young are being seen in the north picnic ground. White-tailed deer are being seen in groups in the early morning and early eveing. Red squirrels are busy cutting White Pine cones to store up for winter food, and can be seen scampering across park roads with the cones. Grey squirrels and chipmunks are also busy caching food. Beaver are attempting to stop-up the headwaters with sticks in preparation for winter. Raccoons are now moving along roadways in the evening. Immature Loons continue to cruise on park lakes. Trumpeter Swans are being seen more frequently on park lakes.

Upcoming Highlight: Saturday, October 5: Mary Lake Trail Walk and Music Under the Pines with Craig Willis
2 p.m. walk time. 7 p.m. concert located at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.
See the park calendar for all the activities on October 5.

Last updated: October 5, 2013 

Getting there 36750 Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN 56470 South entrance to the park is 23 miles north of Park Rapids on U.S. Highway 71. From Bemidji, the east entrance is 30 miles south on U.S. Hwy 71 and 1/10 mile north on State Hwy 200. The north entrance is 21 miles south of Bagley on State Hwy 92/State Hwy 200. GPS device users: Lat. 47.194648 Long. -95.165012	Contact Phone: 218-699-7251 Email: itasca.statepark@state.mn.us Best time to contact the park: Daily, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.	More information Park maps Summer Map  Winter Map  Campground Map  Park camping & lodging Park trails Park web site
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