Explore vibrant foliage, winding roads and outdoor adventures across 4.2 million acres of public land
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is recommending three different state forest drives to view striking fall colors. Minnesota’s 60 state forests cover more than 4 million acres and offer some of the most varied and scenic fall color drives in the Midwest. From the hardwood hills of the southeast to the pine and aspen-covered landscapes of the north, each forest provides a unique autumn experience. Visitors will find everything from vivid pockets of bright aspen to sweeping overlooks, quiet lakes, and wildlife‑rich wetlands.
Picturesque fall colors can be found in each of Minnesota’s 60 state forests, but here are a few suggested drives for this season:
Typical peak fall color is late September to early October.
What visitors will see:
Bear Island State Forest might be best known for its conifer stands, but visitors will still find vibrant pockets of fall color from aspen and birch mixed throughout the white and red pine, balsam fir, and spruce. Rolling terrain, quiet lakes, and the forest’s rugged North Woods character make a meander through Bear Island State Forest a peaceful and scenic autumn drive.
The forest lies next to the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, near the towns of Ely, Babbitt, Tower and Soudan. Portions of Prospector Trail, an off-highway vehicle trail, weave through the area, offering views of small lakes and stretches of forest. Bear Island Lake is a standout feature — large, island‑speckled, and tucked between the Vermilion and Mesabi ranges — with three public accesses and expansive fall vistas along its shoreline.
Where to go:
From Ely, head south on State Highway 21 toward Babbitt for about 17 miles. Turn left onto Ely Babbitt Road. This will turn into Scott Road. Continue onto National Forest 424 road, also called New Tomahawk Road. Explore Bear Island State Forest and reverse the route to return to Babbitt or Ely.
Typical peak fall color is early October to mid-October.
What visitors will see:
Located at the north end of Mille Lacs Lake, Wealthwood State Forest’s 15,000 acres feature rolling glacial hills with scenic views of mixed hardwood forest. The North Shore Forest Road is a short drive that ends at a managed sugar maple, basswood and red oak forest, complete with trails. Ripple River Wildlife Management Area contains aspen forests with wildlife like thundering grouse, secretive black bears and whitetail deer.
The mix of wetlands, open areas, and forest cover makes this a great place for fall wildlife viewing in addition to colorful foliage.
Where to go:
To get to the North Shore Forest Road, head east from Highway 169 on State Highway 18 for 3 miles and turn north on the North Shore Forest Road. Look for the green 405th Place street sign and a brown DNR forest road sign. Another option is to drive a loop that begins and ends in Malmo. Head west on State Highway 18 along the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake to State Highway 169 – stop at Ready Creek and access a wild stretch of sandy shoreline of Mille Lacs Lake. Travel north on 169 toward Aitkin to State Highway 47. Drive east on State Highway 47 to return to Malmo.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Typical peak fall color is mid- to late October.
What visitors will see:
This drive takes visitors through a portion of the more than 1 million acres of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest. Visitors will see a variety of hardwoods and have an opportunity to hike to the top of Barn Bluff on the south end of Red Wing for a dramatic view of the city, the Mississippi River and the surrounding forest.
For those who want to bring a bike, the Goodhue-Pioneer State Trail offers 4 miles of paved bike trail from Red Wing to Hay Creek Forestry Unit. Visitors can access the trailhead from the intersection of Hay Creek Trail/Twin Bluff Road and Pioneer Road.
Where to go:
At Frontenac, turn onto County Road 2 to head west for 9 miles. Take a right onto County Road 3 to head west for 4 miles. Take a right onto State Highway 58 to head north for 1.5 miles. Take a left onto Hay Creek Trail and go north for about 4.5 miles. Hay Creek Trail turns into Twin Bluff Road at Pioneer Trail. Continue on Twin Bluff Road for 1.5 miles and turn left on East Ave. to return to downtown Red Wing. And leaf viewers can’t go wrong driving Highway 61 between Red Wing and Winona.
Helpful resources for fall color travel
Downloading a georeferenced map can help guide people on their drive through a forest. Visit the state forest webpage for more information about visiting a state forest. There is no fee to visit and enjoy state forests, to park or for dispersed camping. State forest campground campsites do require a fee to stay overnight.
Visit the Minnesota Parks and Trails Fall Color Finder to find areas of the state with peak fall color. The Fall Color Finder is updated every Thursday through the end of October. People can also sign up on that webpage to receive mobile updates.