You'll Be Happy To Hear That Minnesota's Fall Foliage Is Expected To Be Bright And Bold This Year
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Whether you’re a born-and-raised Minnesotan or you’re just passing through, there’s one thing you should know about the Land of 10,000 Lakes: we do fall better than anywhere else. Besides the many autumnal activities around the state — apple picking, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and more — we also have incredible fall foliage. Year after year, some of the best colors in the country are found here. For the 2018 season, things are shaping up to be no different. Take a look:
In every region of Minnesota, there are beautiful landscapes that, when fall rolls around, are ripe with color.
The SmokyMountains.com fall color predictor uses weather and other historical data to predict peak leaf times for every part of the country.
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For most of Minnesota, the trees are still wearing their summertime colors for another week or so. By September 10, far northern Minnesota trees will see "minimal" color.
By September 17, the change will spread through the northern half of Minnesota. And by September 24, the entire state will see at least some fall foliage.
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The best spots to see the fall foliage in Minnesota are always the state parks. Along the North Shore, many of the most beautiful spots are parks along the lake.
Head to Gooseberry Falls or Tettegouche — or any Arrowhead region park — during the week of October 8 to see the leaves at peak.
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Another good spot to see changing leaves is from the top of Minnesota. During the same time, head up to Eagle Mountain. Surrounded by forest, with distant lake views, it will be awash with the blazing colors of fall.
In the weeks after October 8, the rest of Minnesota will be in peak leaf season. Many parks in central and southern Minnesota — Banning, Mille Lacs Kathio, and Snelling State Parks, to name a few — are excellent spots for seeing the leaves change.
What about southern Minnesota? This spot is often overlooked for the big woods and lakes of the north, but it's an incredible region of the state — and great for late-season leaf peeping.
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The southeast, with its bluffs and rivers, is particularly beautiful. Great River Bluffs State Park is absolutely incredible in fall, as is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park with its hidden waterfall.
In the southwest, we can't recommend any of its state parks highly enough. This beautiful region of Minnesota may not have many big forests, but it is still gorgeous in the fall. Try out Kilen Woods or Blue Mounds State Park for some of the most unique scenery in the state.
The peak fall foliage times in Minnesota are from October 8 to just after October 22. Of course, it's impossible to know for sure, so your best bet is to use out the DNR's Fall Color Finder for daily color updates.
Where are your favorite places to see fall leaves in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments down below!
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