The state of Wisconsin is known as an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise due to its vast swathes of woodlands, lakes, and preserves. Deciduous trees including oaks, maples, birches, and hickories are all known for turning beautiful shades of coral, yellow, gold, and brown during the fall.
The luscious colors make the state a must-see for fall color enthusiasts as well as enjoying the unique flavor of life that is Wisconsin.
Devils Lake State Park
Fall at Devils Lake State Park transforms this natural wonder into a breathtaking symphony of colors. As the season ushers in cooler temperatures, the park’s lush forests and towering bluffs come alive with vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Visitors can hike the park’s many trails, including the iconic East and West Bluff trails, to witness this stunning transformation up close.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful lake, great restaurants, and boutique shopping. The lake itself is surrounded by sloping hills that are full of mature trees and historic mansions that can be seen from both the roadways and the lake.
In order to get the most out of the trip, get on one of the paddlewheel boats that cruise around the edge of the shoreline for a close-up look.
Door County
Door County is located just north of Green Bay and consists of the peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan. It features multiple parks including Peninsula State Park, Newport State Park, and Potawatomi State Park.
All of these parks offer trails that take visitors through the trees and shorelines of Green Bay and Lake Michigan for an unparalleled view of the lake and forests during fall.
Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest is a U.S. National Forest that consists of more than 1.5 million acres and delivers incredible color during the fall. The Forest Service provides a weekly fall color report that helps you plan your trip. Go for the day and have a picnic, or plan to camp for a few days to watch the trees turn color.
The forest is full of trails that offer a variety of viewpoints to see the changing leaves. Make it a point to head to the Mountain Fire Lookout Tower and climb up for the best views of the region.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
The Richard Bong State Recreation Area is a 4,500-acre outdoor recreational preserve that’s located a few miles west of I-94. The preserve is mostly prairie, but the trees are plentiful, making the combination of the colors of prairie grass going dormant and trees entering hibernation a beautiful sight to behold.
The land is mostly flat, which means the trails are easy for visitors of all ages. Fishing, hunting, picnicking, and camping are all allowed at the preserve.
Rib Mountain State Park
Rib Mountain State Park is a state park that centers itself around Rib Mountain, considered one of the oldest geological formations on earth. It’s located about 2 hours north of Madison and visitors are required to buy a vehicle admission sticker to get into the park.
The main attraction, Rib Mountain, features a trail that leads to its peak and offers views of the surrounding terrain. It’s the ultimate destination for those who want to view fall colors and see the nearby Wisconsin River from high up.
Hayward
Hayward is a small resort town that’s located near the Wisconsin/Minnesota state borders. The town itself sits next to the Namekagon River and is adjacent to Hayward Lake, both of which are surrounded by forests that deliver fall colors.
The town of Haywood is a slice of Americana in that it’s full of roadside attractions, restaurants with home-cooked meals, and the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame with larger-than-life representations of fish spread around the grounds.
Spring Green – Taliesin and House on the Rock
Spring Green is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and Alex Jordan’s House on the Rock. Both attractions couldn’t be more different from one another, but House on the Rock is surrounded by heavily forested land, and Taliesin features beautiful landscaping behind a tree-filled backdrop.
The vistas from both destinations deliver plenty of satisfaction when it comes to leaf peeping and the surprisingly hilly terrain of the region.