Where to see Minnesota fall colors this week
Published 9:02 am Friday, October 21, 2016
By Nancy Yang
MPR News/90.1 FM
It seems like the fall color season just began and it’s already practically over.
Much of Minnesota is now past peak for leaf-peeping, but the good news is that if you head south, you’ll still be able to see some vibrant red, gold and orange (although that rainbow way up high in northwestern Minnesota piques our curiosity).
You can track the fall colors — what’s left of them, anyway — on the Department of Natural Resources’ interactive map.
Here are this week’s top picks for places to go:
Lac Qui Parle State Park
For a great view of the colors around the lake, check out the overlook on County Road 32.
Note: A controlled goose hunt began Thursday and runs through Dec. 28.
Whitewater State Park
Hike the Coyote Point Trail for some of the best views of the colorful bluffs.
William O’Brien State Park
The Prairie Overlook Trail is always a fall favorite — the view from the top looks over the St. Croix River Valley.
Or, head over to the prairie to see flowers and prairie grasses — you’ll see plenty of sumac, golden rods and little bluestems.
Note: Happy Falloween! On Saturday night, the park is hosting a fall festival. Campers can decorate their campsite, kids can go trick-or-treating in the campground and a storyteller will regale listeners with tales around the campfire. An astronomer will also be on hand with a telescope, and a marshmallow roast will cap the festivities.