Minnesota landscapes transform with autumn foliage

Fall foliage is transforming the landscape across Minnesota, offering seasonal activities from the North Shore to local prairies. Along the 154-mile North Shore All-American Scenic Drive, colors change in stages. Inland maples in the Sawtooth Mountains typically reach peak color between late September and early October, while birch and aspen trees near Lake Superior follow later.

Key locations along the shore include Duluth, which serves as a major urban hub, and Two Harbors, which maintains a connection to the lake through its ore docks. Further north, the terrain rises into the Sawtooth Mountains near Lutsen. Seasonal events such as ‘Art Along the Lake’ run from late September through early October in Cook County.

In addition to trees, local prairies feature late-blooming flowers like asters, goldenrods, and sneezeweed. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly updated Fall Color Finder to assist residents and visitors in planning their seasonal excursions.