5 Minnesota fall drives to take while the leaves are changing

Fall color season is getting underway across Minnesota, and the state’s forests, lakes and river valleys are beginning to take on shades of yellow, orange and red.

With 60 state forests covering more than 4 million acres, there are plenty of places to see the changing leaves, whether the trip is a full weekend getaway or an afternoon drive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently highlighted three state forest routes for fall 2026, while Explore Minnesota has also pointed travelers toward several scenic fall drives around the state.

However, we here at the Daily Planet know how busy life can get, so we’re narrowing down your options. Here are five routes and destinations we know are worth considering this fall.

1. North Shore and Lutsen Mountains

Few Minnesota fall drives combine colorful forests and dramatic water views quite like the North Shore. The 154-mile North Shore All-American Scenic Drive follows Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Portage, passing through eight state parks and communities including Two Harbors, Lutsen and Grand Marais.

For a different perspective on the foliage, Lutsen Mountains offers scenic rides on its Summit Express Gondola. The ride climbs from the North Shore toward the Sawtooth Mountains and provides expansive views across the autumn landscape. Lutsen Mountains says the area’s fall colors typically begin arriving in early September.

2. Bear Island State Forest

Near Ely, Babbitt, Tower and Soudan, Bear Island State Forest offers a North Woods drive through a landscape of pine, spruce, fir, aspen and birch.

The forest’s typical peak color arrives in late September to early October. The route highlighted by the DNR begins in Ely and follows State Highway 21 toward Babbitt before turning onto Ely Babbitt Road, Scott Road and National Forest 424, also known as New Tomahawk Road.

Along the way, visitors can find views of quiet lakes and rolling forest, including Bear Island Lake, which is surrounded by the Vermilion and Mesabi ranges.

3. Wealthwood State Forest and Mille Lacs

At the north end of Mille Lacs Lake, Wealthwood State Forest offers more than 15,000 acres of rolling glacial hills and mixed hardwood forest.

The DNR’s suggested route includes the North Shore Forest Road, which leads into a managed sugar maple, basswood and red oak forest. The nearby Ripple River Wildlife Management Area adds wetlands, aspen forests and opportunities to spot wildlife. Peak color typically arrives from early to mid-October.

A longer loop can begin and end in Malmo, following State Highway 18 along the northern shore of Mille Lacs before continuing north on Highway 169 and east on Highway 47.

4. Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

For a later-season fall drive, southeastern Minnesota offers a very different landscape.

The Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest covers more than 1 million acres, and the DNR’s suggested route travels through the countryside near Red Wing and Frontenac. Typical peak color arrives in mid- to late October.

The route includes an opportunity to hike to the top of Barn Bluff for views over Red Wing, the Mississippi River and surrounding forests. The Goodhue-Pioneer State Trail also provides four miles of paved trail for cyclists.

For an extended fall drive, Highway 61 between Red Wing and Winona offers another scenic option along the Mississippi River.

5. Edge of the Wilderness

For a drive through northern Minnesota’s interior, the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway follows Highway 38 between Grand Rapids and Bigfork.

The route winds through the colorful mix of pine and hardwoods in the Chippewa National Forest. Travelers can extend the trip with a detour to Scenic State Park or explore back roads leading to lakes and hiking trails. Explore Minnesota lists the typical peak color period for the route as mid-September through early October.

Wherever the road leads, travelers can check Minnesota’s Fall Color Finder before heading out. The map tracks actual leaf-color progression and is updated regularly during the season.