Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      Hot off the minds of Midwest travel writers: a fresh look at where to eat, drink, play and stay around the region. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. Like the brandy in an Old-Fashioned, these timeless institutions only get better with age.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are—and is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. No complaints! (The alternate version, with ham and cream, is excellent too.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    With visions of dinner parties and game nights dancing in their heads, a Chicago couple renovated their historic (and first) home, one DIY project at a time.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf shares how to make blooms last longer—and repeat.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Buses, trains and very few automobiles—check out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Travel
  3. Around the Region
  4. Favorite Midwest Parks for Fall Color

Favorite Midwest Parks for Fall Color

By Midwest Living editors Updated October 03, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
View of the St Croix River from MN Interstate Park at sunset.
Credit: Courtesy of NPS / Eret

Whether you're up for a short ramble or a more adventurous outing, we've got ideas throughout the Midwest for parks where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the best of Midwest fall color.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wisconsin: Interstate State Park

View of the St Croix River from MN Interstate Park at sunset.
Credit: Courtesy of NPS / Eret

Choosing between Minnesota and Wisconsin's Interstate state parks feels a little like asking a mother which child she prefers. A mom can't play favorites, but we can. The parks face off across the St. Croix River. Both offer cool hikes by rocky glacial potholes, but the larger Wisconsin park (50 miles northeast of Saint Paul) also has a large lake, a heron rookery and a wildlife trail. If you want to visit both, the US-8 bridge links the parks.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Indiana: Brown County State Park

Indiana: Brown County State Park
Credit: John Noltner

The peaceful vistas alone warrant a day trip to Indiana's largest state park (60 miles south of Indianapolis), but resort-style extras make Brown County State Park a full-fledged destination. The great on-site stable offers horseback trips and pony rides, and there's a restaurant-lodge. More than 18 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails spread over the area, winding around hills and beside streams. Fall scenery also unfolds from nearly 20 miles of tree-lined roads.

Related: The Midwest's Largest Concentration of Covered Bridges is in Western Indiana—Here's Where to Find Them

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

South Dakota: Custer State Park

Sylvan Lake Sunset, South Dakota
Credit: Jesse Brown Nelson

At 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is one of the nation's largest state parks, known for granite spires called Needles and the 1,500 head of bison that wander freely. You can't go wrong with any of the trails here for fall color, but for a short, 1-mile walk, it's hard to beat the loop around lovely Sylvan Lake. Drive the Needles Highway for spectacular views of the granite formations.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park

Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Hocking Hills Tourism

The Hocking Hills region attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its trails that lead through forests to caves and rock formations. At Hocking Hills State Park (55 miles southeast of Columbus), hikers find sweeping overlooks, fern-filled valleys and shelf caves. Favorite trails for fall foliage include Cedar Falls, Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and the Grandma Gatewood Trail. Nearby Hocking State Forest and Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve also offer spectacular fall vistas.

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Michigan: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

The Porkies (150 miles west of Marquette) embody Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula, with 59,000 wild acres, 90 miles of trails and, if you get away from the campsites, not too many visitors. If you only go once, be sure to stop and drop your jaw at the Lake of the Clouds vistas, ringed in fall by a necklace of color. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park also claims dozens of waterfalls, including a spectacular series easily accessible along the half-mile boardwalk of the Presque Isle River Scenic Area. 

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Illinois: Starved Rock State Park

Illinois: Starved Rock State Park

This remarkable pocket of land along the Illinois River includes 18 sandstone canyons; 14 waterfalls; abundant wildlife and birds; and guided hikes, special events and interpretive programs. The free guided hikes are a great way to see the highlights of Starved Rock State Park. If you're up for more exploration, also visit neighboring Matthiessen State Park, where 5 miles of trails carve into the mile-long canyon, passing rocks, waterfalls and beautiful, sometimes dizzying, vantage points. (Note: Matthiessen is closed for the 2022-23 deer hunting season; check website for latest status.)

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Minnesota: North Shore state parks

Gooseberry Falls State Park
Credit: Beth Mancuso

North of Duluth on State-61, the turnoffs for fabulous state parks come one after another, like Burma Shave signs flashing past your window: Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche. All told, eight parks sit along the North Shore, loaded with waterfalls, forest trails and achingly beautiful Lake Superior views.

Also in the area, woods dotted with maples flaming red and orange attract visitors to the 277-mile Superior Hiking Trail. Less adventuresome travelers can take a leisurely ride to panoramic views on the mountain tram in Sawtooth Mountain Park or just drive the North Shore Scenic Drive (State-61), which runs 150 miles from Duluth at the southwestern tip of the lake to Grand Portage at the Canadian border.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Iowa: Pikes Peak State Park

Iowa: Pikes Peak State Park

Mississippi and Wisconsin river views unfold from trails in Pikes Peak State Park (65 miles northwest of Dubuque). Stand on a 500-foot bluff overlooking the confluence of the rivers, walk past spring-fed streams and waterfalls, or wander through large wooded tracts cloaked in fall colors of red and gold. The park borders the small town of McGregor (population: 876), a onetime steamboat port.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Indiana: Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park in Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana's best all-around park (65 miles west of Indianapolis) has a large lodge; hiking trails through deep, wooded ravines; horseback riding; hayrides; and an impressive, year-round lineup of naturalist programming, including walks, history talks and live-animal presentations.

For fall color, stretch your legs on any of Turkey Run State Park's 11 trails—from a half-mile to 3 miles long— that lead through gorges, past geological landmarks and to historical sites such as the 1848 Colonel Lieber Cabin.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Iowa: Ledges State Park

Ledges State Park, Iowa
Credit: Andy Barlett

A web of steep trails loops over the sandstone cliffs along Pease Creek at Ledges State Park, 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. Take an easy stroll along Canyon Road, or hike up several trails that wind up the canyon sides, including ones that lead to a rocky overlook of the Des Moines River. The trail around Lost Lake is flatter, but fall colors flutter in the breeze there as well.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Michigan: Mackinac Island State Park

Mackinac Island State Park
Credit: John Noltner

Mackinac Island State Park surprises visitors with its faraway-woods feel, despite being a few hundred yards from downtown. More than 80 percent of Mackinac Island is within the state park. Hike, bike or ride a horse through forests, past geological formations and along limestone bluffs. One of our favorites: Tranquil Bluff Trail, which traces the eastern shore, where red, brown and golden leaves drift down from a canopy of red oaks, beeches and maples.

Related: Top Things to Do in the Mackinac Island Area, Michigan

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wisconsin: Peninsula State Park

Wisconsin: Peninsula State Park
Credit: Photo Courtesy of doorcounty.com/ Door County Visitor Bureau

Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, camping, golf and the historic Eagle Bluff lighthouse are among the highlights of Peninsula State Park, one of the most popular destinations in Door County. Visit the website for fall information. The Sunset Trail, a 9.6-mile gravel route, is a great introduction to the park; the relatively flat trail begins at the Fish Creek entrance and winds along the western and northern part of the park, through forest, over marsh and rarely far from the waters of Green Bay. The trail is open to bikes, wheelchairs and foot traffic.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Missouri: Katy Trail State Park

Katy Trail Bikes Missouri
Credit: Starboard and Port

The 240 miles of mostly flat crushed-limestone trail brings cyclists to wineries, cafes and B&Bs across the state to Katy Trail State Park. If you want to bike most of the route, take Amtrak from St. Louis west to Sedalia, or vice versa, and bike back (208 miles). Or, arrange multi-night trips, including stays and a shuttle, through Independent Tourist. For day-use, Katy Bike Rental has a shuttle service.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nebraska: Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park in Nebraska
Credit: Courtesy of Ponca State Park

Along the Missouri River bluffs in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca State Park spreads out over almost 2,400 acres of heavily forested hills and Missouri River bottomland. Activities include a rich lineup of outdoor education programs and 20 miles of varied hiking trails. The park's annual Hallowfest in October typically offers  haunted hayrack rides, a campsite-decorating contest, pumpkin rolling and carving contests, and more.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ohio: Edge of Appalachia Preserve

Ohio: Edge of Appalachia Preserve
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Tom Cross/Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau

The Edge of Appalachia Preserve could be considered the crown jewel of Adams County's parks. The nearly 17,000 acre sanctuary, run by the Nature Conservancy and the Cincinnati Museum Center, offers three hiking trails, including Buzzardroost Rock, but most of The Edge lies untouched. Roughly 1,200 plant species grow here, many rare or endangered. Like Adams County itself, the preserve feels blessedly undiscovered—it rewards explorers more than tourists.

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Minneapolis: Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Falls

Fall color arrives as early as September along the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities. Popular Minnehaha Park, off the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, draws visitors with its 53-foot waterfall, river overlooks and shaded trails, all in a tidy 193-acre space. When you're ready to move on, visit some of the other parks and lakes accessible from the 55-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the country's only official urban scenic byway.

Related: 9 Ways to Navigate Minneapolis' Chain of Lakes Like a Local

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

St. Louis: Forest Park

St. Louis: Forest Park

Larger than New York's Central Park and chock-full of activities, this sprawling 1,293 acres attracts locals and visitors. Tour Forest Park by foot, bicycle or boat. Free attractions in the park include the Saint Louis Zoo, with lush landscaping perfect for enjoying on a fall day. 

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Illinois: Pere Marquette State Park

Illinois: Pere Marquette State Park
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Roads and trails weave through this bluff-top park north of Grafton overlooking the Illinois River near its meeting of the Mississippi. The renovated Civilian Conservation Corps-built lodge, with fried chicken dinners and a massive lobby fireplace, is an area fall-drive destination. At 8,050 acres, Pere Marquette is Illinois' largest state park and offers 12 miles of hiking trails, as well as horseback riding and camping. Bird-watching is popular during fall migration season.

Related: 6 Simple Tips to Start Bird Watching—Plus the Gear You Need

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nebraska: Indian Cave State Park

Nebraska: Indian Cave State Park
Credit: Photo Courtesy of NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

This 3,000-acre park in southeast Nebraska (80 miles south of Omaha) offers 20 miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests known for their brilliant fall colors. The Missouri River curves through Indian Cave State Park along sandstone bluffs marked with hollows and caves. The rugged area is popular with hikers, campers and backpackers.

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

More ideas for parks with great fall color

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Credit: Aaron Peterson

Midwest Living's social media fans also suggested these destinations:

* Backbone State Park, west of Dubuque, Iowa

* Copper Falls State Park, Mellen, Wisconsin

* Newton Hills State Park, Canton, South Dakota

* Jubilee College State Park near Brimfield, Illinois

* The Dawes Arboretum, Newark, Ohio

* Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling, Michigan

* Castle Rock State Park, Oregon, Illinois

* Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, Michigan

* Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Michigan (pictured)

* Boulder Junction, Wisconsin

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Midwest Living editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 Wisconsin: Interstate State Park
    2 of 20 Indiana: Brown County State Park
    3 of 20 South Dakota: Custer State Park
    4 of 20 Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
    5 of 20 Michigan: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
    6 of 20 Illinois: Starved Rock State Park
    7 of 20 Minnesota: North Shore state parks
    8 of 20 Iowa: Pikes Peak State Park
    9 of 20 Indiana: Turkey Run State Park
    10 of 20 Iowa: Ledges State Park
    11 of 20 Michigan: Mackinac Island State Park
    12 of 20 Wisconsin: Peninsula State Park
    13 of 20 Missouri: Katy Trail State Park
    14 of 20 Nebraska: Ponca State Park
    15 of 20 Ohio: Edge of Appalachia Preserve
    16 of 20 Minneapolis: Minnehaha Park
    17 of 20 St. Louis: Forest Park
    18 of 20 Illinois: Pere Marquette State Park
    19 of 20 Nebraska: Indian Cave State Park
    20 of 20 More ideas for parks with great fall color

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Favorite Midwest Parks for Fall Color
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.