Approximate time for leaf changing in upper Midwest?
 

When do the hardwoods normally change color in WI,MI,MN? I realize it cannot be predicted, with accuracy, just looking for general idea to do some early planning.
THANKS.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colo...o_gallery.html

look at the dates of the photos and then find the park on a map and you will get the general timeline. Octoberfest is in New Ulm the first two weekends of October and I like to drive along the Minnesota River to New Ulm at that time for the colors. Latitude makes a huge difference in seeing the peak colors.

Fall color usually peaks some time around late September in northern Minnesota, give or take a week. Color around the Twin Cities is about two weeks later.

In addition to changing sooner farther north, the colors change sooner inland. The Great Lakes are a moderating influence.

That said, in a typical year, the far west central part of Michigan's UP will peak at the end of September, The middle of the UP and the interior of the northern Lower Peninsula about the first week of October. Eastern UP, the shores of the northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the interior of the lower part about the 10-14th of October.

For Wisconsin this is a Great site
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/fall-color-report

Ron

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colo...ical_peak.html

This is a good map for Minnesota which matches pretty well with what I said earlier.

For reference, the Twin Cities are on the far right side at about the point where 3 and 4 meet. Duluth is also on the far right side at about the point where 2 and 3 meet. If you continue northeast beyond Duluth, you will travel along the North Shore of Lake Superior (which is beautiful), but Keith is exactly right - the colors along the shore will peak a few days to as much as a week later than the colors inland. Most people drive along the shore and don't go inland very far, so that difference between shore and inland color is very relevant info.

Thanks for all the great info. I will get my maps out tonight and dig in.

If it works with your schedule, Tahquamenon Falls is beautiful anytime, but spectacular in the fall. http://www.mightymac.org/tahquamenonfalls.htm

We always figure color peaks in the Holland/GrandHaven MI area on October 15th. I think the UP is about October 1.