Colorama is synonymous with autumn’s outdoor beauty. The change in the color of leaves makes for a breathtaking view almost anywhere you go from mid/late September to the second week of October. Photographers of all abilities are primed to capture these iconic scenes, many taken from overlooks and near rivers and lakes. Here’s a sampling of our favorite spots for Colorama awe:

Timm’s Hill

An excellent place to take in nature’s fall canopy of color is from Timm’s Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin, with an elevation of 1,952 feet above sea level. It is located in the Timm’s Hill County Park in Price County at 45 degrees 27’04” north latitude, 90 degrees 11’42” west longitude. The park gate is open 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. approximately May through October. The entire area is heavily forested with northern hardwoods and is spectacular during the fall color season. From the summit, you can also see Bass Lake and Timm’s Lake. Timm’s Hill is located less than a mile south of Highway 86, midway between the towns of Ogema and Spirit, approximately 23 miles west of Tomahawk.

Smith Rapids Covered Bridge

The Smith Rapids Covered Bridge is located at N14900 Smith Rapids Road, which is 14 miles east of Fifield on State Highway 70 and then north 2 miles on Forest Road 148. The bridge is located on Wisconsin’s Rustic Road 105 in the heart of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and spans the South Fork of the Flambeau River. Constructed in 1991, the bridge uses an attractive diamond-shaped truss pattern, called the Town Lattice. The 90-foot-wide Smith Rapids Covered Bridge is the only glue-laminated Town Lattice covered bridge in Wisconsin. There is a nearby campground, and riders can access the ATV/UTV trail there.

Saxon Falls Overlook

You can’t go home without seeing at least one beautiful waterfall! (And aren’t they all beautiful?) Directions to the Saxon Falls Overlook: From Hurley: travel about 11 miles west on US 2 to the intersection with CTH B; head north on CTH B for roughly 2.7 miles at which point CTH B will curve to the west. Do not follow the curve, but rather continue north on Saxon Falls Road (unpaved) down the hill approximately 0.5 miles to the unpaved parking area, which is located at 46.535797, -90.380255. On foot, follow the short, wooded hiking trail to the east of the parking area, which leads to the overlook location. The best way to visit the falls is to drive to the dam. From here, there is a trail that leads to the falls. Most of the trail is a boardwalk built on top of the diversion pipes. It crosses the river to the Michigan side.