Your Northwoods Fall Foliage Starter Pack: 5 Quick Trips with Amazing Views

Autumn has officially arrived, and the forests Up North are transforming right before our eyes. This week, color ranges between 30% and 60% peak, with most local communities’ peak foliage forecasted to be the first week of October—just a little more than a week away! Here are some short trips to take by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or car for those intense golds, russets, and crimsons you’re yearning for. We’ve also included some ideas for places to go for a delicious meal en route.

Timm’s Hill County Park – Ogema

What better vantage point to see fall foliage than from the highest natural point in Wisconsin?! Starting in Prentice, follow County Road C south to County Road RR. You’ll see a sign at the junction that reads, “Road to Timm’s Hill County Park 1 mile”. Turn left onto County Road RR; then turn left onto the paved road at the entrance to the park. Follow the road until you reach the parking lot for the Timm’s Hill trail. This trail gains 140 feet over the quarter-mile to the summit. At the summit, you’ll find two towers: a newer wooden tower you can climb by stairs and an older steel radio tower for the more daring among us, which you can climb via ladder. After taking in the sweeping view of the glowing canopy and lovely Bass Lake, climb down and continue your hike along the Ice Age Trail or drive over to Hill of Beans Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or a warming cup of coffee.

North Lakeland Discovery Center – Manitowish Waters

Bring your hiking shoes or bicycle to enjoy the gentle terrain of North Lakeland Discovery Center’s 12-mile trail systems. You’ll meander through the woods and along the shores of a lake, bog, and river. Admire the foliage as you explore a variety of unique habitats. After your hike or ride, drive, walk, or bike down County Road W less to discover the Aurora Borealis Restaurant, where a filling breakfast of huevos rancheros will set you up for a day of perusing the shops in Manitowish Waters (or perhaps more biking along the Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail, which rolls right by the restaurant) .

Hiawatha Trail – Nokomis

Just behind the iconic ice cream shop, The Windmill, is a trestle where you’ll want to pause and look out over the water a little while. After basking in the peaceful view, we encourage you to walk back toward The Windmill and then keep going! You’ll soon enter an inviting conifer forest that soon opens up for a beautiful view of Lake Nokomis. The trail is on a narrow tract of land over the lake, so it offers beautiful water views on both sides. Keep going and you’ll again enter a thicket of both evergreen and deciduous trees, making this an ideal walk to enjoy on a fall day. Two miles north of where you begin, at Prairie Rapids Road, makes a great turnaround spot. Head back and enjoy the water and woodland views in reverse. Once you’re back at your starting point, walk across County Road L to the Tilted Loon Saloon to enjoy a Tiki Burger or the Tilted Chicken Flat.

Bearskin State Trail – Minocqua

For a delicious fall stroll or bike ride on a flat trail over lakes and through the woods, set out on the Minocqua trailhead of the Bearskin State Trail, cross the iconic trestle over Minocqua Lake, and keep going just as long as you want! The Bearskin State Trail proceeds south for 18 miles, where it meets the Hiawatha Trail in Harshaw, so you will have miles of pleasant fall walking or riding, however long you choose to go. After you have turned back and reached the trailhead again, turn right onto Park Avenue, and you’ll find a low-key and delicious spot for lunch: the Thirsty Whale. Whether you opt for the Hunger Killer (a hearty roasted beef sandwich with mozzarella and other fix-ins) or the Malibu Chicken (with fried chicken, shaved ham, honey mustard, and Swiss cheese), you will walk away happy.

Rustic Road 60 – Boulder Junction, Sayner–Star Lake, and Conover

For an unbeatable motorcycle or car ride with incredible views at each turn, start in Boulder Junction on Highway M and head south to Highway K, also known as Rustic Road 60. Follow Rustic Route 60 as it winds through dense hardwood and conifer forests, past logging camps and lakes, to Sayner–Star Lake. Continue on Highway K to Conover and stop for a Burnt Bridge Deluxe Pizza or a Wisconsin Burger at the Burnt Bridge Tavern, before turning onto Highway 45, which will lead you south to Eagle River or north to Land O’ Lakes.

Which is your favorite route to view amazing fall foliage Up North?