Seney Refugefall foliage
The first two weeks of October are usually Seney's best weeks for fall color, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window hasn't started yet this year.
Right now at Seney Refuge
Right now in Seney Refuge · September
- Best months for fall migratory birds, September and October · Sep–Oct
- Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20 · May–Oct
- Least buggy months, July to October · Jul–Oct
Visitor reports, not verified
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Next 7 days at Seney Refuge
- TodayChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy71° / 56°54% rain
- ThuMostly Cloudy69° / 40°6% rain
- FriMostly Sunny62° / 30°3% rain
- SatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny64° / 38°40% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers62° / 31°40% rain
- MonWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny58° / 32°6% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 30°F): Friday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night.
Today: sunrise 7:42 a.m., sunset 7:28 p.m., light until 7:58 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Best spots around Seney National Wildlife Refuge
- Marshland Wildlife DriveA seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall
- Northern Hardwoods Trail SystemThe trails off Robinson Road, part of the refuge's 12-plus miles of trails; open all year to hikers, runners and photographers, and groomed for Nordic skiing in winter
Nearby
Statewide timing, for places without their own: Wisconsin: usually well under way by early October.
- Pictured Rocks35 miUsually either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of OctoberSatAreas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Hiawatha National Forest51 mistarting in late SeptemberSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Harbor Island Refuge107 miUsually the first two weeks of OctoberSatSunny
- Lakewood141 miSatMostly Sunny
- Chequamegon-Nicolet152 miSatPatchy Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Au Sable River178 miOctoberSatSunny
The year at Seney Refuge
- Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20NowMay–Oct
- May: Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May)May
- May: Listen for the calls of rails, late MayMay
- Best months to see wildlife with young, June to AugustJun–Aug
- Jun: Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early JuneJun
- Least buggy months, July to OctoberNowJul–Oct
- Best months for fall migratory birds, September and OctoberNowSep–Oct
- Oct: Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can restOct
- Oct: Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of OctoberOct
Elevation and timing: North of 42°N, higher places usually peak earlier. 2 of those charted places are in this state. Each place's own sources and USGS elevations. See the chart →
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Upper Midwest, river birch is ahead of a typical year; American elm is behind. Which trees turn when →
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Seney National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
The first two weeks of October are usually Seney's best weeks for fall color, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: The first two weeks of Oct. are usually the best weeks for fall color. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Seney National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not yet: its usual fall foliage timing is The first two weeks of Oct. are usually the best weeks for fall color, local timing.
What changes color at Seney?
Maple, birch and aspen leaves turn, tamarack needles go bright gold before they drop, and goldenrods and asters add color on the forest floor.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I see the color by bike or by boat?
Yes. The refuge says the fall colors are breathtaking by car, bike, foot, canoe or kayak. Unless posted, all refuge roads are open to bikes and hikers; the Pine Ridge Nature Trail and the ski trails are not open to bikes.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Hiking ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When does the wildlife drive close for the year?
October 20. After that the refuge's roads and trails stay open daily from dawn to dusk.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which days are quietest?
Sunday to Wednesday. Thursday and Saturday are the busiest days.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Marshland Wildlife Drive: a seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall; Northern Hardwoods Trail System: the trails off Robinson Road, part of the refuge's 12-plus miles of trails; open all year to hikers, runners and photographers, and groomed for Nordic skiing in winter.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct).
What is Seney National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May) (May), Listen for the calls of rails, late May (May), Best months to see wildlife with young, June to August (Jun–Aug), Best months for fall migratory birds, September and October (Sep–Oct), Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20 (May–Oct), Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct), Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of October (Oct), Least buggy months, July to October (Jul–Oct) and Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early June (Jun).
How we know · Sources (6)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Hiking (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)