Superior National Forest, Minnesotafall foliage
No reports yet this season for Superior National Forest.
Right now in Superior National Forest · September
- Laurentian Fall Color Tour · Sep–Nov
- Boundary Waters quota permit season · May–Sep
- Baker Lake campground open · May–Sep
10days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by mid-October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 79% chanceTuesday, Tuesday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 12:12 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Superior National Forest
Last spring frost usually in ~8 months
Sep 27Average first fall frost
May 26Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Lutsen 3nne station (11.7 mi away, 1,300 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Superior National Forest through the year
- Boundary Waters quota permit seasonNowMay–Sep
- Baker Lake campground openNowMay–Sep
- Laurentian Fall Color TourNowSep–Nov
Best spots around Superior National Forest
- Sawtooth Mountains Fall Color TourFour signed routes through maples, tamaracks and birches
- Oberg and LeVeaux trailsTop fall views; 2¼ and 3½ miles round trip
- Gunflint Trail Scenic BywayAbout 57 miles north from Grand Marais
- Superior National Forest Scenic Byway54 miles of forest from Silver Bay to Aurora
Around Minnesota this week
- Voyageurs118 mi · National Park Service says color starts to show in mid-September, varying year to yearTodayrain likelyTuerain likelyWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Chippewa National Forest133 mi · usually Sep 17–30Todayrain likelyTuerain likelyWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Mississippi River, Minneapolis–St. Paul216 mi · usually Sep 24–Oct 7Todaydry and calmTuerain likelyWedrain likelyThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
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 →
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Laurentian Fall Color Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Sawtooth Mountains Fall Color Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Baker Lake Rustic Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Superior National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Superior National Forest yet. Statewide for Minnesota: color is usually well under way by mid-October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Superior National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 10 days (usually well under way by mid-October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
Do fall color drives share the road with logging trucks?
Yes: the Forest Service says to watch for and yield to logging trucks, and to pull over to let faster cars pass.Source: US Forest Service, Laurentian Fall Color Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Superior National Forest?
Sawtooth Mountains Fall Color Tour: four signed routes through maples, tamaracks and birches; Oberg and LeVeaux trails: top fall views; 2¼ and 3½ miles round trip; Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway: about 57 miles north from Grand Marais; Superior National Forest Scenic Byway: 54 miles of forest from Silver Bay to Aurora.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Superior National Forest?
Boundary Waters quota permit season (May–Sep).
What is Superior National Forest like through the year?
Laurentian Fall Color Tour (Sep–Nov), Boundary Waters quota permit season (May–Sep) and Baker Lake campground open (May–Sep).