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Fall foliage near Chicagoday trips within 250 miles

Not in season now; usually around mid-October at Indiana Dunes, the nearest place we track.

In season near Chicago now

Plan this weekend from Chicago →

Where can I see fall foliage near Chicago?

We track 4 fall foliage places within 250 straight-line miles of Chicago, in Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. The nearest is Indiana Dunes, about 35 miles away (usually around mid-October).

Checked Sep 30. Sources: National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Oct 1

  • Usually peaking this week
  • Other weeks

Usually in peak the week of Oct 1

  • Necedah Refuge

    Usually: October

    198 miles from Chicago

  • Lakewood

    Statewide: usually well under way by early October

    243 miles from Chicago

By distance from Chicago

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 35 miIndiana DunesUsually around mid-October
  2. 198 miNecedah RefugeUsually: October
  3. 215 miShiawassee RefugeUsually: usually the second or third week of October
  4. 243 miLakewoodStatewide: usually well under way by early October

Questions people ask

What's the closest fall foliage to Chicago?

Indiana Dunes, about 35 straight-line miles away. Usually around mid-October.Source: National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the best week for fall foliage near Chicago?

Usually the week of Oct 8: 4 of the 4 places with timing are in their usual window then (Indiana Dunes, Necedah Refuge, Shiawassee Refuge and Lakewood). A season can run early or late.Sources: National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shiawassee NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the fall color season start first near Chicago?

Necedah Refuge (198 miles): usually: October.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Chicago?

From 35 to 243 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 1 are within 100 miles.