Illustration

State guide

When to catch Minnesotathrough the year

The peaks we can name in Minnesota each belong to a place, not the whole state. Spring migrating birds at Sherburne: May; Staging sandhill cranes at Sherburne: the last two weeks of October.

When are you going?

Fall in Minnesota

USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEChippewa National ForestThe last two weeks of SeptemberMinnesota
“the last two weeks of September” · US Forest Service ↗
USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEMississippi River, Minneapolis–St. PaulAround the end of September to the first weekend in OctoberMinnesota
“around the end of September to the first weekend in October” · National Park Service ↗

More fall foliage:Sherburne Refuge Superior National Forest Voyageurs

Also good in fall

Chippewa National ForestBog cranberries
Litchfield Wetland DistrictGrassland birds (meadowlarks, godwits, sedge wrens, grasshopper sparrows, harriers) on district lands, March to November
Minnesota Valley RefugeCooler hikes, fewer biting insects
Mississippi River, Minneapolis–St. PaulUsual peak fall color
Rice Lake RefugeWild rice usually ready for harvest by Native Americans
Rydell RefugeFall migration: thousands of waterfowl on the refuge's wetlands and lakes

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Places in Minnesota

Pick a part of the state; the map follows

Spring
Fall
Winter

Places on this map, as a list

Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Northwoods

Elsewhere

Show the rest in Elsewhere (1) →

Upper Mississippi River RefugeSpring migration · April and MayWildlife by season · from April to August

Twin Cities area

Planning a Minnesota trip

Everything here from each place's own sources

Towns to stay in

Minneapolis, MNMississippi River, Minneapolis–St. Paul · 4 mi
Duluth, MNRice Lake Refuge · 57 mi
St. Cloud, MNSherburne Refuge · 23 mi

Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.

Current park alerts (NPS)

Voyageurs: Partial boat launch closure at Kabetogama Lake Sept 28 - Oct 5 ↗
Voyageurs: Increased bear activity and Dryweed Island area closures ↗

Browse by season and event

Fall foliage · 5 places hereFall foliage in Minnesota →Fall foliage, everywhere →
Spring migration · 5 places hereSpring migration, everywhere →
Winter wildlife · 5 places hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Wildflowers · 2 places hereWildflowers, everywhere →
Wildlife by season · 3 places hereWildlife by season, everywhere →

Questions people ask

Where is the fall color best on the Chippewa?

The Forest Service names the Marcell and Walker areas, where maple-birch and aspen grow together. Gold tamaracks and red maples are part of the show.Sources: US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest FAQs ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest scenic drives ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I camp during the fall color season at Chippewa National Forest?

Most campgrounds are open mid-May to mid-September, and some developed campgrounds stay open through mid-October.Source: US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest FAQs ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is there a fee at Litchfield Wetland District?

No, it's free to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Litchfield Wetland Management District: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where else can I go at Litchfield Wetland District?

All 156 of the district's waterfowl production areas and its four Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge tracts, spread across Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties, are open to the public. Check the district map first (it's being improved).Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Litchfield Wetland Management District: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is there hunting at Litchfield Wetland District?

Yes: hunting, fishing and trapping seasons generally follow state seasons and regulations. Call the district manager at 320-693-2849 with questions.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Litchfield Wetland Management District: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is the boardwalk open in winter at Litchfield Wetland District?

Yes, dawn to dusk all year, but it isn't cleared of snow.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Litchfield Wetland Management District: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Plan a Minnesota trip for your dates →Alerts for Minnesota

Nearby state guides: Wisconsin · Iowa · Michigan

Minnesota in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions

A wooden boardwalk with railings leading out over golden-brown wetland grasses under a pale evening sky — The office boardwalk at Litchfield Wetland Management District, over golden prairie wetland grasses (item dated November 18, 2015). Photo: Beverly Meyer/USFWS · public domain · resized

Still river water with clumps of brown marsh grass, a green wooded bluff behind it under a clear sky — The Minnesota River with brown marsh grasses at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Debbie Koenigs/USFWS · public domain · resized

A large flock of dark ducks taking off from blue water in front of brown reeds and bare trees — Ring-necked ducks taking flight from a shallow wetland at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge (item dated November 8, 2015). Photo: Donna Crider/USFWS · public domain · resized

How we know

Every timing on this page, from these pages; checked Sep 30

Sep 27Park ServicePeak color usually the last two weeks of September; Marcell and Walker areasSource (opens US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest FAQs in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife and featured species: mallard, blue-winged teal, grassland birdsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Litchfield Wetland Management District: Species in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceJune–August prairie wildflowers; native flowers in the prairie at Rapids Lake in summer; trails and seasonsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 27Park ServicePeak color usually end of September to the first weekend in October; Winchell Trail, Battle Creek, Coldwater Spring, MinnehahaSource (opens National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in fall in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceVisitor tips with the best months, what to do, restrooms, hours of the refuge and wildlife driveSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rice Lake NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: winter residents, spring migration, summer families, fall migrationSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Species in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

Show all 11

Sep 28Park ServiceMonth-by-month nature calendar: pasque flowers in April, native blossoms in May, wild lupine and wild rose in June, summer and fall prairie flowersSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
Sep 28Park ServiceFees, hours, the March–August wildlife sanctuary, Wildlife Drive vehicle season, restrooms, what to bringSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: spring songbirds, summer rookeries and frogs, fall waterfowl, winter eaglesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi River NWFR: Species in a new tab)
Sep 26Park ServiceColor starts to show mid-September; a short seasonSource (opens National Park Service, Fall in Voyageurs in a new tab)
National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.