6 Must-Visit Midwest Destinations for Spectacular Autumn Colors
The Midwest delivers some of the country’s most reliable and accessible fall foliage. While it doesn’t attract the same national attention as the Northeast, this region houses forested drives, quiet parks, and town festivals where the season takes center stage.
Here are some destinations that highlight the variety of places where you can experience the colors of this time of the year.
M-119 Tunnel of Trees, Michigan
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This two-lane road runs for about 20 miles between Harbor Springs and Cross Village along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Dense hardwoods on both sides create a canopy that turns bright red, orange, and yellow in early October. The route is narrow, so traffic naturally moves at slower speeds and gives you time to take it all in.
Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska
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Tree enthusiasts helped establish Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City as part of the broader conservation effort tied to Arbor Day’s origins. Today, you can walk its pathways, explore a working orchard, or take children through the Tree Adventure. It also has several tall bridges and towers that give a better perspective of the changing seasons.
Leavenworth, Kansas
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We all look for places in autumn where we can spend a few hours outdoors without dealing with crowds or long drives. Leavenworth works well for people who enjoy walking pathways, river views, and smaller historic towns. Nearby residential streets are lined with mature maples and oaks that turn gold by early October.
Parke County, Indiana
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In mid-October, Parke County hosts the Covered Bridge Festival when the trees across western Indiana change colors. The county has 31 historic wooden bridges, many over 100 years old, set among creeks, farmland, and wooded hills. The ten-day event spans towns like Rockville and Mansfield, with local food, crafts, and antique markets.
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
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This forest covers over 280,000 acres in southern Illinois and includes sandstone cliffs, wooded trails, and ridges shaped by ancient erosion. Garden of the Gods stands out as its most visited site, known for massive rock formations that overlook miles of tree-covered hills. When the leaves turn, the appearance becomes especially striking.
Katy Trail, Missouri
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The Katy Trail, a former railroad corridor, is now the country’s longest developed rail trail. It stretches nearly 240 miles across Missouri and follows the Missouri River for large sections. In fall, cottonwoods and sycamores shift to warm tones, especially near river bends and bluffs. The trail connects with towns like St. Charles, a spot tied to Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
Branson, Missouri
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During the fall, Branson’s biggest draw is Silver Dollar City’s Harvest Festival. The park lines paths with thousands of pumpkins and hosts live demonstrations of crafts like blacksmithing and soap-making. The festival has nighttime events where carved pumpkins light up walkways. Outside the park, travelers head to Lost Canyon Cave for a guided ride past waterfalls.
Jamestown, North Dakota
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Tree-lined parks and residential streets in Jamestown light up by late September. Families visit the A-Maze-N Clown Pumpkin Patch, which features seasonal activities like a corn cannon, bounce houses, and a petting zoo. Bison roam near the towering Buffalo Monument, which stands above a patch of prairie.
Rapid City, South Dakota
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Sitting at the edge of the Black Hills, Rapid City gives access to high ridges, winding roads, and state parks with open wildlife viewing. Custer State Park draws people in autumn with its Wildlife Loop, where herds of elk and bison cross through open valleys.
Kettle Moraine Drive, Wisconsin
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If you are planning a mid-October trip through Wisconsin, this 115-mile route has wide views of trees across ridges, lakes, and hills. The drive connects the northern and southern units of Kettle Moraine State Forest, which is mainly made up of maple, oak, and birch.
Minnesota’s North Shore
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Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage offers some of Minnesota’s best fall views. In early October, birch and maple along the route turn bright yellow and red, framed by Lake Superior. The lake’s cooler air often stretches the color season a bit longer. Stops like Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse have short trails that lead to clear overlooks of the shoreline and forest.
Arcadia Valley, Missouri
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Three state parks—Taum Sauk Mountain, Elephant Rocks, and Johnson’s Shut-Ins—are located within a short drive of each other, which makes Arcadia Valley a straightforward area to explore during autumn. Each park ensures a different experience tied to the season: open ridgelines at Taum Sauk, granite formations at Elephant Rocks, and cooler air along the shaded pools at the Shut-Ins.
Boone, Iowa
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Rail Explorers in Boone lets visitors ride pedal-assisted rail cars along historic tracks. The route runs 12 miles through rural Iowa and crosses two bridges with open views of fields and forest. For those traveling with younger children, the Iowa Arboretum features educational gardens and a popular treehouse play area.
Brown County, Indiana
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One area that starts to come alive in late September is Brown County. The park is a well-known location here, which draws hikers, cyclists, and photographers to its 16,000 acres of hardwood forest. Frequent stops include the west lookout and fire tower, both of which offer wide scenes of the canopy below.
Great River Road, Illinois
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You can follow this 500-mile scenic byway along Illinois’s western edge and see the Mississippi River framed by turning trees well into late October. The river’s steady temperatures often stretch the season longer than inland areas. North of there, Galena makes a good stop, with hills, preserved 1800s buildings, and small museums.