As the season changes, trees across the country will once again turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red.
When will those fall colors reach their peak in Minnesota? Here’s what experts are saying as autumn arrives.
When is the first day of fall?
The autumnal equinox marks the astronomical start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. The date varies by year, and in 2025, it’s Sept. 22.
However, the meteorological start of fall runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, which makes it easier to “calculate seasonal statistics from the monthly statistics,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
When will leaves change color in Minnesota?
The Weather Channel says the potential for peak fall colors should start to arrive in the Midwest, including much of Minnesota, by mid- to late October, though areas in the north could peak sooner. AccuWeather also predicts fall colors will peak in the state about early to mid-October.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts that leaves will start to change color in the Midwest by late September.
“Typically, the second and third weeks of October are the peak times, but prime foliage schedules will shift depending on where you live and your local weather conditions,” the almanac says.
ExploreFall.com predicts that fall colors will peak in northern Minnesota by early to mid-October, while southern Minnesota will peak by mid- to late October.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources created a map that shows the year’s actual leaf color progression, and it also includes estimates for when colors will peak. The transition to fall colors typically starts in the far northwest and north-central parts of the state and moves toward the southeast corner, with the peak from late September to mid-October.
“Brilliant fall color occurs when early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Brian Schwingle, the agency’s forest health program consultant.
In 2025, Minnesota had a relatively dry May and a good amount of precipitation from June to August, which means more leaves remained on trees than in other years – and that’s good news for fall colors, the agency said in a news release.
Why do leaves change colors in the fall?
As the days get shorter and the nights grow longer and cooler, leaves slow – and eventually stop – production of chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color, allowing other colors to reveal themselves, The Weather Channel says. A combination of warm, sunny days and cool nights will produce the most vivid colors.
Where are the best places to see fall colors in Minnesota?
Here are a few of the best drives to take in Minnesota to see fall colors at their peak, according to Explore Minnesota.
-
North Shore of Lake Superior: Highway 61, Duluth to Grand Portage
-
Edge of the Wilderness: Highway 38, Grand Rapids to Bigfork
-
Mississippi Headwaters: Highway 71 between Park Rapids and Bemidji
-
St. Croix River Valley: Highway 95, Taylors Falls to Afton
-
Mississippi River Valley: Highway 61 between Red Wing and La Crescent
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota peak fall colors: Where to see the best views in 2025
