Regional parks ready to put on a great show of fall color
In the theater of Minnesota seasons, nothing quite matches the brilliant fall colors of hardwood trees. The right combination of temperatures and moisture – sunny days, cool nights, and sufficient moisture in the soil – can produce a real show.
Canoers and kayakers enjoy a sunny fall day in the Mississippi River gorge.
While many people think of heading north for fall color displays, the Twin Cities metro area sometimes takes center stage when it comes to color. Visit just about any regional park and you’ll find a terrific backdrop for hiking and biking.
Leaders of several of the metro area’s 10 regional park agencies share a few of their favorite parks and trails for viewing fall colors here.
Anoka County. “While we have a number of great parks, one that stands out is Rum River Central,” said John VonDeLinde, Anoka County Parks Director. “It is a haven for bird enthusiasts, and not only do people love to walk, hike and bike to see the fall colors there, but it is a wonderful park to experience from a canoe or kayak.”
Bloomington. “Bush Lake (in Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve) is a great place to view fall colors and take a hike or bike on our newly renovated trails,” recommends Randy Quale, Bloomington Parks Director. The city’s Active Living Hiking and Biking Guide (pdf) features maps and hiking/biking tips to help create a memorable outing.
Carver County. “Lake Minnewashta Regional Park in Chanhassen offers rolling topography and a native big woods setting where you can experience the oaks, maples and basswoods,” said Lenny Klevan Schmitz, Carver County Park Operations Coordinator. “Near the off-leash dog area we have some spectacular maple stands, which provide a great and beautiful canopy in the fall.”
Dakota County. The Big Rivers Regional Trail is a spectacular four-mile trail that runs along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, past beautiful limestone bluffs and through the quaint town of Mendota. In the fall, sugar maples, sumac and cottonwood display vibrant oranges, reds and golds throughout the river valley. Scenic overlooks along the trail offer outstanding views. The trail also connects to Fort Snelling State Park, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Recreation Area and Lilydale Regional Park.
Minneapolis and St. Paul. Another stretch of the Mississippi River that offers stunning vistas of fall colors, either from the bluff top or the river, is the Mississippi River Byway District. People can bike or hike the river gorge along the East and West River Parkways. The byway district stretches 9.2 miles along the river from Minnehaha Park to the I-35W Bridge. A special walkway on the east side allows visitors to get down along the river, and the rustic, mid-bluff Winchell Trail on the west side is a popular hiking destination. Some of the best views are seen by canoes, kayaks and the large river boats that cruise the gorge.
Park naturalists guide children on a hike through the colorful fall foliage at Elm Creek Park Reserve.
Three Rivers Park District. Elm Creek Park Reserve is roughly 4,900 acres and features woodlands of maple and basswood, including remnants of what early Minnesota explorers referred to as the “Big Woods.” For great fall color, District Park Superintendent Cris Gears recommends the wooded 2.2-mile Creek Trail, which winds through this woodland gem. To access the Creek Trail, visitors should start at the overflow parking lot near Eastman Nature Center and head out onto the Monarch Trail that leads hikers through restored prairies and offers magnificent vistas of the forest on their way to the Creek Trail.
Washington County. “St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park has simply spectacular color in the fall,” said John Elholm, Washington County Parks Director. “The modern campground is a wonderful place to spend a few autumn days enjoying the colors of the season.”
The campground at St. Croix Bluffs consists largely of mature oaks with a variety of spruce, pine, ash and other species. Day visitors can enjoy a hike in the woods or play on the large play structure in the mature oak-covered picnic area. The picnic area is also a great place for kids to play when piles of leaves fall to the ground later in the season. Visitors can see brilliant fall color on the river by visiting the small beach area, or by launching a boat at the boat launch.