Chasing Fall Colors
In Minnesota, there are about 3 weeks each fall where the trees are the star of the show. Maples go red, aspens turn gold, and every gravel road looks like it should be on a postcard. It is also the best time of year to hook up your Vistabule and hit the road.
Vistabules are made for this kind of trip. You can tow light, fit into small campsites, and you can be set up with your coffee in hand before the sun falls behind the trees. To help you out, here are three routes worth planning a weekend around.
The Classic: MN North Shore
Start heading north on Highway 61 between Duluth and Grand Portage and take the time to make stops. Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock, Tettegouche, and Temperance River all have overlooks where the hardwoods on the ridgeline are stunning against Lake Superior. The lake makes the light look even better, especially in the early morning.
Heads up: This is a very popular area, especially in the fall, so expect company on your trip!
Easy Weekend: The St. Croix River Valley
If you only have a weekend or you’re looking for some fall colors closer to the Twin Cities, this is a great pick. William O’Brien and Interstate State Park (or Willow River State Park if you want to cross to the Wisconsin side of the river) will immerse you in the river bluffs and hardwood forests without a long haul up north. For an added bonus, make a stop at an apple orchard on the way home (it’s pretty much a mandatory fall activity).
Heads up: This area hits its peak a little later than the North Shore so if you missed your trip north, it is a great alternative.
The Quiet Trip: The Great River Road
Follow the Mississippi River south towards Red Wing, then on to Beaver Creek Valley in the southeast. The beautiful drive, limestone bluffs, and small towns with great shops make this trip a bit slower and cozier. It is less crowded than the North Shore, and the bluffs make the colors feel as though they go on forever.
Heads up: This area tends to peak in mid to late October, so it’s a great option when the rest of the state is past its prime.
A couple of tips for your Vistabule Fall Colors trip
Check the color report first! The Minnesota DNR posts a fall color finder that shows where the colors are peaking, and it changes week to week! Find it HERE!
Pack for cold nights: If you have the propane heater in your Visty, even better! But make sure you have some warm layers and plenty of blankets. Fall is gorgeous in Minnesota, but the nights can get very cold.
Leave room in your schedule: All the spots you research to stop at are beautiful, but the best memories (and pictures) come from those impromptu stops!
Wherever you end up this fall, we hope your trip is one for the books. Whether you are winding along the North Shore or chasing views along the St. Croix, we’d love to see where your Vistabule takes you. Tag us in your posts or use #vistabulelife and #vistafam and share with the whole community!
The colors don’t last forever, so get out there while they are at their best.
Happy trails, friends!
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