Amazing Autumn Hikes in Wisconsin

Fall has to be one of the very best seasons. The weather cools, football season starts, pumpkins and corn stalks abound, it's sweater weather...and, the leaves start to change color. Nothing beats the beauty of autumn foliage in the Midwest. There are several great places to hike in Wisconsin that showcase the beauty of the fall colors. Check them out!

Northern Wisconsin

Northern Wisconsin has some beautiful scenic areas in the autumn. The deciduous trees mixed in with the evergreens makes for stunning views. Here are a few key locations to check out.

Big Bay State Park -

La Pointe

Big Bay State Park is on the eastern side of Madeline Island. Madeline Island is the largest of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. In order to reach the park, you will need to take a ferry ride from Bayfield. Once in the park, try the Bay View Trail. This trail is 1.3 miles long, and it will lead you through hardwoods and birch trees as it makes its way to the shore of Lake Superior. You can also explore a wooden boardwalk that is approximately 1 mile long. The colored leaves and the scenery of the shoreline make this a beautiful option for fall exploration!

Timm's Hill County Park - Ogema

Timm's Hill County Park is a great place to check out in the fall. It is the highest point in Wisconsin at almost 2,000 feet above sea level. From that elevation, you can see some amazing fall scenery! When you reach the park, you will find that you have a 0.4 mile hike to an observation tower. While the hike is short, it is a steep hike, so be prepared. Once you are in the observation tower, you can see for 30 miles into the distance! Gorgeous! If you want to continue hiking after checking out the views, you can hop onto the Ice Age Trail and continue your autumn exploration.

Rib Mountain State Park - Wausau

Rib Mountain State Park is a must-see in the fall! Not only does the park have 13 miles of hiking trails, it also has a chairlift that will bring you up over the treetops to take in the amazing autumn foliage. The views cannot be beat! If you choose to hike, be sure to check out the Red and Yellow trails. They will bring you through areas of birch, maple, and red oak trees. The Yellow Trail offers 4.4 miles of hiking and is a loop trail. The Red Trail offers 1.3 miles of hiking and is also a loop trail. Both have some challenging sections, but are worth the effort!

Pattison State Park - Superior

When you visit Pattison State Park in autumn, be sure to check out Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail. Big Manitou Falls is the highest waterfall in Wisconsin. It is beautiful to view this waterfall amidst the fall foliage! The park itself has over 7 miles of hiking trails. The 4 mile Manitou Falls Trail is a loop trail that will follow the Black River and lead you through hardwood forests to the beautiful views of Big Manitou Falls and Little Manitou Falls.

Bearskin State Trail - between Minoqua and Tomahawk

The Bearskin State Trail is a trail that follows a former railroad corridor. The hiking path follows Bearskin Creek and leads you through a mix of oaks, maples, and pines. The trail is 21.5 miles long, and it connects the towns of Minoqua and Tomahawk. As you meander through the autumn colors, you will come across a few wooden bridges and road crossings.

Western Wisconsin

Wisconsin's western regions have many bluffs and ravines within large forested areas. This combination makes for some unforgettable views!

Wyalusing State Park -

Bagley

You'll find Wyalusing State Park on a bluff above the area where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River. That alone tells you that you are in for some magnificent views in autumn in this park! The park has over 14 miles of hiking trails, and they vary in difficulty. One option to check out in the fall is the Sand Cave Trail and Little Sand Cave Loop. This trail is an out and back trail that is approximately 2 miles long. You will see trickling waterfalls. At the halfway point, you will have a view of the Wisconsin River that is beautiful with the fall foliage!

Wildcat Mountain State Park - Ontario

Wildcat Mountain State Park is on a steep ridge high above the Kickapoo River. This park has over 20 miles of hiking trails and several scenic areas that are perfect for taking in the autumn colors! One trail to check out is Old Settler's Trail. This trail is a 2.5 mile loop trail. It has an almost 400 foot elevation difference, so be prepared! Be sure to take the one-way Taylor Hollow Overlook when you come across it. It will showcase beautiful views of the village below.

Perrot State Park -

Trempealeau

Perrot State Park is located along the Mississippi River. There are 12.5 miles of hiking trails at this park. Hiking at this park will often bring you up rock bluffs and through river ravines. The scenic views of the Upper Mississippi River Valley are hard to beat! The park is right next to the Great River State Trail as well. This trail is 24 miles long and is built on an old railway corridor. It passes through two wildlife refuges and gives great views of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Interstate Park - St. Croix Falls

Interstate State Park is located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. You can find beautiful views of the river and surrounding foliage. You can also see the stunning steep gorge called the Dalles of the St. Croix. The park offers more than nine miles of hiking trails. Many of these trails will lead you through gorgeous scenery and varied landscapes. The western end of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is also found in this area. A trail of note is the Summit Rock Trail. It leads to the highest point on the bluffs, offering gorgeous views of the river gorge below. The trail is a short 0.5 mile loop trail. One thing that makes this park great for fall exploration is that it goes through three state natural areas. You will be able to see unique glacial formations and plant life surrounded by the gorgeous colors of autumn!

South/Central Wisconsin

This part of the state has varied landscape depending on where you are. You may come across beautiful rolling hills, vast stretches of farm country, or stretches of natural forests.

Devil's Lake State Park -

Baraboo

Devil's Lake State Park is beautiful at any time of year, but it is absolutely breathtaking during autumn. The park offers 29 miles of hiking trails, and it also connects to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Some of the trails take you to the top of 500-foot bluffs and offer a scenic view of the lake below. Seeing the rolling hills and bluffs filled with autumn colors is a sight to see! There are trails for all levels at the park, but one trail to note is the East Bluff Trail. This trail is approximately 1.7 miles long and has about 500 ft of elevation difference. Parts go through the woods, so you will be able to enjoy the fall foliage, but you will get scenic views of the lake along the way as well. Plus, you'll get to check out the amazing Elephant Rock along the way!

Geneva Lake Shore Path - Lake Geneva

The Geneva Lake Shore Path is 26 miles long and has many public access points along the way, making it easy to hike as much or as little as you would like to. There are a lot of scenic views to take in as you walk the path -- beautiful homes, gorgeous lake views, sailboats -- and all of those things are enhanced when the landscape is dotted with the beautiful colors of fall. The south side of the trail is more challenging than the north side. Throughout the trail, you will find varied surfaces such as grass, cement, brick, wood, and gravel.

Eastern Wisconsin

The landscape of eastern Wisconsin has a lot of features to offer, including meadows, marshes, prairies, and rivers. Seeing these features surrounded by reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall is a sight to see!

Peninsula State Park -

Fish Creek

Peninsula State Park has 20 miles of hiking trails that offer you a variety of scenic views. From bluffs to forests to shoreline along Lake Michigan, you will never lack for a good view in autumn! There are many trails of varying difficulty, but one trail of note is the Sentinel Trail. This trail offers a two mile loop trail. It begins at Eagle Tower, which offers stunning views of Green Bay in Lake Michigan. You will travel through towering maples, beech, pine, and birch trees as you meander along this trail, offering you a mix of green pines and beautiful deciduous leaf colors.

Ice Age Trail: Monches Segment -

Hartland

This segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail leads through a beautiful hardwood forest. The segment is approximately 2.7 miles long (one way). It follows the Oconomowoc River, and you will find a boardwalk and bridge along the way. You will enjoy the beautiful oaks and aspens that line the trail! Parts of the trail lead you under the forest canopy, leading to a feeling of being surrounded by the fall colors. It is a moderate trail, starting in the wooded lowlands and ending with a steeper climb near the northern end.

Seven Bridges Trail: Grant Park -

Milwaukee

This two mile trail has a lot to offer! You start in Grant Park and make your way toward Lake Michigan. Trees and streams are visible along the way. The trail begins at the Covered Bridge Entrance and then travels through varied landscapes. You will see ravines, views of Lake Michigan, stone staircases, wildflowers, and woodlands. Beech, maple, ash, and birch trees make for some stunning fall scenery!

Ice Age Trail: Holy Hill Segment - Hubertus

This segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail goes through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. It leads to a view of an old monestary and one of the highest points in southeastern Wisconsin, 1350 ft above sea level. The trail is approximately 6.8 miles (one way). It starts in a wooded section that has some steep areas, then flattens out a bit into prairies and rolling farm country. Along the way, you will spot some glacial erratics and enjoy beautiful views and fall foliage!

Related Reading:

Finding the perfect hiking trail is just part of the work of setting up a great hiking adventure. You also need to make sure you are prepared for the journey! Check out these related posts that will set you up for hiking success!

• Essential Gear to Bring on Your Next Hiking Trip

• A Review of Several Top Hiking Boot Brands

• Bringing Your Dog Hiking

• Hiking Gibraltar Rock (another great place to visit in autumn!)

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