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hillsides of peak fall colors north shore

peak fall colors north shore mn

fall color report

2023 Duluth and North Shore peak fall color forecast and updated fall color report. We tell you what to expect and the best drives and trails. Autumn on the North Shore comes early, stays late and leaves lasting impressions. Colors start with a leaf, a streak of red, or an occasional tree, isolated and orange. This is the season of the maple in the valleys behind the headlands rising out of Lake Superior. From ridgelines, colors wash down the hillsides, surrounding deep green-black stands of pine.

Maple hillsides are found from around Beaver Bay northeast to the US-Canada border and inland a few miles from Highway 61.

As temps cool closer to the big lake, the second color season takes place. Poplars, birch and tamarack turn yellow and the entire Highway 61 corridor is lovely. Rainfall and temps affect both when the colors occur and how long they last, so it is variable each year.

When are peak fall colors on the north shore?

Typically maples begin to turn around Labor Day and are at peak from about September 21 through October 10. Depending on weather – especially wind – the maples last another few weeks. 

In early October, the birch and poplar closer to Lake Superior start to run yellow and the second season starts. The yellow season runs into the start of November.

Starting Labor Day, We are providing weekly [or more frequently] fall color reports with suggested routes for the best viewing.

Tips:
Keep the sun at your back for the best viewing, (look west  in the morning and east all afternoon). Don’t worry if it is overcast, sometimes the colors look best when they contrast against a grey day. 
Download a North Shore map. After fall color touring, see something new

north shore peak fall color map
duluth north shore fall color map

2023 Fall Color Report

it’s pretty much over
30 October

Rain and wind this week means most of the leaves have fallen. Open hillsides are looking brown and grey, but tamarack trees are still a gorgeous gold. High winds and maybe even snow in the forecast  mean the colorful season is drawing to a close.

This is the final report of the season. Come back after Labor Day 2024 for next fall’s color report.

Best color right now

 

Where to go

 

What you will see

 

This Season’s Photos

(bottom of the page) a slideshow of the 2023 fall color season from early autumn flowers to magnificent maples to the bronzes of late October7

This week's recommended fall color tours

Find trails first and then drives. And scroll to see photos from the season!

wintry ski in ski out townhomes at caribou highlands lodge at lutsen mountains

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spiral waterslide and pool at americinn silver bay on the north shore
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mile 58.9

One of my favorite medium hikes! The Tettegouche Lake loop is part of a trail system accessed on the back side of Tettegouche State Park. It begins with an old road bed climbing 285-feet over three-quarters of a mile, includes four overlooks and a dip down to the historic Tettegouche Camp [where cabins are available for rent]. I like to go counter clockwise from the junction and see the overlooks, then take a little break at the Camp where I decide if I am going to add on more loops or head back. In the autumn, consider the ‘circling the lakes’ as the valleys are filled with colorful maples!

Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate to difficult due to hills

Driving directions can be funky: from Highway 61, drive north on MN 1 for 4.3 miles, turn left on Lax Lake Rd for 3.1 miles, parking will be on left.

sparkling wintry lake superior and ice sheets stacked on north shore

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