Posted September 26, 2019
Despite the unusually warm weather western Wisconsin has been facing recently, autumn is just around the corner and with it will come the highly anticipated fall colors.
Although the trees don’t seem to be changing much in the River Falls area, they are beginning to make their slow transition from green to shades of bright red, yellow and orange.
According to Travel Wisconsin’s online database, the Wisconsin fall color report shows that River Falls is currently at about 40% changed from summer colors to fall. The report also states that the optimal time to view fall colors in the River Falls area is estimated to be during the third week in October.
River Falls and the surrounding area have many places to view the changing colors. Kinnickinnic State Park is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers around 9.2 miles of hiking trails with many scenic outlooks where fall colors could be viewed. Other nearby state parks with fall color sighting potential include Willow River State Park in Hudson and Afton State Park in Minnesota.
Travel Wisconsin’s Hillary Burg reports that the trees colors will show and thrive the most when the weather is warm or cool, but not cold. Different trees produce different colors so it is good to do your research before setting out in order to find the colors you wish to see. If you wish to travel to see fall colors elsewhere, Burg recommends Door County, Great River Road and the Northwoods as some of the most scenic places for viewing the changing leaves.
Burg also states that taking a drive, going for a hike, taking a ride on one of Wisconsin’s historic trains or finding a lookout tower are some of the best ways to view the fall colors.
The article may be found online at https://uwrfjournalism.org/2019/09/best-fall-colors-coming-to-river-falls-in-mid-october/.