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Nature|National & State Parks

12 Wisconsin State Parks With The Most Stunning Fall Foliage Views

Discover the best state parks in Wisconsin for fall camping and stunning autumn views.

Updated Oct 6, 2023

Written by 

Nicole

We're blessed with a stunning and extensive state park system here in Wisconsin. Every part of the state has state-owned parks, forests, and natural areas that protect the gorgeous natural beauty of the Dairy State. Autumn is a great time to head out and see all the fall colors in Wisconsin at these amazing state parks - and enjoy a night or two under the stars, as well! If you're looking for the best fall foliage in Wisconsin, here are 12 spots sure to have you falling for our beautiful state!

1. Wyalusing State Park - Bagley

A vibrant display of autumn foliage with bright yellow leaves surrounding a tall tree trunk.
Flickr/Mike Willis

Wyalusing State Park is perched along the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and has cliffs that overlook the valley below and give you awesome panoramic views.

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Wyalusing State Park is located on State Park Ln, Bagley, WI, 53801.

2. Willow River State Park - Hudson

A serene river scene with a dam, surrounded by autumn foliage and a clear blue sky.
Flickr/JimBrekke

Over in the northwest corner, Hudson is home to Willow River State Park, with its pretty Willow River Falls. This hilly part of the state gives great views of the different trees as they rise up. This park is located at 1034 County Highway A, Hudson, WI, 54016.

3. Brunet Island State Park - Cornell

Two people in a canoe fishing on a calm lake surrounded by colorful autumn trees under a clear blue sky.
Flickr/JenniKonrad

With all the waterfront on the Chippewa River, you've got great vistas up at the forest and trees. Every campground at Brunet Island State Park has water access and fall means a whole lot less bugs. This is really one of the best places to see in the fall. Brunet Island State Park is located at 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI, 54732.

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4. High Cliff State Park - Sherwood

A group of people enjoying a scenic view of autumn foliage and rolling hills from a lookout point.
Flickr/Dave

The 400-foot bluff on the Niagara Escarpment rises above Lake Winnebago and offers gorgeous sweeping views. Hike down the cliff to get down under the colors for a unique view. This gorgeous Wisconsin State Park is located at N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI, 54169.

5. Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek

A serene forest of white birch trees with vibrant autumn leaves in shades of orange and yellow.
Flickr/James Jordan

Door County is famous the world over for it's stunning fall color displays and Peninsula State Park is a great place to see them. The white birch offer a brilliant backdrop for the bright leaves.Check out more of Door County's fall colors in this YouTube video from Adam and Madalyn:

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6. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area - Menomonie

A scenic view of rolling hills covered in vibrant autumn foliage, showcasing shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Flickr/DocTharp

There are miles and miles of hiking trails at Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area and an awesome mix of wetlands, prairie, and wooded hills that are home to all kinds of different trees and plants. Plus, the observation tower lets you look out over it all. Located at 740th St, Menomonie, WI, 54751.

7. Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo

A scenic view of a colorful forest valley framed by trees and rocks under a clear blue sky.
Flickr/erin english

Home to one of the largest continguous deciduous forests in the country and on what used to be a larger mountain range than the Rockies, the plant life at Devil's Lake State Park is varied, abundant and jaw-dropping. This beautiful Wisconsin State Park is located at S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913.

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8. Governor Dodge State Park - Dodgeville

A serene view of a lake surrounded by tall trees with autumn foliage, captured from a rocky vantage point.
Bryan Eduardo Rosado Duarte/Google Reviews

Steep hills and deep valleys make Governor Dodge State Park an interesting spot for fall colors. There are so many different vantage points to take in the natural beauty. It's located at 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI, 53533.

9. Rib Mountain State Park - Wausau

A panoramic view of a colorful autumn landscape with vibrant trees and a cloudy blue sky.
Flickr/PhotoFiend

This popular ski spot is one of the tallest in the area and always gets great color while not making folks travel all the way north to see it. It is located at 4200 Park Rd, Wausau, WI, 54401.

10. Straight Lake State Park - Luck

A concrete bridge over a dry creek, surrounded by vibrant autumn trees and a clear blue sky.
Flickr/ElvisKennedy

Another northwest Wisconsin beauty, the colors here are vibrant and awe-inspiring. Straight Lake State Park is located in Luck, WI.

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11. Black River State Forest - Millston

A scenic view of a colorful autumn landscape with trees in shades of red, orange, and green under a cloudy sky.
Steve Simenstad/AllTrails

You'll love wandering around Black River State Forest, a pristine forest up near Eau Claire. This beautiful paradise is located at W10235 US-12, Black River Falls, WI, 54615.

12. Mirror Lake State Park - Baraboo

A fluffy dog rests on the forest floor, surrounded by autumn leaves and sunbeams filtering through the trees.
E_BASS/Flickr

Much the same beauty as Devil's Lake but with the added gorgeous namesake lake to reflect the colors. Mirror Lake State Park is located at E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913.

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What do you think - what are your picks for the state parks with the best fall camping in Wisconsin? Or are you more of a summer camping fan? Whichever you prefer, make sure you're prepared with all the right gear! Looking for more reasons to get out and enjoy fall in our parks? Continue exploring to learn all about fall in Wisconsin.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Amazing Campground In Wisconsin We Want To Visit All-Year Round

Brule River State Forest is a stunning outdoor oasis in Wisconsin, offering year-round camping surrounded by lush forests and the picturesque Brule River. Whether you’re seeking summer adventures or winter tranquility, this beautiful spot is perfect for every season!

Published Oct 30, 2024

Written by 

Jacki Mick

Camping in Wisconsin is like diving into a postcard. Not a modern postcard, full of jokes and clever innuendos about the city you're visiting, but more like a picturesque postcard from the '50s: rolling hills, dense forests, and bright, bluebird skies that stretch forever.

Whether you’re an all-in nature enthusiast or just a weekend adventurer who likes to toast marshmallows, there’s something about camping in Wisconsin that recharges your soul. Picture yourself setting up camp in the great Northwoods, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. And tucked away in Wisconsin’s wilderness is a spot that offers all this beauty year-round: Brule River State Forest.

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Becky Day / AllTrails

At Brule River State Forest, the campsites cater to all sorts of campers. Whether you prefer to rough it with a tent and sleeping bag or roll up in an RV, Brule River has you covered. The more primitive sites let you feel like you’re truly “off the grid,” but if going without electricity sounds like a nightmare, there are also sites with electrical hookups for your home-on-wheels. And no matter which site you choose, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery the state has to offer: lush forestland, peaceful rivers, and the kind of quiet that only nature can provide.

Brule River State Forest is a nature lover’s dream. The forest is home to a rich variety of wildlife, from deer that roam near the campsites to birds that fill the air with song each morning. You might even spot a black bear if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how close you are!).

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Tara Weideman / AllTrails

The forest’s hiking trails offer endless opportunities for exploration, with towering pines and winding rivers guiding your way. And don’t forget your fishing pole -- the Brule River is famous for its trout fishing, making it the perfect spot to cast a line and relax by the water. We won't tell that you're really napping if you don't.

If you need to get back to civilization a bit, there are some nearby attractions worth exploring.

Brule River State Forest is just a short drive from Lake Superior, where you can take in the stunning shoreline or try some lake fishing. If you're into history, you're in luck! Not too far away, you'll find some small towns with museums and historical sites that give us a glimpse into Wisconsin’s past. And if you’re craving a bit of the buzz of city life, Duluth, Minnesota (considered one of the best coastal towns in the USA), is less than an hour away, giving you a chance to grab any supplies you may have forgotten or just take a quick break from nature... to recharge your phone!

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Jessica Bergen / AllTrails

One of the things that makes Brule River State Forest special is its year-round accessibility. Yes, you can camp year-round -- even in the bitter cold of the winter! In spring, you're greeted with fresh blooms, summer welcomes warm days by the river, fall transforms the forest into a canvas of vibrant colors, and winter turns it into a magical, snowy wonderland... the thing postcards are made of.

You can pitch a tent or park your RV in any season; just be sure to pack accordingly. Bring snowshoes and extra layers for winter camping, bug spray for summer, and a camera to capture the brilliant fall foliage.

So, the next time you find yourself ready for a Wisconsin camping adventure that’s as stunning as it is versatile, look no further than Brule River State Forest. You'll be glad you did! Especially once you experience its breathtaking views and outdoor adventure. It truly is the perfect year-round escape from the hustle and bustle of the real world. No matter what sort of camper you are, Brule River will steal your heart and remind you why Wisconsin is the ultimate camping destination.

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Nature|Hiking

The 1.5-Mile Hiking Trail in Wisconsin That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

Discover the vibrant fall colors and scenic hiking trails at Wisconsin's Interstate State Park. Perfect for autumn day trips and camping.

Published Sep 18, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

One of my favorite things about life in the Badger State is that we get to enjoy all four seasons. And as wonderful as summer is, there may be no better season than autumn, because there are so many things to do in Wisconsin in fall. Of course, one of my favorite things to do is to get out in nature, hop on a trail, and find the state's best fall colors. I think an awesome place to bathe in the beauty of our state's fall foliage is Interstate State Park, which is not only a beautiful spot in its own right, it shares part of its landscape with two incredible National Park Service units.

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Heather Larkin/AllTrails

Interstate State Park - Wisconsin's oldest - is perched on the banks of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, between the small towns of Dresser and St. Croix Falls along the Minnesota border. A National Park Service unit, the riverway includes the length of the St. Croix River upstream of Stillwater, Minnesota, as well as much of the Namekagon River in Wisconsin. With the exception of a few small river towns, the St. Croix and Namekagon are mostly wild and undeveloped. In addition to NPS campsites and facilities, you'll find several parks along the banks of the rivers, including Interstate. In these stretches, the land along the rivers is jointly managed by NPS and the state or local land manager, like the Wisconsin DNR.

This makes Interstate a wonderful park for enjoying fall foliage, because you'll not only be able to immerse yourself in the trees, lakeshore, and forested trails in the park, you can take in all the splendor of autumn on both sides of the river valley.

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Heather Larkin/AllTrails

The park's trees are mostly hardwoods, like maples and oaks, which means you'll be treated to bright, blazing colors in the autumn. I think the 1.5-mile Summit Rock, River Bluff, and Echo Canyon Loop is the best trail for enjoying the foliage. It's an easy, relatively level footpath that includes stretches of forested trail along the shore of Lake O' the Dalles, as well as the river bluffs.

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Adrienne Smith/AllTrails

You can also hike a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which is also a NPS unit, in the park. Its western terminus is located on a bluff above the St. Croix River.

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Dave Strandberg/AllTrails

Whether you live in western Wisconsin or are looking for a fall foliage day trip in the the Badger State, you won't go wrong with Interstate State Park as a destination. If you want to stay in the park, its two campgrounds have 82 sites. Visit the park on the web for more information or to make reservations. If camping's not in the plans, the Dalles House Motel is nearby. AllTrails Plus is a great source for hiking maps and trail info.

Have you visited Interstate State Park in the autumn? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share your favorite places to see fall foliage in Wisconsin.

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