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Fall Hiking is Cool!

By Marge Loch-Wouters | Fall 2026 Inspire(d)

How cool is the Driftless? Mighty cool, especially if you decide to do some fall hiking. You not only have fairer weather (and fewer bugs) as you hike, but also a feast of colors for the first half of the season. As a bonus, you can continue to hike well into November and see sights that are usually hidden from view due to thick forest growth.

The Color!

Fall color is one of the big draws for autumn hiking. Here in the Driftless, reds, oranges, purples, and yellows climb up the area’s steep bluffs. This means any trail, whether flat and low or high along blufftop rims, affords unparalleled views of the changing leaves. Those who come from flatter areas marvel at the vertical palette of colors reaching above the river.

With shorter days and cooler temperatures, leaves begin their long goodbye in a truly spectacular fashion. Trees with orange and yellow pigments formed by carotenoids have colors that have been masked by the green chlorophyll during spring and summer. As fall begins, chlorophyll production slows and stops and yellow and orange begin to appear. For trees with red and purple leaf pigments (anthocyanins) that color is produced in fall when leaf cells start building up in the stem, trapping sugars. Those sugars bring on the color. In years with abundant rain, the colors tend to be more brilliant; drought can dull the vibrancy. Frost will also hasten sugar production resulting in brighter hues.

The best part of Driftless fall hiking is that you can shift your outings from north to south locations to catch peak seasonal color. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa all have “color-finding” sites that keep you updated on where colors are peaking. They can be a huge help in deciding on your hiking destinations.

A rock formation on a Driftless trail. / Photo by Marge Loch-Wouters

Once Leaves Are Gone

Don’t let bare trees put an end to your hikes. Late October into November is migration season for many waterfowl including tundra and trumpeter swans. These birds are in no rush to reach their wintering grounds in contrast to spring migration when birds are speeding towards their summer nesting grounds. You can access a number of overlook and wetlands hikes along the Mississippi River to enjoy their raucous company and flyovers.

The second half of autumn is also a great time to do some bluff hiking, and not just because the cooler temperatures beckon you to climb sweat-free. You can see amazing rock formations that have been hidden by brush and leaves and wide-open vistas and river views. Plus, a clearer forest floor lets you see more of the colorful fall fungi that fruit in damp weather. 

Hiking in blaze orange at Levis / Trow Mounds. / Photo by Nola Larson

Hunting Season Safety

The Driftless has a number of hunting seasons for waterfowl and game in autumn. With a few commonsense precautions, you can be safe and enjoy all that autumn hiking has to offer.

• Wear neon blaze colors (orange, pink, yellow) – hats, jackets, light vests help hunters see you.
• Know your state’s hunting seasons – you can find the seasons on your state’s DNR website.
• Pick destinations where there is no hunting – check whether the public land is posted for hunting. During your state’s deer gun hunting seasons, explore trails in nearby states with different gun season dates.
• Respect closed trail signs on public lands – the trail you want to hike may be near private land. These closures are temporary until hunting season ends.
• Stay on trails – hunters are aware of trail locations and usually avoid them. This is not the time to bushwhack.
• Respect hunters – if you come upon hunters, be courteous by hiking quietly as you share space. Many have been waiting silently for many long hours and your respect is appreciated.

Fall hikers. / Photo by Marge Loch-Wouters

Here are some trails that can give you great autumn views whether you stay on low accessible trails or climb up to blufftop rims. Trails designated as family-friendly are very accessible and feature gentler slopes, less overall elevation and are safer in general.

Apple Blossom Overlook Park (MN) – With one of the highest overlooks on the upper Mississippi River, this Winona County park recently opened even more vistas with judicious logging (family-friendly). 169 County Hwy 1, Dakota, MN

Mt. Hosmer (IA) – Take the screamingly-fun hairpin turns up to this city park for great views along the rim or challenge yourself on any of the trails (family-friendly). End of N. 6th St, Lansing, IA

Grandad Bluff (WI) – This iconic overlook features tree-canopied city, bluff, and river views. There are many trails below the bluffs from easy to challenging (family-friendly). 2020 Grandad Bluff Road, La Crosse, WI

Community Prairie and Butterfly Garden (IA) – This very accessible set of prairie trails on mown grass is a riot of fall plants surrounded by tall tree-covered rock formations. (4 Ohio St, Decorah, IA) For extra fun, head up to Phelps Park (613 Park St, Decorah, IA) and walk along the CCC- built stonework trails for views of the Upper Iowa River and this prairie below (both trails family-friendly). 

Magelssen Park (MN) – Hike up to the top or simply drive to the blufftop park and walk along the rim to catch the views (family-friendly)! GPS: N43 48.841, W91 45.730 on Winona St for hiking trails; Magelssen Drive off Hwy 30 for the park rim trails

Levis Trow Mounds (WI) – This complex of shared-use hiking/biking trails takes you up to the mound rims that give incredible views of the forests below. A true color delight. N1589 Fisher Ave, Neillsville, WI 44.47676, -90.72377  

Marge Loch-Wouters

Marge Loch-Wouters is a Minnesota Master Naturalist and avid hiker living in La Crescent MN. Her Hiking the Driftless Trails blog follows the changing seasons and encourages everyone to get out in nature, no matter one’s age or condition.

    State Fall Color Trackers

    Wisconsin: travelwisconsin.com/fall-color-report

    Minnesota: dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors

    Iowa: iowadnr.gov/programs-services/forestry-resources/fall-color-report

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