fall colors

Fall Colors
Chippewa National Forest

Fall Color Hotline
1-800-354-4595

photo of pile of fall leaves

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Think of autumn and an immediate glimpse of colors, scents and sounds fill the mind. Smoky gold tamaracks, brilliant red maples, campfires and cool breezes make the fall season a favorite to visitors.Autumn on the Chippewa National Forest will find miles of incredible Scenic Byways to travel, as well as colorful trails and community events.For more information on the Scenic Drives of the Forest, stop by any Chippewa National Forest office or call 218-335-8600 for more information.

FALL COLOR
The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway is a rustic slice of Minnesota, with more than 1000 lakes and a landscape of remarkable colors and beauty. a favorite for fall color enthusiasts, the 47-mile long drive is dotted with 14 Discovery Sites which runs from Grand Rapids to Bigfork. There are green reference point markers to assist you in navigating your way along the byway.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active on the Chippewa National Forest, and the evidence of their work is apparent along the Chippewa Discovery Tour between Cass Lake and Blackduck. Visit the Forest Supervisor's Office in Cass Lake, a three-story log building in the National Register of Historic Sites. Travel east to Norway Beach Recreation area through the tall norway pines. Next stop. north to Knutson Dam for great wildlife viewing and fishing off the accessible pier. Move on to historic Camp Rabideau for a glimpse into life as one of the "boys" of the CCC.

PACK THE PICNIC BASKET
Just here for the day? Pack the picnic basket and head for the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish or a quiet backcountry lake. Travel along a Forest Road and stop by the Birches Picnic Area (Deer River), or other area Picnic sites: Laurentian Divide Wayside (Marcell), Shingobee River or Lake Erin (Walker), Benjamin Lake or North Twin Lake (Blackduck). Many of the campgrounds on the Chippewa National Forest are also open through the autumn season. The Cass Lake loop of the Norway Beach Recreation Area remains open until the beginning of October, with other campgrounds around the Forest open until mid-October to mid-November.

COUNTDOWN TO AUTUMN
The timing of color change and leaf fall is affected by shorter periods of daylight, temperature and rainfall. On the Chippewa National Forest, leaves reach their peak color about the third week in September. A dry summer could delay the onset by a few weeks. A summer drought and warm fall may lower the intensity of autumn color. For more information on autumn on the Chippewa or other National Forests, contact the Forest Service fall color hotline from September through October at 1-800-354-4595.