‘Ooh’ and ‘ah’ at fall foliage on 9 of Wisconsin’s prettiest autumn drives
Take a short road trip this fall to see Wisconsin’s fall colors–here’s where to go.
Autumn in Wisconsin is the most colorful time of the year, when tree leaves cycle through brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, and pink. This is also the best season to hop in the car for a little road trip. Even if it’s just for the afternoon, timing it to leaf peeping can be a huge thrill. Don’t forget to drop by roadside farm stands during your drive for pumpkins, gourds, apples, or cider, as yet another way to celebrate fall. Read on to learn more about Wisconsin’s nine prettiest drives during autumn.
1. Highway 42 (Jens Jensen Windy Road), Door County
Located at the northern tip of the Door County peninsula, with Lake Michigan to the East and Green Bay to the West, this is a delightfully curved, two-lane section of Highway 42, between the towns of Gills Rock and Newport. It’s named after the famed late landscape architect Jens Jensen. Born in Denmark, he emigrated to Chicago and then relocated to Ellison Bay. You know you’ve gotten to the end when you reach a literal dead end, as well as the terminal to take the ferry to Washington Island.
2. Rib Mountain State Park, Wausau
Wisconsin is rarely associated with high elevations, and yet there are a few lower-elevation mountains in the state, including Rib Mountain in the nearby town of Rib Mountain, tucked into its namesake state park. The park’s also home to Granite Peak Ski Area, a popular downhill-skiing and snowboarding spot, which is just four miles from Wausau. Because of the elevation, about 2,000 feet above sea level, the view is stunning, especially when the leaves are changing color in autumn. You can either hike or drive to the summit.
3. Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway, Bayfield
This coastal town, which hugs Lake Superior and is the gateway for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, has no shortage of country roads, not to mention small family-owned farms selling apples and pumpkins. There are five scenic byways in Wisconsin. Bayfield is part of this byway, along the peninsula. Buckle up for the 70-mile Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway traveling along Highway 13, starting where it meets Highway 2 near Ashland, and ending South of Port Wing, near Brule River State Natural Area. This byway shows off the most beautiful parts of Bayfield County. If you only have time for part of the route, check out the map to customize a shorter journey.
4. Rustic Road 33, Hartford and Holy Hill
Milwaukeeans love to flock to this part of the state in the fall to experience the autumnal colors, which means taking a drive on one of Wisconsin’s 126 Rustic Roads, marked by their brown signs with yellow lettering. Along this 12-mile route—just south of 167 in Washington County and just north of the Waukesha County line—are views of the church spires at Holy Hill, while another section shows off Lowe Lake.
5. Highway 35, Great River Road
More often than not, this national scenic byway is referred to as Great River Road. It travels through 10 states, including Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, the Great River Road route includes 250 miles along WI-35, rimming the East shoreline of the Mississippi River, a waterway that also divides Wisconsin and Minnesota. It runs from Kieler on the Southern end (also home to Wyalusing State Park, a terrific spot to view fall color) to Prescott, its northernmost point in Wisconsin. Via this website, you can download a Northern or Southern map. This part of Wisconsin is known for wineries, pizza farms, and farmstands, all of which are fun to explore on a road trip.
6. Lake Como, Lake Geneva
No, this is not the Italian community where celebrity actor George Clooney lives—this is a small lake in the Lake Geneva area, just north of Highway 50. For this short but scenic trip—which Visit Lake Geneva recommends as one of its “fabulous fall drives in Lake Geneva”—cross over Highway 50 to Schofield Road, and turn left on South Shore Drive to follow along the lakefront as it turns into West End Road, or right to head north on that same road. Mars Resort Supper Club is a great place to stop for a drink, with a lake view.
7. Marinette County Waterfall Tour
While waterfalls are a beautiful sight any time of year, they particularly sparkle in the fall when surrounded by autumn color. In the Waterfalls Capital of Wisconsin, there are 15 waterfalls, which can easily fill a day’s drive. Download a self-guided map of the waterfalls on this website. It’s recommended that you pack a lunch and enjoy your meal alfresco as part of the trip, pulling alongside the road to do so, and then walking closer to the waterfalls via short trails.
8. 73-Mile Loop, Hayward
As its name suggests, this is a 73-mile route, from Hayward (drop into the Hayward Area Information Center for tips on what to see and do) to portions of the 1.5-million-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, with all but 12 miles of it paved (the rest is gravel). One perfect spot to stretch your legs and get out of the car is at a historic marker for the 1790 battle between the Chippewa Indians and Sioux warriors. Another spot is Camp Sawyer, at the remains of the former Old Hines Lumber Company, built in 1914. Those at the camp planted the red pine and white spruce trees that are still here today.
9. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, Kettle Moraine State Forest
This 115-mile Scenic Drive shows off the rolling hills that Wisconsin is known for, a result of the Wisconsin Glaciation that transformed the landscape into moraines and drumlins, and travels through six different counties. There are numerous stops along the way where you can pull over and grab a bite, unpack a picnic, shop, or take in the view. You can either download a map through this website or drop by a Kettle Moraine State Forest office in person to grab one.
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