The North Shore (Lake Superior)
A drive along Lake Superior with birch and maple turning yellow and red.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at The North Shore (Lake Superior)
Peak fall color is predicted around October 10. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 5 to October 15.
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Duluth and across Minnesota.
That is 1 day later than usual (October 9): the six weeks to October 1 ran 1.1°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near The North Shore (Lake Superior)
30 to 60 minutes
1 to 2 hours
2 to 3 hours
- Bayfield & The Northwoods92 mi · 2 hr 20 minWisconsinPeak: Oct 16Status: Moderate color
- Wild River State Park118 mi · 2 hr 25 minPeak: Oct 11Status: Peak color
- Interstate State Park138 mi · 2 hr 43 minPeak: Oct 10Status: High color
- Taylors Falls136 mi · 2 hr 43 minPeak: Oct 10Status: High color
- Interstate State Park140 mi · 2 hr 57 minWisconsinPeak: Oct 10Status: High color