This Fall, Experience some of the Best Hiking in Wisconsin

This Fall, Discover the best hiking in WisconsinIf you're looking for some of the best hiking in Wisconsin this fall, these trails won't disappoint! There's truly nothing as beautiful as Wisconsin in the fall. While New England is at the top of many fall foliage bucket lists, you shouldn't be too quick to discount the beauty of the fall colors around our home state!  In fact, Wisconsin has earned itself quite the reputation when it comes to fall foliage, with visitors from around the Midwest making the journey each year.  

Wisconsin's fall colors will gradually take shape starting in the northernmost counties and working their way south, bringing with them jaw-dropping shades of amber, orange, and crimson. As the colors sweep across the state, it's time to get outside and enjoy some of the outdoors! Fall is also an exciting time of year for Wisconsin Innkeepers, who are eager to share the beauty of our state with their guests, while also sharing the bounty of this traditional harvest season.

There's a reason our collection of Inns are rated as some of the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Find your favorite Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast, and book your fall getaway today.

The Best Hiking in Wisconsin This Fall

There is some truly great hiking in Wisconsin, much of which can be enjoyed year-round.  In the spring and early summer, these hiking trails are bursting with wildflowers. Come fall, the wildflower blooms give way to fall colors.  But in the winter, an entirely new experience can be had on these trails, which are often accessible by snowshoe and/or cross country skiing. 

Some of the best hiking in Wisconsin is found at State Parks, of which there are 43 (66 if you count State Recreation areas!). These trails are great, of course, but often our Innkeepers know of lesser-known but still equally as impressive trails.  Our Wisconsin Innkeepers truly are the best resource when it comes to knowing their local area - we always recommend asking them for their favorites!

This Fall, Discover the best hiking in Wisconsin

We've compiled a list of what we consider to be some of the best hiking in Wisconsin - it's a great place to start planning your fall adventure!  Each of these hikes will lead the way to some truly spectacular fall foliage and will showcase the very best of Wisconsin. Keep an eye on the fall color tracker to plan your trip, and otherwise enjoy these incredible hikes!

  1. The Kettle Moraine State Forest, just north of Milwaukee, is home to some of the best hiking in Wisconsin. Head to this area, and try the Parnell Tower Loop in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  This hike won't disappoint. This loop takes you to a 60-foot observation tower that gives you a breathtaking 360-degree view from the top. You can hook up with even more trails in the area if you want more hiking opportunities.
  2. Door County is another great place for some of the best hiking in Wisconsin. The Sentinel Trail at Peninsula State Park is a great place to see Door County's exceptional foliage. This hike is on the easier side and provides a nice two-mile loop through stands of maple, beech, and pine trees.
  3. Head to Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien, where you'll find the Sand Cave Trail and Little Sand Cave Loop, both of which offer beautiful views of the Wisconsin River below, surrounded by the glorious hues of autumn. 
  4. The Old Settlers Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park near Sparta offers exceptional views of Wisconsin's Driftless Area and its unique topography in the fall. 
  5. Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, perhaps one of the most popular state parks, is home to some of the best hiking in Wisconsin, especially during these beautiful months of fall.  One of our favorites is the East bluff Trail, which offers inspiring views of the lake below, all surrounded by the brilliance of fall foliage. 
  6. There aren't that many high points in Wisconsin from which to enjoy broad fall views. One such place is Timm's Hill in Ogema, which also happens to be the highest point in the state of Wisconsin.  The view is breathtaking just about any time of year, but it is absolutely magical in the fall. 
  7. Another place with delightful views is Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau, home to the famed Granite Peak Ski Area. You can even take a chair lift ride to the top in the fall if you aren't up for the hike. 
  8. Though it's a bit more difficult, the Perrot Ridge Trail at Perrot State Park near Trempealeau easily ranks as some of the best hiking in Wisconsin. 
  9. If you haven't yet seen the St. Croix River in the fall, now is the time.  It's simply amazing. A great place to experience all this area has to offer is Interstate State Park near St. Croix Falls. Here, you'll enjoy great views of the Dalles of the St. Croix.
  10. Escape the urban center of Madison for the day, and enjoy nature at the UW Madison Arboretum! It's absolutely beautiful in the fall and includes a variety of habitats, including restored prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. There are 17 miles of easy trails in the area, too.

This Fall, Discover the best hiking in Wisconsin

The Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin This Fall

September and October are the perfect months to visit a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast. where you'll enjoy all things fall.  Yes, you'll likely discover some of the best hiking in Wisconsin, but there's so much more to fall than just hiking. Crisp, cool fall breezes race through the air, vibrantly colored leaves blanket the ground, and the scents of fall, with their delicious notes of pumpkin spice and apple pie, permeate the air.  It all serves its purpose; to beckon us into the outdoors before the long days of winter ensue, to dress in warm layers, and savor it all under a pile under cozy blankets at your favorite Inn.

This fall, we invite you not just to enjoy some of the best hiking in Wisconsin, but to experience the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Here, you'll find unbeatable hospitality. Let us take care of you this fall. Book direct at one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts today!

Plan Now to See Fall Colors at a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast

Visit a Bed and Breakfast and see the best Wisconsin Fall Colors in 2019It's true that fall is beautiful in several destinations across the country.  Big-name states like Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are, of course, top travel destinations each fall.  But Wisconsin, too, has earned a solid reputation for leaf-peeping, with visitors coming from all over the country to see the magical, fiery hues of autumn. For those of us in Wisconsin's hospitality industry, keeping an eye out for that draw-dropping and exquisitely beautiful moment when the leaves start to turn from their vibrant greens to varying shades of gold, pink, and amber, is definitely something to look forward to. Each fall in Wisconsin, our Innkeepers look forward to welcoming guests into their Inns and guiding them to the best places to enjoy Wisconsin fall colors. To make this fall one you won't soon forget, you need to act fast.  Use our search tool to find an Inn, and book your fall getaway today.

See Wisconsin Fall Colors in 2019

From the very moment the leaves start to change in Wisconsin, they are tracked by the Wisconsin Fall Color Report.  According to this very useful tool, the best time to see the peak of Wisconsin fall colors is the 2nd week in October.  That doesn't mean it's the only time to plan a fall getaway, though.  In general, Mother Nature's fall show starts in early September in northern Wisconsin, and gradually works its way south. Whether hiking, biking, driving, or otherwise enjoying Wisconsin, these are the best ways to see the fall colors in Wisconsin in 2019.

Scenic Fall Drives in Wisconsin

We love a good scenic drive, and during the fall months, Wisconsin certainly does not disappoint.  Here are some of the most scenic drives around the state:

  • Marinette County Waterfall tour in northeastern Wisconsin is delightful during the fall. It features 14 waterfalls over its 125 miles. You can choose how many stops you want to make as you go.
  • In northwestern Wisconsin near the Hayward Lakes Area, there are 6 self-guided scenic drives to take. Each of them ranges from 45 - 70 miles, and will take you through some of the most popular areas for Wisconsin fall colors.
  • Drive along the Upper Mississippi River valley along the Great River Road, and enjoy the dramatic colors of fall set against the sharply rising sandstone bluffs.
  • The fall colors are beautiful on the Bayfield Peninsula, where you'll find the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway.
  • Take the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive through both the north and south units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
  • Drive along Wisconsin's Door County, a simply spectacular place to visit each fall.
  • Take a drive through Wisconsin's scenic Driftless Area, on the Baraboo Hills Scenic Drive.
Other Ways to Enjoy a Fall Getaway in Wisconsin

Stay at a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast

It goes without saying that one of our favorite things to do in Wisconsin is to enjoy a fall getaway at one of the state's incredible Bed and Breakfasts.  Ranging from urban and contemporary to rural and historic, Wisconsin is home to not only the finest Inns in the country but incomparable hospitality that you simply won't find anywhere else.  Our Innkeepers have incredible knowledge about their state and local areas and will be your best guide to making the most out of a fall getaway to one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts.  Use our search tool to find the Bed and Breakfast that matches your personality and interests, and book your fall getaway to Wisconsin today.

Wake up early at a Wisconsin B&B Association Inn

On this day in 1869, influential Wisconsin naturalist, John Muir penned these words in his July 19 journal entry in an effort to capture the experience of awakening for the first time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California:

Watching the daybreak and sunrise. The pale rose and purple sky changing softly to daffodil yellow and white, sunbeams pouring through the passes between the peaks and over the Yosemite domes, making their edges burn; the silver firs in the middle ground catching the glow on their spiry tops, and our camp grove fills and thrills with the glorious light. Everything awakening alert and joyful… John Muir, Entry for "July 19" from My First Summer in the Sierra, 1911. "California As I Saw It": First-Person Narratives of California's Early Years, 1849-1900
Courtesy of Library of Congress.

We at the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association couldn't agree more! Our member inns are here to make daybreak a  joyful experience. Not only will you be greeted with a delightful breakfast, but many times the grounds also offer spectacular opportunities to fully experience the wonders of nature. While our highest point (Timms Hill at 1,952 ft) is not exactly as awe-inspiring as the Sierra Nevadas, we believe sunrises at our 46 rural inns are definitely camera-worthy!  Case in point: Crystal River Inn, Waupaca. Innkeepers Robert and Deb Benada got these great shots around their inn.  To plan a getaway focused on bird-watching and nature preserves, we invite you to visit our birding map which will help you locate nearly 400 birding sites within 30 miles of one of our member B&Bs. [caption id="attachment_1261" align="aligncenter" width="559"]Morning Mist at Crystal River Inn, Waupaca. Morning Mist at Crystal River Inn, Waupaca.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1262" align="alignleft" width="215"]Indigo Bunting, Crystal River Inn, Waupaca. Indigo Bunting, Crystal River Inn, Waupaca.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1263" align="alignright" width="300"]Monarch Caterpillar at Crystal River Inn, Waupaca. Monarch Caterpillar at Crystal River Inn, Waupaca.[/caption]              

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