Outdoors: Minnesota day trips to see the fall colors

Fall color season is drawing outdoor enthusiasts across northern Minnesota, where forests and public lands shift from late September into mid-October. Sara Berhow, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources parks and trails division, plans to visit the Boundary Waters, calling it one of the best places to see leaves. DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen says the timing varies by location, typically beginning in the far northwest and north-central areas and progressing toward the southeast. The DNR points to two key drivers: shorter days and cooler temperatures, with weather able to adjust the schedule by two to four days. Peak color usually lasts about a week per region and is most vivid with sunny days and cool nights around 32 to 45°F.