Drive Superior National Forest's Fall Color Route

Every Autumn, Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota designates some of it's best roads as official Fall Color Routes. These roads go deep into the forest, far from towns and cell phone reception to show off the best Minnesota has to offer. Peak season is short, only a week or two sometime between mid-September and mid-October, so plan ahead and don't miss your opportunity.

Driving all the roads would take several days, so I'll highlight one popular route. From Duluth, drive north along Scenic Hwy 61 about 60 miles to the turnoff to Finland on Hwy 1. The Fall Color Route begins at Cramer Rd/Hwy 7. Follow Hwy 7 about 30 miles to Hwy 8. This first stretch follows is mostly through wetlands with many rivers, lakes, and bogs. Take a right on Hwy 8 and follow it all the way back to Lake Superior in the town of Schroeder. This second section rises out of the valley and gives you views of the surrounding area as well as the more showy maples. Don't worry about getting lost, most intersections are marked with National Forest signs pointing you in the right direction.