Fall colors put on amazing show along the Mississippi River every autumn, and there are lots of great views to be had along the Great River Road. There are dozens of scenic overlooks along the northern part of the river, and the Great River Road boasts an impressive array of parks and other attractions that are great locales for seeing fall color. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss.
Garvin Heights Park – Winona, Minnesota
Take the 1.5-mile road up the bluff side to get to the scenic overlook of Winona and all its beautiful fall colors. This is an ideal place for a picnic on a warmer day. Hikers can explore beautiful trails that trace the ledges of the bluffs. Or bring your bike and try to bike up the bluff—it’s such a challenging ride that Tour de France winner Greg LeMond trained here!
Buena Vista Park & Overlook – Alma, Wisconsin
This great spot overlooking the Mississippi is located 30 minutes north of Winona. Better Homes & Gardens Magazine named this one of the river valley’s “finest natural balconies.” The lookout towers 500 feet above tree-lined Alma and the Mississippi River Valley. Watch the barges and boats travel through the lock & dam, do some birdwatching, and watch the sun set over the river!
Mount Hosmer Park, Lansing, Iowa
This park is located on a bluff that towers 450 feet above Lansing. It offers a panoramic overlook of 50 miles of the Mississippi River Valley and its fall foliage. There’s also some beautiful hiking and biking trails here. While in Lansing, check out one of our official Great River Road Interpretive Centers, the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center.
Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque, Iowa
Here you’ll find the world’s shortest, steepest elevator ride. The elevator was originally built to help people who lived in the bluffs get home more quickly than driving their horse and buggy. The ride is about 300 feet long but takes you 189 feet up. Below you’ll see a spectacular view of Dubuque’s historic business district, the Mississippi River and three states!
(Photo: Mount Hosmer Park in fall/Monica Edeker)
