Tag Archives: fall color

Fall color hotspots along the northern Great River Road

Tuesday, September 08, 2026

Fall colors put on an 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 in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri.

Here are a few you shouldn’t miss.

Great River Bluffs State Park – Winona, Minnesota

This state park southeast of Winona is home to nearly 10 miles of hiking trails and outstanding views of the Mississippi River. It’s a great place to go in fall, as the trails lead to several scenic overlooks along the river where hikers can see fall colors along the bluffs below and across the river in Wisconsin. 

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.

Pere Marquette State Park – Grafton, Illinois

Located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers in southwestern Illinois, this scenic state park is the largest in Illinois, covering nearly 8,000 acres. In addition to awe-inspiring views of the Illinois River, the park is home to eight trails of varying lengths open for hiking, biking, equestrian activities, and winter sports.

Riverview Park – Hannibal, Missouri

True to its name, Riverview Park in Hannibal offers amazing views of the Missouri and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River during fall color season. (Fall colors in Missouri usually peak in mid-to-late October.) The 465-acre park is home to nearly 5 miles of paved and unpaved trails that wind through the park and along the river. There is also a Mark Twain statue—this is his boyhood home, after all, and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum (an official Great River Road Interpretive Center) is a must-visit.

(Photo: Great River Bluffs State Park, Minnesota/Beth Barutha)

Chasing fall color on the Great River Road

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Autumn is one of the most spectacular times to travel the Great River Road. The Mississippi River Valley’s unique landscape explodes in brilliant shades of red and gold. Parks along the route offer dramatic vistas—they are perfect places to take in the beauty of the season. Here are some good bets for fall color along the northern section of the Great River Road.

Perrot State Park, Trempealeau, Wisconsin

A good bet for fall color is this forested Wisconsin state park is located where the Trempealeau River meets the Mississippi River. Don’t miss the view from the top of 500-foot cliffs. Consider bringing walking shoes—the area’s hiking trails will take you through some spectacular foliage.

Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor, Iowa

Get ready for dramatic views when you get out of your car at the top of Pike’s Peak. This park’s 500-foot bluffs offer fantastic vistas of the river valley from the Iowa side. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Iowa, and in the fall, the views are incredible.

Great River Bluffs State Park, Winona, Minnesota

Another breathtaking spot to take in the fall beauty is Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona. This preserve features steep-sided 500-foot bluffs. Hike the King’s Bluff trail to discover sweeping fall views of the Mississippi River Valley.

Grandad Bluff, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Head up for some of the best fall color in La Crosse. From this 600-foot bluff you can take in the city of La Crosse and the rolling landscape referred to as the Coulee Region. You can see three states from this vantage point: Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque, Iowa

The world’s shortest, steepest elevator ride is your ticket to fall color in Dubuque. The elevator was originally built to help people who lived in the bluffs get home more quickly than driving their horse and buggy up the steep hills. The ride is about 300 feet long but takes you 189 feet up. From above you’ll see a panoramic view of fall color that covers three states!

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Madison, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri

This unusual bridge is considered one of the area’s best places to see fall color. Built in 1929, the bridge is unlike any other—it actually bends mid-way across the Mississippi. Today the bridge is open to bikes and pedestrians. Bring your camera!