Chasing Autumn: A Gondola Rides into Fall During Stillwater Harvest Fest

Editor’s Note: As an ode to fall, I encourage Stillwater Patch users to show off the images you have captured of the beautiful St. Croix River Valley this fall and add them to the gallery on this post. Feel free to add any fall events and activities to the comments.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is predicting one of the best fall color seasons in the past 10 years. Minnesota Public Radio has great fall coverage, as well.

Why are fall colors especially vivid this year?

Adequate rain during growing season for two consecutive years and recent weather patterns—including the ideal combination of warm, sunny days and cool evenings—leads to the prediction for an especially vivid display of autumn color across the state, according to Jana Albers, DNR forest health specialist.

When do fall colors peak?

* Colors typically peak in the northern third of Minnesota is between mid-September and early October.

* In the central third of the state colors typically peak between late September and early October.

* Color typically peaks here in the lower third of the state between late September and mid-October.

Planning to getaway?

If you’re looking for a place and time to schedule a weekend getaway to catch the colors as they peak, visit the DNR’s Fall Color website. The fall color reports are updated by noon on Thursdays and include percent of color change, peak color projections, flowers and grasses in bloom and more.

* Fall color information also can be accessed from smart phones.

Chasing Autumn

Afton State Park’s leaf color is between 25 and 50 percent changed; flower color is between past peak and grass color is 50-75 percent, according to the DNR.

This will be a beautiful weekend to visit Interstate State Park, where the leaf color is between 75-100 percent changed; flower color is past peak and grass color is between 50-75 percent changed.

William O’Brien State Park’s leaf color is between 25-50 percent changed, but reports say the colors are changing fast; and flower and grass colors are past peak.

Fall Events

This weekend Stillwater has the ; the ; and the Fight the Fire 5K Walk/Run.

Many Minnesota state parks have planned programs and special events to coincide with peak color projections in their area. Here is a calendar of events going on at state parks this autumn.

Fall color updates are provided by Minnesota State Parks staff.