Our Favorite Wisconsin Road Trips for Fall Colors from the Fox Cities

Fall Color Drive to Rib Mountain State Park

One of our favorite things to do in Fall is to pack up the kids and enjoy the Fall colors in Wisconsin. We have rounded up lots of great options in and around Northeast Wisconsin.

Highway 42 near Northport and the Washington Island Ferry dock in Door County

1. Door County

Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 2nd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report.

  • Skyline Road, Fish Creek
  • Kangaroo Lake Circle, Baileys Harbor
  • Horseshoe Bay Drive, Egg Harbor to Sturgeon Bay
  • Washington Island

READ MORE: 12 Favorite Family-Friendly Fall Things to Do in Door County

Parks

Family Favorite Farms

Observation Towers

  • Mountain Park, 1403 Mountain Rd, Washington Island
  • Peninsula State Park: Eagle Tower (accessible via Skywalk)
  • Potawatomi State Park, 3740 County Highway PD, Sturgeon Bay

Ice Cream

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard Door County
Not Licked Yet, Fish Creek, Door County

2. East Side of Lake Winnebago (High Cliff)

Calumet & Fond du Lac Counties: Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 3rd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Also along the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive.

Fall Family Favorite Spots

Little Farmer Malone
The Little Farmer, Malone

Get lost in a corn maze!

Observation Towers

Ice Cream

READ MORE: The Ultimate Fall Guide to the East Side of Lake Winnebago

Holy Hill

3. Old Scenic Route through Washington County, near Holy Hill

This route is 115 miles long through 6 Wisconsin Counties. The Northern tip begins near Elkhart Lake. (Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive)

Elkhart Lake: Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 3rd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Observation Tours

  • Sheboygan Marsh Park & Wildlife Area, W7039 County Road, Elkhart Lake
  • Parnell Tower, Kettle Moraine State Forest, W7876 County Highway U, Plymouth

READ MORE: Clear Waters at the Pike Lake Unit in Kettle Moraine State Forest

4. Vilas County, Rustic Road 60

Near Eagle River and Minocqua, about 3 hours north of the Fox Valley, part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Drive through Wausau to check out Rib Mountain.

Eagle River: Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 1st Week/2nd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Observation Towers

Ice Cream

  • Belts, 2140 Division St, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

READ MORE: Fabulous Family Fun: Things To Do With Kids in Wausau

Kids hiking on Queen's Chair at Rib Mountain Wisconsin State Park
Boulder Climbing at Rib Mountain State Park

5. Way-Morr County Park, 3832 Park Road (Town of Morrison), Greenleaf, Wisconsin

Enjoy a picnic along the Branch River or stretch your legs at the children’s park.

Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 2nd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

6. Cathedral Pines State Natural Area, Townsend

About 1.5 hours from the Fox Cities

Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 1st Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Candy Treats

Pamperin Park Green Bay Wisconsin
Pamperin Park in Fall, Green Bay

7. Pamperin Park, 2801 County RK, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Estimated Week of Peak Fall Colors: 3rd Week of October via Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Stop at the park for a pit stop on the way to the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park (about a 15-minute drive from Pamperin Park).

Observation Tower

  • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, 1660 East Shore Drive Green Bay, Wisconsin
    • Feed the geese, enjoy the waterfall, and learn about Wisconsin wildlife. Climb the Observation tower for awesome views.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Green Bay Waterfalls
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Green Bay

Ice Cream

  • Zesty’s Frozen Custard
    • 2639 Lineville Road, Green Bay
    • 508 Greene Ave., Green Bay
    • 3718 Riverside Dr, De Pere, Wisconsin

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