As the weather cools down, Wisconites patiently wait for the leaves to transition from greens to shades of oranges, reds, and yellows. Fall foliage in Wisconsin will soon be at its peak, offering a brief window of time to see this vibrant seasonal display. One of the best spots for fall colors can be found in Northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. Bayfield County offers a fall experience for everyone, whether you want to attend the apple festival, hike through foliage trails, or spend the day exploring the Apostle Islands. Choose Old Rittenhouse Inn to host your fall getaway and discover the best little town in the Midwest today!
Bayfield County Fall Hikes
Bayfield County is home to around 40 hiking trails where you can set off on fall adventures. Our trails not only offer spectacular autumn colors; they also offer views of waterfalls, Lake Superior, old-growth forests, and rock formations. Here are a few of our favorite trails to see fall foliage in Wisconsin:
- Brownstone Trail
- Big Ravine Trail
- Ironbridge Trail
- Houghton Falls Nature Preserve
- North County National Scenic Trail
Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway
If you want to see fall foliage in Wisconsin without hiking, we recommend taking a scenic drive instead. The Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway is a 70-mile drive along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Travel along the Bayfield peninsula and take in views of forests, sandy beaches, the lake, quaint harbor towns, and orchards. This is a fantastic day-trip opportunity for visitors who want to explore the unique beauty of Nothern, Wisconsin, this fall.
Apostle Islands Fall Hikes & Experiences
Bayfield is also the gateway city to the Apostle Islands, a scenic archipelago of 20 islands in Lake Superior. Whether you want to see the fall colors on land or water, there are several ways to experience the vibrant colors of the islands.
Take a boat cruise around the Apostle Islands to witness the unique beauty of this environment. With Apostle Islands Cruises, you will pass by natural scenery, windswept beaches, historic lighthouses, rock formations, and sea caves. You can also take the Madeline Island Ferry Line to get from Bayfield to the most popular Apostle Island. Once you have arrived, we encourage you to stretch your legs with a scenic fall hike at Big Bay State Park. Take the Bay View Trail to follow the shoreline of Lake Superior, dotted with colorful foliage.
Plan a Fall Getaway in Northern Wisconsin
There are many ways to witness the magic of fall foliage in Wisconsin when you vacation in Bayfield. Old Rittenhouse Inn offers the perfect place to host your getaway, nestled on the shores of Lake Superior. Join us for special events like Fall Brew Weekend and enjoy regional brews with a gourmet flair in our Landmark Restaurant. We’ll see you this fall in Bayfield!