When do the leaves change in Wisconsin?
Northwoods maple and birch forests surround thousands of glacial lakes, with Door County's shoreline bluffs adding a second wave of color along Lake Michigan.
Peak: October 11–October 17
Color builds from September 29 · mostly bare by November 3
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.
Known for
Things to do in fall in Wisconsin
16 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Peninsula State Park
State parkPeak October 15
Door County's flagship park, established 1909, covers 3,776 acres and eight miles of Green Bay shoreline near Fish Creek and Ephraim. Climb Eagle Tower or bike the shoreline trails as sugar maples turn against the water. It's the peninsula's most photographed fall scenery, peaking late Sept into early Oct.
Don’t miss: Eagle Tower observation deck · 8 miles of Green Bay shoreline · peak color late Sept to early Oct
Devil's Lake State Park
State parkPeak October 15
Wisconsin's most-visited state park rings a 360-acre lake with 500-foot quartzite bluffs near Baraboo, its 9,217 acres crossed by 29 miles of trail past formations like Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway. Oak and maple color the bluff tops in early October above climbers and lake-trail hikers alike.
Don’t miss: 500-ft quartzite bluffs · Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway · 29 miles of trails
Holy Hill Basilica
ViewpointPeak October 16
A minor basilica built by Discalced Carmelite friars crowns a Kettle Moraine hilltop in Hubertus, where a 178-step observation tower climbs above the church for 360-degree views over turning maple and oak, with Milwaukee's skyline visible some 30 miles off on a clear fall day.
Don’t miss: 178-step observation tower · 360-degree Kettle Moraine views · working Carmelite monastery
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
National parkPeak October 11
Established in 1970, this Lake Superior park protects 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline near Bayfield, home to the National Park System's largest collection of lighthouses. Fall boat and kayak tours thread sea caves and sandstone cliffs backed by turning birch and maple, usually peaking late September.
Don’t miss: 21 Lake Superior islands · largest NPS lighthouse collection · sea cave boat and kayak tours
The Elegant Farmer
OrchardColor nearby peaks October 19
Founded as a dairy farm in 1946 and now run by its fourth generation in Mukwonago, this market ships close to 10,000 Apple Pies Baked in a Paper Bag nationwide during Thanksgiving week alone. Fall visitors browse the pumpkin patch and harvest market for the same pie fresh off the farm.
Don’t miss: Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag · family-run since 1946 · pumpkin patch and harvest market
The Hill Has Eyes
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 19
Billed as the Midwest's top outdoor haunt, this Franklin attraction south of Milwaukee sends guests through about an hour of terror across four fully-outdoor walk-throughs - Dead End, Failed Escape, Hunger Hollow and CARNIvore - one admission for all four, with a Party Pit between the scares.
Don’t miss: Four outdoor haunts, one ticket · About an hour of scares · Party Pit between haunts
Apple Holler
OrchardColor nearby peaks October 21
A 78-acre family orchard between Milwaukee and Chicago with pick-your-own apples, peaches and pears, a Red Barn Restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily, tractor-drawn hayrides, a corn maze and a forest of 150-year-old oaks. Cider doughnuts and apple-cider floats round out the visit.
Don’t miss: Pick-your-own apples, peaches, pears · Red Barn Restaurant on site · Forest of 150-year-old oaks
AEppelTreow Winery & Distillery
Cider millColor nearby peaks October 21
A farmhouse cidery working out of a barn on Brightonwoods Orchard south of Burlington, pressing hard cider, perry and spirits from its own trees. Sit down for a flight in the tasting room, then walk the mowed orchard paths or picnic under trees that are turning color by late September.
Don’t miss: Hard cider, perry and spirits tastings · Orchard walking paths and picnic grounds · Flights and carry out bottles
Guides
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Wisconsin in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 11–October 17 (best estimate October 14). Color starts around September 29 and trees are mostly bare by November 3.
- How reliable is the Wisconsin forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is Wisconsin's autumn season?
- Wisconsin colors during autumn (September–November). Northwoods maple and birch forests surround thousands of glacial lakes, with Door County's shoreline bluffs adding a second wave of color along Lake Michigan.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Wisconsin?
- The iconic stops: Peninsula State Park, Devil's Lake State Park, Holy Hill Basilica, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, The Elegant Farmer, The Hill Has Eyes. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Wisconsin?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Peninsula State Park, Devil's Lake State Park, Holy Hill Basilica, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, The Elegant Farmer; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Wisconsin
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 11–October 17
September 29 → November 3