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Wisconsin fall foliage
In a typical year, fall color in Wisconsin peaks from about September 27 around Minocqua (1,600 ft) to about October 17 around Milwaukee (620 ft).
2026 foliage season
Wisconsin fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 4 Wisconsin destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
How fall color moves through Wisconsin
In a typical year, the color moves through Wisconsin over about 3 weeks. Minocqua is usually first, around September 27, and Milwaukee is usually last, around October 17. In order, the typical peaks are: Minocqua around September 27, Sturgeon Bay around October 9, Madison around October 12, and Milwaukee around October 17.
Best places for Wisconsin fall foliage
- Minocqua: typically peaks around September 27.
- Sturgeon Bay: Sturgeon Bay sits where a ship canal cuts across the Door Peninsula, linking the waters of Green Bay to Lake Michigan.
- Madison: Madison is built on an isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona, with the dome of the State Capitol at the center.
- Milwaukee: Milwaukee sits on the bluffs above Lake Michigan, and its lakefront parks are the easiest place in the city to see the color.
Scenic drives
- Near Sturgeon Bay: The Door County Coastal Byway loops the northern peninsula.
- Near Madison: US 12 heads northwest from Madison to the Baraboo Hills, where Devil’s Lake State Park sits between quartzite bluffs about 500 feet high.
- Near Milwaukee: The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive winds for more than 100 miles through the Kettle Moraine State Forest’s northern and southern units, following back roads over the ridges and past kettle lakes, marshes, and hardwood forest.
Planning around elevation
Minocqua, at about 1,600 feet, is the highest destination we track in Wisconsin, and it typically peaks about 13 days before Sturgeon Bay, at about 590 feet. It is also well to the north, which affects the timing too. Within any one area, higher ground usually turns first, so if one place is still green, look higher; if it is past peak, look lower.
Visiting at different times
Late September. Minocqua (best about Sep 25–Oct 3) is typically at its best.
Early October. Sturgeon Bay (best about Oct 8–Oct 16) is typically at its best.
Mid-October. Madison (best about Oct 11–Oct 19) and Milwaukee (best about Oct 16–Oct 24) are typically at their best.
Trees behind the color
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in Wisconsin?
In a typical year, fall color in Wisconsin peaks from about September 27 around Minocqua (1,600 ft) to about October 17 around Milwaukee (620 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in Wisconsin?
Minocqua is usually first among the Wisconsin destinations we track, with peak around September 27. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in Wisconsin?
Milwaukee usually peaks last, around October 17. Milwaukee is well to the south of the state’s other destinations we track, which is part of why its color comes late.
What trees give Wisconsin its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include sugar maple, northern red oak, paper birch, bur oak, shagbark hickory, and quaking aspen.
Check any city or ZIP code in Wisconsin.
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