Explore. Learn. Unwind
🍁 Fall Colors Weekend on Minnesota’s North Shore: Duluth to Grand Marais
Dates: September 26–28, 2025
Location: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (Finland, MN)
Experience the North Shore at Peak Fall Color
Autumn transforms Minnesota’s North Shore into a breathtaking tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds. From Duluth to Grand Marais, the highlands and ridges of the Superior National Forest light up with vibrant maples, while shoreline birch and aspen add sparkling yellows that linger into early October.
At Wolf Ridge, nestled inland and elevated above Lake Superior, Fall Colors Weekend (Sept 26–28, 2025) is perfectly timed to catch maples at their peak and see the first golden touches of aspen and birch.
🍂 Week-by-Week Fall Color Guide: Duluth → Grand Marais
| Location | Expected Peak Color | Notes |
| Duluth / West Duluth | Late Sept – Oct 4 | Inland pockets peak mid-late Sept; early reds and golds |
| Two Harbors → Gooseberry Falls | Sept 18–28 | Ridge maples often color first; great scenic stops |
| Beaver Bay → Finland (Wolf Ridge) | Sept 21–29 | Inland, elevated—maples at peak during Wolf Ridge weekend |
| Schroeder → Tofte → Lutsen | Sept 24 – Oct 4 | Highland maples peak, shoreline aspens start yellowing |
| Grand Marais → Grand Portage | Sept 28 – Oct 8 | Shoreline species like birch and poplar peak later, linger longer |
Tip: Colors vary slightly each year depending on temperature, frost, and rainfall. Wolf Ridge is elevated and inland, so expect earlier, brilliant reds on the ridges, with yellows beginning along the lakeshore.
🌟 Make the Most of Your Weekend at Wolf Ridge
Guests can tailor their weekend to their own pace—wander the trails and soak in the scenery on your own, or register for one of three immersive classes offered this weekend: Geology & Agates, Saw-whet Owl Banding, or Migration Stories. Each class provides a hands-on opportunity to connect with the region’s natural wonders while the leaves blaze around you.
Reserve your spot now: Wolf Ridge Fall Colors Weekend
🍁 Insider Tips for a Memorable Trip
- Morning hikes capture the best light and avoid mid-day crowds.
- Dress in layers: mornings can be chilly along at The North Shore.
- Plan Scenic 61 stops: Snap photos at overlooks, waterfalls, and historic lighthouses.
- Check live color updates: The Minnesota DNR Fall Color Finder is helpful for daily conditions.
Why This Weekend is Special
Fall Colors Weekend at Wolf Ridge is timed perfectly—you’ll catch inland maples at their fiery peak and witness the first golden hues of shoreline birch and aspen. It’s a rare opportunity to experience Minnesota’s North Shore at its most colorful, all while enjoying guided hikes, photography tips, and cozy lodge accommodations.
Don’t miss it—book your suite at the MAC Lodge today: Wolf Ridge Fall Colors Weekend
Or register for one of our Fall Adult Workshops