FOND DU LAC – Temperatures in the first half of September already gave mind to fall, and soon, green trees will give way to fall foliage.
A few Fond du Lac-area trees are starting to blush with new colors, and according to the Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report, the area is forecasted to peak in color the third week of October.
Here’s where you’ll be able to see the fall colors in the Fond du Lac area.
Kettle Moraine State Forest
The Kettle Moraine State Forest is often admired throughout the state for its scenic drives through the colors each fall.
The official scenic drive is 115 miles through six counties, but the Northern Unit in Fond du Lac County also holds its share of treasured views.
In addition to the scenic drive winding through the area, State 67 takes drivers through the forest and along Long Lake, with access to additional county highways.
For on-foot sightseeing, several trails like the Ice Age National Scenic Trail support hiking.
Lake Winnebago
Fall colors along Lake Winnebago are enhanced in a few spots with scenic overlooks.
Within the city of Fond du Lac, the trees at Lakeside Park bring color to the landscape. Before the lighthouse closes mid-October, the observation deck offers colorful views of the surrounding area.
The overlook at Kiekhaefer Park, W4235 Kiekhaefer Parkway, directly faces Lake Winnebago and the trees at its shores, and more trees line the trails.
The tower at Columbia Park, N10340 Calumet Harbor Road, offers 360-degree views of rural Fond du Lac County.
The Ledge
The Ledge in Fond du Lac County and beyond gives a unique supplement to fall colors in the area. Not only are the colors widely visible from the base of The Ledge, roads through eastern communities like Taycheedah are also scenically enhanced.
Area parks, like the thickly-wooded Hobbs Woods and the Dodge County Ledge Park, turn golden in the fall, changing the backdrop of the rocky outcroppings.
State and U.S. highways
Among local roads, an easy way to experience fall colors is to hop on U.S. 151 for a scenic drive. A particularly popular route involves driving east along Lake Winnebago into Calumet County.
State 23 in both directions also showcases unique scenery, but heading west leads into Ripon, which is often admired in the fall for its vibe as a small college town.
Horicon Marsh
Horicon Marsh is popular for sightseeing throughout most of the year, but in addition to colorful foliage, migrating birds make the marsh a fall stop for both sightseers and hunters.
This includes ducks like mallards, green-winged teals, northern pintails and gadwalls, as well as Canada geese and sandhill cranes.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac’s best spots to see fall colors include Kettle Moraine State Forest, The Ledge
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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