Fall Colors & Driving Tours

This fall, take back a little of what the rest of the world takes away!

FALL COLOR UPDATE(10/23/08)
The leaves are past peak and falling repidly.

Fall colors typically peak on the Iron Range between September 15 and October 15. Be sure to bookmark our website and check back often for updates on colors this fall season.

Trees, Flowers, and Grasses: The colors are now at full peak, with most aspen and birch having turned yellow. Many maples still have their leaves, so there is a gorgeous mix of yellows, reds and oranges everywhere you look. Dogwoods and red oaks are adding red to the understory, along with yellow from the hazel.

FALL COLOR SCENIC DRIVE OPTIONS

A great way to explore the breathtaking views of fall is on spectacular scenic drives. To follow you will find highlighted driving routes where you can experience Iron Range fall colors in all of their colorful glory!

Scenic Drive Option #1: The Laurentian Divide Recreation Area is located four miles north of Virginia with the opportunity to walk the Physical Fitness Trail and the Lookout Mountain cross-country ski trails. These trails will take you through some of the most colorful maple stands in the area.

Scenic Drive Option #2: From Virginia, take Highway 53 north for 8 miles to County Road 131. Turn right for 1 mile then left on County Road 68 for 0.3 miles. Continue north on County Road 405 to Forest Road 256 (gravel). Travel north on Forest Road 256 to Highway 1. You will pass the Pfeiffer Lake Campground and Picnic Area. Stop for a picnic lunch! This is a leisurely drive through a beautiful part of the Laurentian Ranger District. At Highway 1 you can turn right and go to Highway 169 or go left to Highway 53. Before you get to Highway 53 you will see County Road 381 to the south. Follow this gravel road. It turns into County Road 467 and leads you back to Highway 53.

Scenic Drive Option #3: Big Aspen Trail. Follow the directions for #2 and you will see the Big Aspen Trailhead. Walk, bike or ATV along the 20 miles of trails that loop up onto scenic ridges. Trail maps at each junction help you find your way.

Scenic Drive Option # 4: The Superior National Forest Scenic Byway (also known as Forest Highway 11 or County 110) east of Hoyt Lakes is a great place to view the colors. It holds some hidden treasures if you can leave the paved road and travel the gravel roads. Directions: Follow the Highway from Hoyt Lakes east and south. You will pass the Skibo Vista road. The vista was where an old fire lookout tower used to sit. It is certainly worth the trip to the top of the hill.

Keep going to the stop sign. Turn right on County Road 16. Forest Road 118 (Camp 26 Road) goes south from County 16. It is a one lane gravel road with turnouts. The road will eventually connect with Highway 4.

At the same stop sign turn left instead of right. (This is still Forest Highway 11 but also known as County Road 16.) Further down County 16 is Forest Road 416. This is also a one lane gravel road with turnouts. This dead end road gives you twice the view as you turn around and come back out to County 16.

Scenic Drive Option #5: Highway 135 from Aurora to Tower is fall color fantasy land with rolling hills of the Laurentian Divide.

Scenic Drive Option #:6 Take Highway 53 south of Virginia to the ramp exit for Highway 37. Turn west to Hibbing. If you have a little extra time turn south on County Highway 7 toward Zim.