Top five places to see fall colors
With it officially being October, more and more trees have been trading in their green summer leaves for the bright oranges and yellows of fall.
Driving around Duluth has become more like driving through a glimmering ember with the trees ablazed in color.
Luckily, UMD is surrounded by many areas that offer these autumn views.
The pond at Bagley Nature Area. Photo by Brianna Taggart
Bagley Nature Area
Location: 631 W. St. Marie St., Duluth, MN 55811
Bagley Nature Center is located right on campus, making it one of the easier places for students to get to. The center offers hiking trails through an area of deciduous trees and around a pond.
If a walk through this park isn’t enough to suit all your fall needs, then maybe a night spent camping here will suffice. The nature area has six campsites available to reserve through UMD’s Recreational Sports and Outdoors Program (RSOP).
Each campsite, tents only, is available for a maximum of six people for the cost $25 per night. However, if you don’t own the gear to make this the perfect fall night, then for a larger total of $55 per night, you can get the Bagley Campground Gear Package. This includes the following: a one four-person tent or two two-person tents; cooking, eating and cleaning kits; four sleeping bags; one rain tarp; two-burner stove; the campsite fee.
Reservations can be made by calling 218-726-6134, and more information can be found on RSOP’s website.
The river in Chester Park. Photo by Brianna Taggart
Chester Park
Location: 1800 E. Skyline Pkwy, Duluth, MN 55805
Chester Park is located just blocks away from UMD’s campus, and, while located in the middle of a residential area, acts as a forest oasis with a running river.
The yellows and oranges of the leaves mixed with the deep greens of pine trees plays as a colorful backdrop to this hiking trail that doubles as part of the Superior Hiking Trail.
People can park for free at the parking lot at Chester Bowl and hike as far as they want to get their fill on autumn vibes. It’s easy to get to by either driving, biking or walking.
The view from Rock Knob at Hartley Nature Center. Photo by Brianna Taggart
Hartley Nature Center
Location: 3001 Woodland Ave., Duluth, MN 55803
Hartley Nature Center is a 660-acre area, according to their website, with a wide range of trails. So if hiking, biking or hammocking is your go-to, this is the place to be. With an area this big though, it might be easy to get lost on the trails, so be sure to check their trail map in advance.
With trails in pine forests and rocky skylines with views of Lake Superior, this nature center offers many opportunities to get immersed in colorful foliage this season.
There’s also a pond surrounded by trees and a dock for people to walk out on if hitting the trails isn’t your thing.
The view from the top of Enger Tower. Photo by Brianna Taggart
Enger Tower
Location: 16th Ave W and Skyline Drive, Duluth, MN 55806
Enger Tower may be one of the more tourist attractions on this list, but there’s a reason for that. It offers a different perspective on all the views Duluth has to offer.
While hiking amidst the trees is great, there’s something about being above them and looking down on all the colors swirling together with Lake Superior in the distance.
Along with the tower, a Japanese garden and wondering paths can also be found here.
Fall leaves along the north shore. Photo by Brianna Taggart
Britton Peak
Location: Superior Hiking Trail, Tofte, MN 55615
This is the furthest one the list due to it being about an hour and a 40-minute drive from campus; however, it’s worth it.
Located near Temperance River on the north shore, it’s only about a 10-minute hike to the top of this peak with views scanning forests and Lake Superior.
This may not be the easiest one to get to during the week but could work as a day-trip during the weekend to escape from the stresses of college.