We’re blessed with a stunning and extensive state park system here in Wisconsin. Every part of the state has state-owned parks, forests and natural areas that that protect the gorgeous natural beauty of the Dairy State. Fall is a great time to head out and see all the gorgeous changing leaves from these amazing state parks — and enjoy a night or two under the stars, too! If you’re looking for the best fall foliage and camping in Wisconsin, here are 12 spots sure to have you falling for our beautiful state!
- Wyalusing State Park - Bagley
Flickr/Mike Willis Wyalusing State Park is perched along the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and has cliffs that overlook the valley below and give you awesome panoramic views. Wyalusing State Park is located on State Park Ln, Bagley, WI, 53801. State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
- Willow River State Park - Hudson
Flickr/JimBrekke Over in the northwest corner, Hudson is home to Willow River State Park, with its pretty Willow River Falls. This hilly part of the state gives great views of the different trees as they rise up. This park is located at 1034 County Highway A, Hudson, WI, 54016. Willow River State Park, 1034 Co Hwy A, Hudson, WI 54016, USA
- Brunet Island State Park - Cornell
Flickr/JenniKonrad With all the waterfront on the Chippewa River, you’ve got great vistas up at the forest and trees. Every campground at Brunet Island State Park has water access and fall means a whole lot less bugs. This is really one of the best places to see in the fall. Brunet Island State Park is located at 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI, 54732. Brunet Island State Park, 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI 54732, USA
- High Cliff State Park - Sherwood
Flickr/Dave The 400-foot bluff on the Niagara Escarpment rises above Lake Winnebago and offers gorgeous sweeping views. Hike down the cliff to get down under the colors for a unique view. This gorgeous Wisconsin State Park is located at N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI, 54169. High Cliff State Park Road, High Cliff State Park Rd, Harrison, WI 54952, USA
- Peninsula State Park - Fish Creek
Flickr/James Jordan Door County is famous the world over for it’s stunning fall color displays and Peninsula State Park is a great place to see them. The white birch offer a brilliant backdrop for the bright leaves. Located at 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI, 54212. Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USA
- Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area - Menomonie
Flickr/DocTharp There are miles and miles of hiking trails at Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area and an awesome mix of wetlands, prairie, and wooded hills that are home to all kinds of different trees and plants. Plus, the observation tower lets you look out over it all. Located at 740th St, Menomonie, WI, 54751. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, 740th St, Menomonie, WI 54751, USA
- Devil’s Lake State Park - Baraboo
Flickr/erin english Home to one of the largest continguous deciduous forests in the country and on what used to be a larger mountain range than the Rockies, the plant life at Devil’s Lake State Park is varied, abundant and jaw-dropping. This beautiful Wisconsin State Park is located at S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913. East Devils Lake State Park, E Devils Lake State Park, Lincoln City, OR, USA
- Governor Dodge State Park - Dodgeville
Flickr/WIDNR Steep hills and deep valleys make Governor Dodge State Park an interesting spot for fall colors. There are so many different vantage points to take in the natural beauty. It’s located at 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI, 53533. Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA
- Rib Mountain State Park - Wausau
Flickr/PhotoFiend This popular ski spot is one of the tallest in the area and always gets great color while not making folks travel all the way north to see it. It is located at 4200 Park Rd, Wausau, WI, 54401. State Park Road, State Park Rd, Wausau, WI 54401, USA
- Straight Lake State Park - Luck
Flickr/ElvisKennedy Another northwest Wisconsin beauty, the colors here are vibrant and awe-inspiring. Straight Lake State Park is located in Luck, WI. Straight Lake State Park, Luck, WI 54853, USA
- Black River State Forest - Black River Falls
Flickr/Jeff McCabe You’ll love wandering around Black River State Forest, a pristine forest up near Eau Claire. This beautiful paradise is located at W10235 US-12, Black River Falls, WI, 54615. Black River State Forest, Millston, WI 54615, USA
- Mirror Lake State Park - Baraboo
Flickr/ebass Much the same beauty as Devil’s Lake but with the added gorgeous namesake lake to reflect the colors. Mirror Lake State Park is located at E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913. Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA
What do you think — what are your picks for the state parks with the best fall camping in Wisconsin? Or are you more of a summer camping fan? Looking for more reasons to get out and enjoy fall in our parks? Check out 11 Reasons Fall Is Actually the Perfect Time For Camping In Wisconsin.
Flickr/Mike Willis
Wyalusing State Park is perched along the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and has cliffs that overlook the valley below and give you awesome panoramic views. Wyalusing State Park is located on State Park Ln, Bagley, WI, 53801.
State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
Flickr/JimBrekke
Over in the northwest corner, Hudson is home to Willow River State Park, with its pretty Willow River Falls. This hilly part of the state gives great views of the different trees as they rise up. This park is located at 1034 County Highway A, Hudson, WI, 54016.
Willow River State Park, 1034 Co Hwy A, Hudson, WI 54016, USA
Flickr/JenniKonrad
With all the waterfront on the Chippewa River, you’ve got great vistas up at the forest and trees. Every campground at Brunet Island State Park has water access and fall means a whole lot less bugs. This is really one of the best places to see in the fall. Brunet Island State Park is located at 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI, 54732.
Brunet Island State Park, 23125 255th St, Cornell, WI 54732, USA
Flickr/Dave
The 400-foot bluff on the Niagara Escarpment rises above Lake Winnebago and offers gorgeous sweeping views. Hike down the cliff to get down under the colors for a unique view. This gorgeous Wisconsin State Park is located at N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI, 54169.
High Cliff State Park Road, High Cliff State Park Rd, Harrison, WI 54952, USA
Flickr/James Jordan
Door County is famous the world over for it’s stunning fall color displays and Peninsula State Park is a great place to see them. The white birch offer a brilliant backdrop for the bright leaves. Located at 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI, 54212.
Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USA
Flickr/DocTharp
There are miles and miles of hiking trails at Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area and an awesome mix of wetlands, prairie, and wooded hills that are home to all kinds of different trees and plants. Plus, the observation tower lets you look out over it all. Located at 740th St, Menomonie, WI, 54751.
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, 740th St, Menomonie, WI 54751, USA
Flickr/erin english
Home to one of the largest continguous deciduous forests in the country and on what used to be a larger mountain range than the Rockies, the plant life at Devil’s Lake State Park is varied, abundant and jaw-dropping. This beautiful Wisconsin State Park is located at S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913.
East Devils Lake State Park, E Devils Lake State Park, Lincoln City, OR, USA
Flickr/WIDNR
Steep hills and deep valleys make Governor Dodge State Park an interesting spot for fall colors. There are so many different vantage points to take in the natural beauty. It’s located at 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI, 53533.
Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA
Flickr/PhotoFiend
This popular ski spot is one of the tallest in the area and always gets great color while not making folks travel all the way north to see it. It is located at 4200 Park Rd, Wausau, WI, 54401.
State Park Road, State Park Rd, Wausau, WI 54401, USA
Flickr/ElvisKennedy
Another northwest Wisconsin beauty, the colors here are vibrant and awe-inspiring. Straight Lake State Park is located in Luck, WI.
Straight Lake State Park, Luck, WI 54853, USA
Flickr/Jeff McCabe
You’ll love wandering around Black River State Forest, a pristine forest up near Eau Claire. This beautiful paradise is located at W10235 US-12, Black River Falls, WI, 54615.
Black River State Forest, Millston, WI 54615, USA
Flickr/ebass
Much the same beauty as Devil’s Lake but with the added gorgeous namesake lake to reflect the colors. Mirror Lake State Park is located at E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI, 53913.
Mirror Lake State Park, E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best fall camping in wisconsin August 17, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best places for fall foliage viewing in Wisconsin? Call us biased, but we are partial to the Wisconsin Dells – and not just for summer fun! The Waterpark Capital of the World is obviously super fun in the summer, but during the fall, this region of the Badger State takes on a breathtaking, sublime beauty. Even better? While the Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo area tends to be so crowded during summer with all of the tourists, you can beat the tourist trap and come during the fall. One of our favorite spots in the region is Devil’s Lake State Park, a place that will look even more magnificent with the changing foliage. It’s also so much nicer to hike when it’s not so sticky and hot. Since you won’t be heading to the water parks (or at least you will go to the indoor ones), it gives you a chance to explore other attractions such as the great dining opportunities, including several charming fall festivals. Another Door Country favorite that’s known for beautiful fall foliage is Peninsula State Park; the juxtaposition of cobalt blue water and vibrant red and orange foliage is sure to leave you speechless! Another place we love for leaf peeping in Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. Many people think of Lake Geneva as a place to head to during the height of the summer. But actually, it is a great place to head to during autumn. This is a running theme with Wisconsin parks, in fact – some of the most sought-after summer destinations are pure paradise in the fall!
The OIYS Visitor Center
best fall camping in wisconsin
August 17, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best places for fall foliage viewing in Wisconsin? Call us biased, but we are partial to the Wisconsin Dells – and not just for summer fun! The Waterpark Capital of the World is obviously super fun in the summer, but during the fall, this region of the Badger State takes on a breathtaking, sublime beauty. Even better? While the Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo area tends to be so crowded during summer with all of the tourists, you can beat the tourist trap and come during the fall. One of our favorite spots in the region is Devil’s Lake State Park, a place that will look even more magnificent with the changing foliage. It’s also so much nicer to hike when it’s not so sticky and hot. Since you won’t be heading to the water parks (or at least you will go to the indoor ones), it gives you a chance to explore other attractions such as the great dining opportunities, including several charming fall festivals. Another Door Country favorite that’s known for beautiful fall foliage is Peninsula State Park; the juxtaposition of cobalt blue water and vibrant red and orange foliage is sure to leave you speechless! Another place we love for leaf peeping in Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. Many people think of Lake Geneva as a place to head to during the height of the summer. But actually, it is a great place to head to during autumn. This is a running theme with Wisconsin parks, in fact – some of the most sought-after summer destinations are pure paradise in the fall!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Call us biased, but we are partial to the Wisconsin Dells – and not just for summer fun! The Waterpark Capital of the World is obviously super fun in the summer, but during the fall, this region of the Badger State takes on a breathtaking, sublime beauty. Even better? While the Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo area tends to be so crowded during summer with all of the tourists, you can beat the tourist trap and come during the fall. One of our favorite spots in the region is Devil’s Lake State Park, a place that will look even more magnificent with the changing foliage. It’s also so much nicer to hike when it’s not so sticky and hot. Since you won’t be heading to the water parks (or at least you will go to the indoor ones), it gives you a chance to explore other attractions such as the great dining opportunities, including several charming fall festivals. Another Door Country favorite that’s known for beautiful fall foliage is Peninsula State Park; the juxtaposition of cobalt blue water and vibrant red and orange foliage is sure to leave you speechless!
Another place we love for leaf peeping in Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. Many people think of Lake Geneva as a place to head to during the height of the summer. But actually, it is a great place to head to during autumn. This is a running theme with Wisconsin parks, in fact – some of the most sought-after summer destinations are pure paradise in the fall!
