Exploring Autumn’s Charm: Interesting Fall Road Trips in the Midwest
The Midwest, with its rolling hills, expansive forests, and charming small towns, transforms into a wonderland of color and cozy atmosphere during the fall season. Taking a road trip through the heartland during autumn offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rural charm, and seasonal festivities that can’t be experienced at any other time of year.
Fall in the Midwest means crisp air, colorful foliage, bountiful harvests, and a wealth of seasonal activities that make it an ideal time for exploration.
As the summer heat fades, the weather in the Midwest becomes ideal for outdoor activities and long drives. The changing leaves paint the landscape in a breathtaking array of reds, oranges, and gold, turning ordinary routes into scenic byways.
Fall also brings a bounty of seasonal experiences, from apple picking in abundant orchards to navigating corn mazes and attending harvest festivals. For those seeking a spooky thrill, the Midwest offers numerous Halloween-themed events and haunted attractions.
Whether you’re looking for a short scenic drive or a multi-day adventure, the Midwest has something to offer every fall enthusiast. Here are ten diverse and captivating fall road trips to consider:
- 1. Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin
- 2. Upper Peninsula Color Tour, Michigan
- 3. Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, Ohio
- 4. Great River Road, Minnesota to Illinois
- 5. Brown County, Indiana
- 6. Covered Bridge Scenic Byway, Ohio
- 7. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, Iowa
- 8. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
- 9. Talimena National Scenic Byway, Oklahoma to Arkansas
- 10. Nebraska’s Fossil Freeway, Nebraska
1. Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin
Best time: Late September to mid-October
The Door County Coastal Byway offers a 66-mile loop around the “thumb” of Wisconsin, showcasing the best of fall colors against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. Start in Sturgeon Bay and wind your way through charming coastal towns like Egg Harbor and Fish Creek. Stop at local orchards like Lautenbach’s Orchard Country for apple picking and sample fall treats like cider donuts.
Don’t miss visiting Peninsula State Park, where you can hike or bike through forests ablaze with autumn hues.
For a unique experience, take a ferry to Washington Island and visit the Stavkirke, a Nordic-inspired church surrounded by fall foliage. End your trip with a visit to one of the area’s many pumpkin patches or attend the Sister Bay Fall Fest in mid-October for a true Midwestern autumn experience.
2. Upper Peninsula Color Tour, Michigan
Best time: Late September to early October
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers a vast wilderness perfect for a multi-day fall color tour. Start your journey in Marquette, heading west on US-41. Make your way to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, where the Lake of the Clouds overlook provides a stunning panorama of fall colors. Continue to the Keweenaw Peninsula, stopping at small towns like Houghton and Copper Harbor.
Don’t miss the chance to drive the Brockway Mountain Drive for breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the surrounding forests and on your way back, take US-2 along the lake’s southern shore, stopping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park to see the impressive waterfalls framed by autumn foliage.
Throughout the trip, look for local harvest festivals, and consider timing your visit with the Great Pumpkin Train ride, a West Michigan Family Fall Tradition!
3. Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, Ohio
Best time: Mid to late October
The Hocking Hills region in southeastern Ohio offers a compact but stunning fall drive through rugged, forested terrain. The 26-mile Hocking Hills Scenic Byway takes you through the heart of the area, showcasing dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and dense forests. Start at Hocking Hills State Park, where trails like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave are particularly beautiful when surrounded by fall colors.
As you drive, stop at roadside stands selling local produce and fall decorations. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Hocking Hills Orchard for apple picking or if you’re timing your visit for mid-September, look out for the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival.
For a spooky twist, time your visit with the Haunted Hocking event, which offers ghost tours and haunted history walks through the area’s most scenic locations.
4. Great River Road, Minnesota to Illinois
Best time: Late September to mid-October
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from its source in Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. For a quintessential Midwest fall experience, focus on the northern portion from Minneapolis to the Quad Cities. This multi-day trip takes you through charming river towns, past scenic bluffs, and alongside wildlife refuges.
Start in Minneapolis, making your way south through Red Wing and Winona in Minnesota. Cross into Wisconsin to visit La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, known for their stunning river vistas. Continue into Iowa, stopping at Effigy Mounds National Monument for a hike among ancient Native American burial mounds surrounded by fall foliage.
End your journey in the Quad Cities, timing your visit with their Bald Eagle Days event in October. Along the way, visit local apple orchards, attend Oktoberfest celebrations in La Crosse, and explore the many pumpkin patches and corn mazes that dot the route.
5. Brown County, Indiana
Best time: Mid to late October
Brown County, often called the “Little Smokies” due to its resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, offers a concentrated dose of Midwest fall beauty. Center your trip around the charming artist colony of Nashville, Indiana, using it as a base to explore Brown County State Park. The park’s winding roads offer numerous vistas of rolling hills covered in colorful hardwood forests.
Take a drive along the Brown County Art Colony Loop, stopping at local galleries and craft shops. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Story Inn, a quaint village-turned-inn that hosts the Indiana Wine Fair in early October.
Time your visit with the Brown County Leaf Cam to catch the peak colors, and consider attending the Oktoberfest celebration in nearby Columbus, Indiana, for a festive fall experience complete with German food, music, and beer.
6. Covered Bridge Scenic Byway, Ohio
Best time: Early to mid-October
Ohio’s Covered Bridge Scenic Byway in Vinton County offers a charming 30-mile drive through the state’s least populated county. It showcases beautiful fall foliage and historic covered bridges. Start your journey in Zaleski and go through McArthur. This route also takes you through Wayne National Forest, where you can enjoy hiking trails surrounded by autumn colors.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Lake Hope State Park, where you can rent a canoe to see the fall reflections on the water. Time your visit with the annual Vinton County Air Show in September or the Bob Evans Farm Festival in nearby Rio Grande in October for some local flavor.
For a spooky twist, take a detour to the Moonville Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel said to be haunted, which is particularly atmospheric when surrounded by fall foliage.
7. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, Iowa
Best time: Late September to mid-October
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway offers a unique 220-mile journey through western Iowa’s distinctive landforms, which are especially beautiful in autumn. Start your trip in Sioux City and head south, stopping at overlooks like the Murray Hill Scenic Overlook for panoramic views of the Missouri River Valley painted in fall colors.
Visit Preparation Canyon State Park for hiking trails through forests and prairies and explore the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, where you might spot migrating waterfowl against a backdrop of autumn hues.
Time your visit with one of Iowa’s many incredible fall festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations, and end your journey in Glenwood. The beautiful Southwest Iowa Art Tour in late September is one of our favorites for seeing local artists showcasing their work amidst the fall scenery.
8. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Best time: Mid to late October
While often associated with summer watersports, the Lake of the Ozarks region offers a spectacular fall drive with a mix of water views and forested hills. Start your trip in Camdenton and take the Lake of the Ozarks Scenic Byway, a 98-mile loop around the lake.
Stop at Ha Ha Tonka State Park to see the ruins of a 1900s stone castle surrounded by autumn foliage. Continue to Lake of the Ozarks State Park for hiking trails with beautiful fall vistas.
Don’t miss the chance to take a fall foliage cruise on the lake for a unique perspective on the changing colors. Time your visit with the Lake of the Ozarks Fall Harbor Hop in October, where you can enjoy food and drinks at various waterfront restaurants.
For a Halloween twist, visit the historic Willmore Lodge. In October, it offers spooky night tours that showcase the area’s haunted history against the backdrop of fall colors.
9. Talimena National Scenic Byway, Oklahoma to Arkansas
Best time: Late October to early November
The Talimena National Scenic Byway offers a 54-mile drive through the Ouachita National Forest, straddling the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. While technically starting just outside the Midwest, this drive is a favorite for Midwestern leaf-peepers seeking late-season color. Begin your journey in Talihina, Oklahoma, and wind your way east into Arkansas, stopping at numerous scenic overlooks.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hike in the Ouachita National Forest, where trails like the Ouachita National Recreation Trail offer immersive fall color experiences. Time your visit with the Talimena Fall Festival in October, featuring local crafts, food, and music.
For a unique experience, stay overnight at Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge, perched atop Rich Mountain, offering stunning sunrise and sunset views over the autumn landscape.
10. Nebraska’s Fossil Freeway, Nebraska
Best time: Early to mid-October
For a unique twist on the traditional fall foliage trip, explore Nebraska’s Fossil Freeway. This 200-mile route through the Nebraska Panhandle combines paleontology sites with beautiful prairie fall colors.
Start your journey at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, where short trails showcase the fossil-rich landscape surrounded by golden prairie grasses. Continue along Highway 20 to Toadstool Geologic Park, aptly nicknamed the “Badlands of Nebraska,” where the otherworldly rock formations take on a surreal quality when surrounded by autumn hues.
This route also allows you to explore Chadron State Park, which offers several hiking and horse-riding trails through pine-covered buttes painted in fall colours. For some seasonal fun, time your visit with Fort Robinson State Park’s Haunted Halloween event.
Round out this Nebraska road trip at Scotts Bluff National Monument, where you can drive or hike to the summit for panoramic views of the autumn prairie stretching to the horizon.
More Midwest Inspiration
If you’re seeking out more ways to enjoy the Midwest on a family road trip, you may also like to read:
© Family Road Trip 2025
