Autumn has officially begun, and as we enter the month of October, we will begin to see more and more fall festivities, holidays, and, of course, the beautiful fall foliage that comes before the North Dakota winter. The leaves have already begun to change colors around the University of North Dakota’s campus and throughout the city of Grand Forks. This is only the beginning of the various reds, yellows, and oranges that will soon take over the trees around campus.
Although it is fun to watch the colors of the leaves around us change, it can also serve as the perfect excuse to get out and go for an adventure to find the best possible locations to view the fall foliage of North Dakota. The leaves will most likely begin to hit peak color for viewing in the next few weeks, so it is important to learn where the best viewing spots are. One way you can do this is by searching for fall foliage maps online that give updates on where and when the leaves are changing.
There are plenty of locations, near and far, that make for the perfect spot to witness this beautiful change in seasons. If you are wanting to see some fall colors without having to go very far, there are plenty of beautiful locations in Grand Forks. The first simple way to view the changing leaves is to take a walk along the Greenway trail that follows the Red River through Grand Forks and into East Grand Forks. This path provides a wonderful opportunity to take in the sights of the Red River, the animals that live near there, and, especially, the changing leaves. Along with the Greenway, Grand Forks has numerous different walking paths and parks, such as Lincoln Park and Sertoma Park, that offer various foliage viewing points.
Just a short 20 mile drive out of the city is Turtle River State Park. This small state park offers numerous trails of varying lengths and difficulty along with short walking paths, picnic areas, and camping. It is the perfect host for fall activities of all kinds, but it is especially nice for foliage viewing as it is filled with tall trees and thick forests.
If you are willing to drive about 100 miles making it a 2-hour long drive, you can find perhaps one of the best fall foliage views in North Dakota. Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area is located just a few miles off of the Canadian border and is considered to be the largest woodland area in the state because it is one of the only portions of the Red River Valley that was left untouched. This of course makes for breathtakingly beautiful views all year round, but especially during the fall when the leaves are changing.
These are just a few of the best ways to view the changing leaves and fully appreciate North Dakota’s colorful foliage this fall. Autumn does not always last long in Grand Forks so taking the time to appreciate the beautiful colors that surround us during this time can be especially important before the inevitable North Dakota winter sets in.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
