Your guide on where to eat, stay + play in the B.L.A this season.

We're turning the corner to the most colorful time of year Up North. We've rounded up a list of the best spots to see the fall colors + places to stay + local bars and restaurants to hit to get the most out of the short Fall season. Check it out!

CATCH THE COLORS

Paul M Thiede Fire Tower Park

PEQUOT LAKES, MN | 5230 COUNTY ROAD 11, PEQUOT LAKES, MN

Climb this historic 100 ft fire tower dating back to 1934 for some of the most picturesque views of Pequot Lakes - floods of color for miles make for some epic takeaways from this bird's-eye view. Walk their 3,000 feet of wooded walking trails through the woods before or after. The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with minimal maintenance (i.e. snow plowing) during the winter months. More info on the park here.

Veteran's Trail

JENKINS, MN | CTY RD 16

An easy trail Walking trail and wetland walkway to the island - a 2.6-mile out-and-back wooded trail with wetland overviews, bog boardwalk, and easy elevation!

Miner's Mountain Trail / Crosby Mine Pits

Crosby, MN

The overlook at Miner's Mountain is the tallest point in the Cuyuna recreation area. Choose your view! Walk, hike bike or drive up to the overlook area directly for the highest views. This sits amongst miles of other biking and hiking trails and eight miles of paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and boasts some stunning aerial views of the mine pits and fall foliage.

The artificial lake is a former mining pit in the Cuyuna Range that has since filled with water - a beautiful viewing location!

Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area

IDEAL/CROSSLAKE | CTY RD 16

An easy wildlife viewing trail with a 1.6-mile loop and lots of peel-off routes that link back to the main trail amongst gently rolling wooded trails and marsh overlooks - takes about 35 minutes to complete! A great spot for a leisurely walk to take in nature and wildlife on well-maintained trails and multiple viewing spots. Ski trails open in the winter!

Fritz Loven Park

NISSWA, MN | 7877 RIDGE RD, LAKE SHORE, MN 56468

Family-friendly hiking trails, babbling brooks, and wildlife. This 80-acre park offers a great place for a picnic with a playground, restrooms, and trails for hiking - snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

To find Fritz Loven Park: From Highway 371 in Nisswa, go west on County Road 77 into Lake Shore to Cass County Road 78 at Bar Harbor. Go right on Cass County Road 78 and then right on Ridge Road. Ridge Road will take you right into the parking lot of Fritz Loven Park. More info about the park.

Mount Ski Gull

Nisswa, MN | 9898 County 77 SW, Nisswa, MN 56468

Though known for winter activities, Mount Ski Gull provides an unexpected opportunity for leaf peeping. Take a chairlift ride to the top of the hill, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of the fall foliage!

Pillsbury State Forest

GULL LAKE/LAKE SHORE

Established in 1900, the Pillsbury state forest borders Gull Lake and Lake Shore; it encompasses 25,612 acres of state, county and private land. Heavily forested trails with small lakes, ponds and wildlife. Best for short hiking or horseback!