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| Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, Minn. |
There’s no better way
to experience autumn
to experience autumn
colors in the Albert Lea area than a hike.
The brilliant yellows, oranges and red of maples to the scarlet
and russets of oaks...
the crisp, fresh autumn air and the last warm
rays of sunlight before winter arrives...the
crunch of fallen leaves and acorns beneath your boots...stopping to enjoy a warm mug of apple cider or a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon on the trail.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails around Albert Lea to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.
Myre-Big Island State Park (Albert Lea)
Gold, red and orange maples and chartreuse-colored basswood leaves light up Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea. The leaves usually reach their peak about mid-October on the looping 1.5-mile Big Island Trail. This trail circles the 120-acre wooded island in the middle of Albert Lea Lake. In Albert Lea, take County Road 46 east. Turn right/south onto County Road 38. Park in the lot when the road ends on Big Island.
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Austin)
Autumn leaves abound in the 518-acre hardwood forest at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The 1.8-mile combo of the Yellow and White trails with the connectors between them take you into the heart of the forest. In east Austin, take County Road 61 north. Turn right/east into the nature center. From the parking lot, take the connector southeast past the Rock to the looping Yellow Trail; a connector links the Yellow to the looping White Trail. The loops cross North Branch Dobbins Creek several times.
Ochee Yahola County Park (Northwood, Iowa)
Autumn leaves fill tiny Ochee Yahola County Park. A 0.95-mile round trip jeep trail runs along the park’s east side; the trail can be extended by walking on degraded footpaths and jeep trails winding through the woods. From Albert Lea, take U.S. Hwy. 65 south. Turn right/west onto County Road 1. At the state line, go left/east onto Iowa Hwy. 1 then right/west onto 495th Street. Park off the side of the road at the first jeep trail on the road’s right/north side. Walk the jeep trail north to the end of the woodline.
Rice Lake (Iowa) State Park (Lake Mills, Iowa)
Autumn colors can be enjoyed in the woods surrounding a pretty lake at small Rice Lake State Park. You’ll have to rely on game trails and degraded footpaths through the forest. Colors usually peak in early October. From Albert Lea, take U.S. Hwy. 69 south to Lake Mills, Iowa. On Main Street, turn left/east then go right/south onto 225th Avenue. Take a left/east onto 425th Street then a left/north onto 235th Avenue into the park. Follow paths into the woods east of 235th Avenue.
Rice Lake (Minnesota) State Park (Owatonna)
The glorious autumn colors of maple, oak and aspen can be enjoyed at Rice Lake State Park. The 2.4-mile Hiking Club Trail loops through several such woods and cross meadows featuring bur oak. About half of the trail runs alongside scenic Rice Lake. From Owatonna, take County Road 19/Rose Street east. Turn right/south onto County Road 40 into the park. When the park road splits, go left/southeast and follow it the parking lot at the walk-in and group campsites; follow the turf trail to the trail shelter.
Northwest Nature Park (Waseca)
Walkers can enjoy autumn leaves along pathways at Northwest Nature Park. About 0.75 miles of hiking trails run through the park in three small loops. From downtown Waseca, take Minn. Hwy. 13 north. Turn left/west onto 13th Avenue NW and then left/south onto 12th Avenue NW. Upon arriving at Northwest Park, leave your vehicle parked against the curb and walk west past the playground. At the trail junction, go right/northwest. The loops begin in about 0.13 miles on the trail’s left/west side.
Pihl’s Park (Blue Earth)
Finding woodlands with great autumn leaf displays in the prairie always is a challenge. Among the best places to look for such woodlands are lakes. Such a spot can be found at 20-acre Pihl’s Park. A small woods with a nature trail borders a small portion of Rice Lake with colors peaking in late September through early October. From Blue Earth, take Interstate 90 east. Exit right/south onto Minn. Hwy. 22. Go right-straight/south onto County Road 118. The park entry is on the right/west.
Iron Horse Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (Hayfield)
Finding autumn colors on the prairie can be difficult, but there are a number of small spots, such as Iron Horse Prairie Scientific and Natural Area. The 2.9-mile round trip Iron Horse Trail follows the railroad grades of where two former spurs diverged. Various shrubs and trees have taken root along the former grades; meanwhile, the prairie grasses preserved there turn a beautiful gold color that stands out at sunset. From Hayfield, take Minn. Hwy. 56 south. Turn left/east onto County Road N. The natural area’s entrance is on the right/south in a half-mile. Park on the road shoulder.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails around Albert Lea to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.
Myre-Big Island State Park (Albert Lea)
Gold, red and orange maples and chartreuse-colored basswood leaves light up Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea. The leaves usually reach their peak about mid-October on the looping 1.5-mile Big Island Trail. This trail circles the 120-acre wooded island in the middle of Albert Lea Lake. In Albert Lea, take County Road 46 east. Turn right/south onto County Road 38. Park in the lot when the road ends on Big Island.
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Austin)
Autumn leaves abound in the 518-acre hardwood forest at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The 1.8-mile combo of the Yellow and White trails with the connectors between them take you into the heart of the forest. In east Austin, take County Road 61 north. Turn right/east into the nature center. From the parking lot, take the connector southeast past the Rock to the looping Yellow Trail; a connector links the Yellow to the looping White Trail. The loops cross North Branch Dobbins Creek several times.
Ochee Yahola County Park (Northwood, Iowa)
Autumn leaves fill tiny Ochee Yahola County Park. A 0.95-mile round trip jeep trail runs along the park’s east side; the trail can be extended by walking on degraded footpaths and jeep trails winding through the woods. From Albert Lea, take U.S. Hwy. 65 south. Turn right/west onto County Road 1. At the state line, go left/east onto Iowa Hwy. 1 then right/west onto 495th Street. Park off the side of the road at the first jeep trail on the road’s right/north side. Walk the jeep trail north to the end of the woodline.
Rice Lake (Iowa) State Park (Lake Mills, Iowa)
Autumn colors can be enjoyed in the woods surrounding a pretty lake at small Rice Lake State Park. You’ll have to rely on game trails and degraded footpaths through the forest. Colors usually peak in early October. From Albert Lea, take U.S. Hwy. 69 south to Lake Mills, Iowa. On Main Street, turn left/east then go right/south onto 225th Avenue. Take a left/east onto 425th Street then a left/north onto 235th Avenue into the park. Follow paths into the woods east of 235th Avenue.
Rice Lake (Minnesota) State Park (Owatonna)
The glorious autumn colors of maple, oak and aspen can be enjoyed at Rice Lake State Park. The 2.4-mile Hiking Club Trail loops through several such woods and cross meadows featuring bur oak. About half of the trail runs alongside scenic Rice Lake. From Owatonna, take County Road 19/Rose Street east. Turn right/south onto County Road 40 into the park. When the park road splits, go left/southeast and follow it the parking lot at the walk-in and group campsites; follow the turf trail to the trail shelter.
Northwest Nature Park (Waseca)
Walkers can enjoy autumn leaves along pathways at Northwest Nature Park. About 0.75 miles of hiking trails run through the park in three small loops. From downtown Waseca, take Minn. Hwy. 13 north. Turn left/west onto 13th Avenue NW and then left/south onto 12th Avenue NW. Upon arriving at Northwest Park, leave your vehicle parked against the curb and walk west past the playground. At the trail junction, go right/northwest. The loops begin in about 0.13 miles on the trail’s left/west side.
Pihl’s Park (Blue Earth)
Finding woodlands with great autumn leaf displays in the prairie always is a challenge. Among the best places to look for such woodlands are lakes. Such a spot can be found at 20-acre Pihl’s Park. A small woods with a nature trail borders a small portion of Rice Lake with colors peaking in late September through early October. From Blue Earth, take Interstate 90 east. Exit right/south onto Minn. Hwy. 22. Go right-straight/south onto County Road 118. The park entry is on the right/west.
Iron Horse Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (Hayfield)
Finding autumn colors on the prairie can be difficult, but there are a number of small spots, such as Iron Horse Prairie Scientific and Natural Area. The 2.9-mile round trip Iron Horse Trail follows the railroad grades of where two former spurs diverged. Various shrubs and trees have taken root along the former grades; meanwhile, the prairie grasses preserved there turn a beautiful gold color that stands out at sunset. From Hayfield, take Minn. Hwy. 56 south. Turn left/east onto County Road N. The natural area’s entrance is on the right/south in a half-mile. Park on the road shoulder.
