The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Journal file photo: The fall leaf colors should be in full bloom by Sept. 24 around these parts.

By Associated Press

• Latest Stories

  • Job Fair: CNA, TMA, LPN
  • Full-time Laborer
  • Traditional firing
  • Volunteers install new theater seating
  • Minister’s voice goes to new distances

Fall colors coming soon

Published 10:39am Friday, September 7, 2012

The best time to see this year’s bright autumn colors will likely be from about Sept. 24 to Oct. 12, according to Maplewood and Glendalough state park officials. The dry summer weather means the colors will come a little earlier than usual.

The Department of Natural Resources posted its first online fall color report of the season, showing the most advanced color changes, at 10 to 25 percent of peak color, over swaths of northeast, north-central, east-central and south-central Minnesota. The DNR plans to update it by noon every Thursday.

The weekly reports show percentage of color change, peak color projections, flowers and grasses in bloom, and three parks designated “hot picks” of the week. This week’s picks are Buffalo River and Glendalough state parks and Judge C.R. Magney State Park in far northeastern Minnesota.

The DNR also offers fall colors “to go” on a mobile website designed for smart phones and tablets.

Staffers at Minnesota’s state parks and trails have planned a variety of family-oriented special programs and events to coincide with their projected peak color times.