“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile” – William Cullen Bryant
Don’t miss the magic of Fall, be it your local park or a coveted fall color hike in Fall specialist like Potawatomi Woods.
First, let’s get your fall foliage timing anxiety taken care of right away:
When’s the fall color peak for Chicago area?
Second to third week of October typically.
Fall foliage prediction map?
Check out the Illinois-specific Fall colors report here. And view the most followed national Fall Foliage prediction map here.
For those who want the simplicity of a Hobson’s choice, here’s the featured fall color hike of 2025:
Maple Grove at Downers Grove.
Now, here goes an exhaustive compilation of 3 scenic overlooks and 15 of the best fall color hikes around the Chicago area –
Scenic Overlooks
1. Mount Hoy at Blackwell Forest Preserve
Warrenville, South-Western Chicago suburb
Set your GPS here.
A gentle ascend from the parking lot to the Mount Hoy will make you privy to one of the best panoramic fall foliage views around the Chicago area. Blackwell has a ton of other festivities as well, check out the full post here.
Atop Mount Hoy (Dupageforest)
2. Greene Valley Scenic Overlook
Bolingbrook, South-Western Chicago suburb
Set your GPS here.
Lo and Behold, the 190 ft. scenic Greene Valley overlook is not only the highest point in DuPage county area, but the bird’s eye view could also be used to gaze the Chicago skyline from Bolingbrook!
There is no hike or climb needed at all, you park your car right to the top of the overlook.
As we saw on Oct 15, 2022
Gaze Chicago skyline, right from Naperville!
Tip: The overlook is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM from May through Oct. 30.
3. Holy Hill Basilica
Hubertus, Wisconsin
Set your GPS here.
Holy Hill basilica is quite a novelty – a religious shrine perched atop a picturesque hill, drawing thousands of Fall Foliage lovers every year.
Check here to see the live view from the scenic tower.
The majestic view at Holy Hill
Tip: The scenic tower is only open at a specific time. Check the hours here.
Fall Foliage Trails
1. Morton Arboretum
Lisle, South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
There are more than 4000 varieties of trees in Morton; the expansiveness of the arboretum makes it an extremely noteworthy choice for all to wander around and soak in the leafage.
Check out the latest fall color report for the arboretum here.
One of the most photographed trees at Morton, Courtesy: Vikas
If you have not been to Morton, you could pay a visit just for its awe-inspiring Human-Nature exhibitions.
Basilica (Morton)
Tip: Please be aware to buy the timed-entry admission tickets here before heading out to the arboretum.
2. Herrick Lake
South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
The half-mile walk around the lake is my all-time favorite in any season, especially blissful during fall. The hikes cut through much acclaimed Danada-Herrick Regional Trail as well which you could bike.
Herrick’s iconic ‘double’ Fall color with reflection on the lake
Lake Trail (Oct 21, 2023)
Lake Trail in 2023
3. Silver Springs State Park
South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
Nestled around Fox River, Silver Springs State Park brings it on during Fall. The hike around the lake is not-to-be-missed and can result in huge fall in your anxiety levels.
4. Maple Grove
Downers Grove, South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
The eponymous Maple Grove park is an ancient maple forest and shimmers during the Fall season. The main 1.5-mile trail is a great option for those looking for a quick in-and-out with great photo-ops.
A serene sunset, as seen on Oct 28, 2022
A picture perfect creek running through the preserve
5. Deer Grove Forest Preserve
North Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here to navigate the Yellow Trail.
These pictures were all taken in 2023, courtesy of Adam Zawadsky.
6. Fullersburg Woods
Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
Fullersburg offers great wildlife nestled in the urban setting of Oakbrook. Take the most famous Night Heron trail and enjoy the nature’s festivities on the way, especially the Salt Creek Overlook.
I took below pictures in Fall of 2023.
7. Moraine State Park
North-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
Boasting of 2000+ acres of picturesque lakes, marshlands and forests, this glacier-formed park puts up quite a show during Fall season. The trifecta of hiking, biking and fishing attracts thousands of visitors each year.
All these pictures were taken in 2023 (courtesy Adam Zawadsky)
8. Waterfall Glen
South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
Another widely famed fall color hiking and biking spot flocked by people looking for a soothing hike among the opulent foliage. The loop is around 9 miles and boasts of a small waterfall too. It has 3 parking lots – main entrance, Rocky Glen Parking Lot and the one near Lemon temple.
Parking Tip: Rocky Glen Parking Lot is of closest proximity to the waterfall. Note that the parking could be a pain on weekends.
Waterfall Glen on Oct 10, 2020
9. Knoch Knolls
Naperville, South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
A huge hit amount Naperville and near-by residents, Knoch Knolls offers it all – scenic trails, bridge over a river, biking paths, free-for-all 18-hole disc golf course, nature center for kids, ankle deep water and kids playing area.
For fall (or other seasons for that matter), my favorite trail is the dashed walking path running besides the west branch of DuPage river. You just need to take right immediately after the bridge continue going until you hit the converging point. This is about a 2-mile out and back hike.
Check out the full blog here.
The picturesque Knock Knolls bridge (NapervilleParks.org)
The crown of the trees losing their green, Oct 16, 2022
Fall colors before the peak, Oct 16, 2022
10. Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
South-Western Chicago suburb.
Set your GPS here.
The Goodenow Grove provides a perfect vantage point to quench your foliage peeping desire. It boasts of a big wooden bridge on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail which offers a diverse view of the surroundings. The adjoining Plum Creek Nature Center has bird feeders which attract a plethora of birds for the visitors to gaze. Overall, a preserve which is strongly recommended – Fall colors or not.
The iconic bridge serving as a vantage point (Chad Merda)
The very peculiar sculpture park (made of recycled things)
Check this to know more about my earlier visit there.
11. Starved Rock State Park
100 miles, 2-hour drive from Chicago.
One of the most well-known state parks in the Chicago region, this should need no introduction. With 13 miles of trails and close proximity to Naperville, this would be one the best options for a day trip. Looks like the Fall Colors would peak around October 17 weekend this year. Considering the massive crowd Starved Rock draws each year, you gotta watch out.
Fall colors at Starved Rock (Gabe)
12. Matthiessen State Park
100 miles, 2-hour drive from Chicago.
This is a lesser know cousin of Starved Rock with slightly muted footfall since the primary attraction is the waterfall during the summer season (see my summer trip here) and not the fall colors. It has around 6 miles of hikes and exhibits great fall foliage. This might be a preferred option, especially if you are going to take on the Oct 17 weekend crowd (peak time for colors this year).
So, set your GPS here and enjoy.
Fall Colors at Matthiessen (Pete)
Other Notable Mentions
Discover DuPage’s Fall Color Recommendations
West Urban Living Fall Color Ideas
Busse Woods – Highly acclaimed nature preserve in north-western suburbs. Known for its biking trails.
Wright Woods, Chicago – Short scenic hikes, famous for footbridge over Des Plaines River, which links Wright Woods to Half Day Forest Preserve.
Leave a Reply to SomuCancel reply