By Sophie Bebeau
Fall sneaks up on Green Bay in the best way. One week the trees are green, and the next they’re on fire with color. Peak color usually shows up around the third week of October, but the change starts a few weeks earlier and sticks around well after, each day adding a new splash to the mix. From riverside trails to quiet parks and scenic overlooks, the whole area lights up in reds, oranges, and golden yellows.
If you’re ready to trade green for gold, this guide is for you. Grab your camera and your favorite flannel. We’ve got over 15 places in the area to catch those perfect fall colors, and a complete map at the end so you can plan out your fall color tour
BAIRD CREEK GREENWAY
This nature corridor winds through a variety of different habitats, offering plenty of room to stretch your legs and breathe in the fall air. You’ll find trails that suit every kind of adventurer—wide, easy paths perfect for a relaxed hike or bike ride, single-track routes for a bit more challenge, and rugged sections with rocks, roots, and the occasional creek crossing.
BARKHAUSEN WATERFOWL PRESERVE
Just north in Suamico, the L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve offers 920 acres of pure, peaceful escape. Long before it became a protected haven, these marshes and forests were home to prehistoric Indigenous tribes who hunted, fished, and camped here. Today, the preserve is alive with waterfowl, wildlife, and plant life, and when autumn arrives, the whole place glows with color. Nine miles of trails wind through wetlands and wooded paths, and the Sensory Woods invites visitors of all abilities to connect with the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.
BAY BEACH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Looking for the perfect place for the fam to enjoy the fall colors? Head over to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary for a fall hike. You’ll enjoy nearly 5 miles of trails, with beautiful ponds and lagoons along the way. Don’t forget to stop at the Observation Building first and grab your bag of corn to feed the ducks and geese!
BROWN COUNTY DOG PARK
If your perfect fall day includes a wagging tail, the Brown County Dog Park is the spot to go. Tucked into a wooded area on Green Bay’s west side, this off-leash park gives pups plenty of room to explore while you soak in the autumn scenery. The park covers about four acres and has separate spaces for big and small dogs, so everyone can romp safely. It’s open from 8:00am to sunset all year long, which means you and your furry sidekick can crunch through the leaves together any day you like.
BROWN COUNTY REFORESTATION CAMP
Tucked right next to the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, the Brown County Reforestation Camp stretches across nearly 1,600 acres of beautiful woodlands and quiet ponds. More than six miles of trails weave through the property, giving hikers, bikers, and horseback riders plenty of ways to take in the fall colors. (You’ll just need to BYOH—bring your own horse—if you’re planning to ride!)
COFRIN MEMORIAL ARBORETUM
The Cofrin Memorial Arboretum at UW-Green Bay is a 290-acre haven for anyone looking to enjoy autumn’s colors in a peaceful setting. With over six miles of trails winding through forests, wetlands, and open fields, it’s the perfect spot for a gentle hike, a bike ride, or some quiet bird-watching. When the leaves change, the arboretum transforms into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and golds.
FONFEREK’S GLEN
Fonferek’s Glen Conservancy Area is one of Brown County’s true hidden treasures. This 75-acre park packs in some jaw-dropping scenery, including a 30-foot waterfall, dramatic dolomite cliffs, and a natural stone arch carved into the Niagara Escarpment. Beyond the rock formations, you’ll find acres of prairie and young woodlands reclaiming what used to be farmland—a perfect backdrop when the leaves start to blaze with color.
FOX RIVER TRAIL
You don’t have to leave the city to get a taste of fall. Spend some time walking, jogging, and or biking on the Fox River trail and taking it all in. The trail starts in Downtown Green Bay and ends on Ott Road just north of Hilbert with plenty of scenic overlooks along the way.
GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN
Each fall, the Botanical Garden transforms into a vibrant fall oasis. Winding paths lead you past carefully designed gardens and quiet wooded trails, each glowing with seasonal shades of gold, red, and orange. It’s an easy place to slow down, take a walk, snap a few photos, or find a quiet bench to simply sit and let the colors do the talking.
HERITAGE HILL
Heritage Hill State Historical Park is where fall colors and history meet. The park offers easy trails that let you wander among vibrant trees and historical sights. You can explore on your own, join a guided walking tour, or hop on a tram for a leisurely ride through the grounds, all while learning a bit about how Green Bay got its start. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy colorful scenery with a side of local history.
MOUNTAIN-BAY STATE TRAIL
The Mountain-Bay State Trail is a favorite for anyone who loves long, scenic rides or hikes. Stretching 83 miles from Rib Mountain to Howard (just outside of Green Bay), it follows the route of an old railroad, offering a smooth, crushed-dust surface perfect for biking, walking, or running. About 13 miles of the trail run through Brown County, winding through forests, fields, and quiet countryside that really shine in the fall.
WEQUIOCK FALLS
Wequiock Falls is a charming little escape tucked along Highway 57, where a ravine cuts through the landscape and exposes the stunning Niagara Escarpment rock formation. The park is perfect for a quiet picnic or a relaxing stroll, with picnic tables, restrooms, and a water spigot on site. History buffs will appreciate the Jean Nicolet monument and the Wisconsin Official Historical Marker at Red Banks, marking the spot where Nicolet landed in 1634 and early settlement began. It’s a small park with a lot to see, especially when fall paints the ravine in brilliant colors.
LOCAL PARKS
Green Bay has no shortage of city- and county-owned parks in the area, and there are several top spots to enjoy the fall colors.
He-Nis-Ra
1900 S Point Road, Green Bay, WI 54313
Josten Park
2280 Town Hall Rd, Green Bay, WI 54311
McAuliffe Park
3100 Sitka St, Green Bay, WI 54311
Neshota Park
5757 Park Rd, Denmark, WI 54208
Pamperin Park
2801 County Road RK, 2801 County Road RK, Green Bay, WI 54303
Sherwood Forest Park
2201 Shady Ln, Ashwaubenon, WI 54313
Voyageur Park
100 William St, De Pere, WI 54115
GET READY FOR YOUR FALL COLOR JOURNEY
Check out the Fall Tour Map below and plan your fall tour!