Crisp air, crunchy leaves and maple, birch and oak lighting up the hills above Lake Superior: fall is one of the best times to lace up your boots in the Bayfield area. Whether you want a quick walk from downtown or a half-day adventure to a sweeping overlook, these five hikes put you right in the middle of the color.

1. Big Ravine

You don't even need to leave town for this one. The Big Ravine trail winds through a deep, forested ravine just above downtown Bayfield, with scenic overlooks and a mix of oak, maple, birch, cedar and hemlock that turns into a patchwork of color each fall. Keep an eye out for deer, foxes and plenty of birds along the way.

  • Length: 1.8 to 2.45 miles, depending on your route

  • Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, with some steep ravine sections

  • Trailhead: From downtown, head up 4th Street toward Bayfield School, turn left on Sweeny and park at the baseball field. The trail starts behind the outfield fence. You can also access it off Martin Road.

Trail info from Bayfield Regional Conservancy

 

2. Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island

Make a day of it with a ferry ride to Madeline Island where you can catch the colors on the mainland as make your way to and from the island. Big Bay State Park pairs golden birch and maple stands with Lake Superior's sandstone cliffs. Our pick for fall is the Point Trail, a loop that mixes shoreline views of the cliffs with an inland stretch through the woods. Add the 1.5-mile Boardwalk Trail if you want an easy, flat stroll across the sand spit.

  • Length: Point Trail is a 1.7-mile loop; the park has about 7 miles of trails in all

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate; the Boardwalk Trail is flat and accessible

  • Trailhead: Take the ferry from Bayfield to La Pointe, then drive about 5 miles east on County Highway H to the park. The Point Trail starts near the tip of Big Bay Point. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required.

Wisconsin DNR

 

3. Brownstone Trail

The easiest color walk in town follows an old railroad grade along the lakeshore, with Lake Superior on one side and changing leaves on the other. It links downtown Bayfield to Pikes Bay Marina and Port Superior, including a bypass through a former apple orchard, a fitting fall detour in apple country.

  • Length: 4.2 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Trailhead: South Third Street and Wilson Avenue in downtown Bayfield

  • Good to know: Part of the trail is closed due to shoreline erosion, with a marked detour in place. Check Landmark Conservancy for current conditions, and please stay on the trail, since it crosses private land.

Bayfield Regional Conservancy

 

4. Houghton Falls

Houghton Falls packs a lot into a short walk: hemlock and birch forest, carved sandstone cliffs, a creek that drops into Lake Superior and views of Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands at the end. Fall is a perfect time to see the gold birch against the red rock.

  • Length: About 1.5 miles round trip

  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Trailhead: Drive 8.8 miles south of Bayfield on Highway 13, turn onto Houghton Falls Road and go 0.5 miles to the parking lot on the right. No road parking, and an automatic gate closes the lot in the evening, so check posted hours.

Bayfield Regional Conservancy · Wisconsin DNR

 

5. Siskiwit Falls

Head west to Cornucopia for a series of cascades and rock slides on the Siskiwit River, dropping about 20 feet in all. The best one, a roughly 10-foot slide, is a short walk downstream from the bridge. Pair it with a stop in Cornucopia for lunch and a look at the lake.

  • Length: Less than a quarter mile one way from the bridge to the biggest drop (about half a mile round trip)

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate

  • Trailhead: In Cornucopia, about 20 miles west of Bayfield on Highway 13. Start at the bridge on Siskiwit Falls Road, which connects Highway 13 and County Road C.

Go Waterfalling

 

Plan your fall color getaway

Color near the lake often peaks a bit later than inland, so check the Fall Color Report before you head out. If you’re planning an overnight, explore lodging options, or if it’s a day trip, check for dining options. Pack layers, since Lake Superior breezes can be chilly even on sunny days, and wear sturdy shoes for rocky or muddy stretches.