Peak color runs late September through mid-October out here. Five drives that start within two hours of our lot — and the vehicle to take on each.
Western Wisconsin doesn't have to work hard to earn a fall color reputation — the sandstone bluffs, river valleys, and hardwood ridges around Black River Falls do it every year. Most seasons the show starts in late September and peaks in the first two weeks of October, river valleys holding on a little longer.
Here are five drives we'd send anyone on, closest first.
Couple, camera, thermos: an intermediate car ($55/day local) is all you need for the paved routes — and the cheapest seat for the show.
Forest roads and overlook pull-offs: the Ford Edge SUV or AWD Subaru Outback (from $80/day) rides taller — a real advantage for sightlines over the guardrails — and shrugs off the gravel spurs in the state forest.
Three generations and a picnic: the 7-passenger minivan ($78/day + $0.10/mile) takes grandparents, kids, folding chairs, and the cooler — everyone looking at the same trees at the same time.
Black River State Forest and Mill Bluff days stay well inside the local tier (100 miles/day on cars and SUVs). The river-road and Kickapoo drives run 120–200 miles — take the unlimited daily tier ($75 intermediate / $85 full-size / $100 SUV) and chase every spur road that looks promising, because the best overlook is always one more turn away.
Planning a full color week — a cabin stay with day drives? Rentals of 7+ days include unlimited mileage automatically; the minivan runs $450/week, cars from $450/week unlimited.
Fall color season overlaps wedding season and hunting-camp setup, and October Saturdays quietly become some of the busiest non-holiday days of the fall. A week or two of lead time is usually enough — but for a peak-color Saturday, call as soon as the forecast firms up.
Call or text 715-396-1466 with your date and route. First rental? The first-timer's guide covers what to bring.
Late September through mid-October most years, with river valleys holding color longest. Exact timing shifts with the weather.
Black River State Forest (minutes away), Mill Bluff (~35 min), the Great River Road at Trempealeau (~50 min), and the Kickapoo Valley (~75 min).
Intermediate car for paved routes; the Edge SUV or AWD Outback for forest roads and taller sightlines; the minivan for a full family outing.
Local tier covers the state forest and Mill Bluff; river-road and Kickapoo loops run 120–200 miles, so take unlimited daily.
The same trip-matching logic, applied to the summer destinations.
What the SUV class gets you — the natural fall-drive upgrade.
Turning the color drive into a fall camping weekend.
Line up your color-season vehicle before the October weekends fill.
Call 715-396-1466