According to the Minnesota Department of Resources fall color map, the leaves in southern Minnesota have been nearing peak color since last weekend and should be reaching the final color stage this week.

In a typical year, in south central Minnesota the best time to travel to see the change in leaves is late September to mid-October, but this year the change in color is a little behind.

In 2022 and 2023 most of southern Minnesota had already reached peak fall colors by Oct. 15 but this year is experiencing a slower change. This could be the result of a drought-free spring. According to the DNR color forecast the best fall colors are usually the result of a growing season with average precipitation.

In New Ulm, some leaves are starting to fall, but it will take a big wind of early snow to knock it all down. With no storms on the horizon, the leaves could remain on the trees for some time.

The peak fall colors arrived a little later than usual, but the city is starting to show a variety of vibrant trees.

There is plenty of color around New Ulm. One of the best places to see it is the German Park Garden. Park and Rec. staff are working to put the garden to bed before winter, but there is plenty of color to be seen. Since the garden is hidden in the pocket of a hillside, it is protected from the wind. Some of the flowers have survived the freeze from last year.

The German Park garden also features many native plantings designed to survive the cold. A bed of purple asters is still thriving.

The trees in South Park and Junior Pioneer Park near the Cottonwood River are reaching an orange and yellow stage.

Many of the trees in Hermann Heights Park have retained green leaves, but some trees near the monument have taken on a deep orange color.

Some of the best fall colors can be found in Minnesota’s State Parks. The DNR website includes an updated index for leaf conditions in every state park, including a slide show of photos taken throughout the season. Flandrau State Park and Fort Ridgely State Park are currently listed at peak fall colors. Minneopa State Park near Mankato has not yet reached peak fall colors but is expected to within the next week.

TThe German-Bohemian Immigrant statue on German Street stands out in stark contrast to the fall foliage in German Park.

Visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.htmlto see the updated list of leaf status in state parks.

The water in the German Park fountain is shut off for the year, but there is still plenty of beautiful fall colors to be seen.