The Glow of Autumn in Northern Minnesota

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The magical glow of autumn colors in Northern Minnesota is one of the most beautiful displays of color I have ever seen. Given the fact that we have over 12,000 lakes to choose from in the state, there are plenty of beautiful places to see Minnesota’s fall colors. One of my favorite places to go is about a five-hour drive north of Minneapolis to Ely, one of the launching off points to the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Canoe Area (BWWCA) that borders Canada.

The BWWCA is one of the largest federally protected wilderness areas in the United States with an area of 1.1 million acres of untouched lakes, streams and forests, and is also one of the most pristine wilderness areas I have ever visited. If you are lucky, you may see a bear, wolf or even a moose in the wild and you will always hear the melodic song of the loon, Minnesota’s state bird.

Fall is one of the best times to visit Ely as the light graces the changing colors of the leaves and the deep blue sky is vibrant and pure. The fresh scent of the air or even the smoke of a campfire fills me with warmth and happiness. There is no place I’d rather be than outside hiking in the wilderness taking in the beauty of the changing leaves.

Unfortunately this fall we did not make it up north and instead opted for a visit out east to North Carolina and Virginia. Although we had a fantastic trip with gorgeous weather, we missed the peak colors this year (the leaves peaked about two weeks later than normal given our warm September). It is still beautiful here in Minneapolis yet I am sad to have missed our annual trip up north this fall. To ensure we make it back next fall, we have already reserved our accommodations. In the meantime, I will settle with remembering these lovely photos from our trip last October to Ely.

And the autumn sunsets….

If you go:

Peak color is typically the first week of October but it can be sooner or later depending on the weather. There are plenty of lovely places to stay at in Ely however we prefer to stay at the tiny, family owned Northernair Lodge. We rent our own cabin right on the lake and it is fantastic. There is also the Burnside Lodge which is larger and not far away.

There are tons of great hikes in the area such as Bass and Dry Lakes in the Superior National Forest. Of course many people come to Ely to canoe and camp into the Boundary Waters. You can also take day trips or go kayaking. For kids, we enjoyed visiting the International Wolf Center, the North American Bear Center and the quirky Dorothy Molter Museum. Despite being a tiny town, Ely has some great restaurants too. For more information on visiting Ely, click here.  

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Glow.

42 thoughts on “The Glow of Autumn in Northern Minnesota”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Sounds wonderful! 🌟

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Minnesota is a very beautiful place.

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      So glad you enjoyed the colors! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much! These photos always make me happy as it was that beautiful! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  5. scillagrace – Oregon – I began this blog when I entered my 50th year of life. I have always enjoyed writing and taking photographs. My sister did a profound personal photo project the year she was turning 50, so once again, I followed in her footsteps, taking her idea and doing it my way. My life has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved to Wisconsin, then followed my kids to Oregon. I suppose I have a lot to process, and I'm sure there will be more.
    scillagrace on said:

    Finally went camping in MN for the first time – Chippewa National Forest. Hiked in the Lost Forty (virgin forest overlooked by the original surveyors) and to the Joyce Estate (remains of a Trout Lake private vacation home of the Roaring Twenties). Absolutely gorgeous and absolutely free – good job, Minnesota!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Wonderful! I have not been there myself but sounds like it is worth the visit. By the way, loved your post on the wedding photos. How exciting!!! Beautiful bride and groom!

      Reply ↓
      • scillagrace – Oregon – I began this blog when I entered my 50th year of life. I have always enjoyed writing and taking photographs. My sister did a profound personal photo project the year she was turning 50, so once again, I followed in her footsteps, taking her idea and doing it my way. My life has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved to Wisconsin, then followed my kids to Oregon. I suppose I have a lot to process, and I'm sure there will be more.
        scillagrace on said:

        Thanks!

  6. Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
    Alison and Don on said:

    Gorgeous! I especially like the first photo.
    Alison

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Alison! How is your fall colors? I bet beautiful!

      Reply ↓
      • Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
        Alison and Don on said:

        Yes, I’ve been drooling over the colours.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Hope you are taking pictures and will post them! 🙂

  7. lexklein – I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be somewhere else. I was the kid who loved camp, vacations, sleepovers, and all forms of transportation. Did my restlessness spring from a love of languages and other cultures? From a fiction fixation and all the places I’ve visited on the pages of a globeful of authors? I think it’s more primordial, though, an innate itch that demands scratching at regular intervals. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …
    lexklein on said:

    I remember your trip last year – such great fall colors, bright waters, and pretty sunsets. I am seeing no fall colors yet down here in Houston and I’m not sure if I will at all! By the time I head northeast for Thanksgiving, I’m sure they’ll all be gone. Like you, I want to guarantee myself a return trip to a place I love to be in autumn, so I’m putting Colorado on my calendar for next October right now!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes it was so outrageously gorgeous! I felt sad to have missed such a peak here. The colors had not even started out east in Virginia or NC. Normally they are lovely in the Shenandoah and they had hardly changed. It was still gorgeous though. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  8. 2summers – Johannesburg, South Africa – I'm a 42-year-old writer/photographer. A few years ago, I abandoned my old life as a suburban Washington D.C. office-dweller and became a bohemian Johannesburg freelancer. I tell stories about my quirky life in Johannesburg and my travels around South Africa and the rest of the world.
    2summers on said:

    Beautiful. This is the first time in there years that I haven’t visited the US at this time if year. I miss it!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I bet you are a bit homesick Heather! 🙂 I’d miss fall too.

      Reply ↓

  9. Pingback: Glow: Lake with tree – What's (in) the picture?

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh my…that is far. you will have to visit. I bet the fall colors are awesome there now. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  10. Wandering Dawgs – Georgia, USA – Happily married 55 years, retired baby boomer, mother of 2, grandmother of 4, traveler, Georgia Bulldog fan, Air Force Brat, avid reader, amateur photographer, gardener, ovarian cancer survivor, blogger. Every day is a gift!
    Wandering Dawgs on said:

    Spectacular photos! We just returned from northeast Georgia and were too early for the peak fall colors. Thanks for sharing these beautiful fall colors!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for sharing. I’d love to check out Georgia. Only driven through or been at the airport in Atlanta. 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh thanks! Yes I love that pic of our dog too! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  12. Pingback: Glow: Lake with tree – What's (in) the picture?

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Debra! 🙂 I love Autumn.

      Reply ↓

  15. I still have fond memories of our time in the Boundary Waters. Love your photos Nicole!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks LuAnn!

      Reply ↓
  16. Dianne – Melbourne – Hello! I'm a highly sensitive person who has discovered the joys of iPhone photography and words 🌹
    Di on said:

    Beautiful words and images Nicole. Glad to see you won’t miss your favorite spot next fall 🍂🍁

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Di! How is London? Would love to hear a blog post!

      Reply ↓
      • Dianne – Melbourne – Hello! I'm a highly sensitive person who has discovered the joys of iPhone photography and words 🌹
        Di on said:

        You’re welcome Nicole, and
        I’ll get around to one soon I’m sure. I’m writing mostly on my new insta page as well as keeping up with family and learning the new way of life here. I found it hard to write long posts.
        I may surprise you one day though…
        Di 💐🙋🏻

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Oh that is right! What is the new IG account name? I know I followed you but it doesn’t pop up in my feed lately…those silly algorithms! I want to pop over and check it out.

  17. thestork245 – Aberhafesp Powys Cymru – Hi, my name is Mick, and I'm 65 years of age. I keep Bees, watch and feed wild birds, record moths and butterflies, spend time observing the comings and goings of our bats as they go about their nocturnal activities. I do my best to encourage wildlife into our garden and provide all it needs to thrive. My reward? Its presence. I enjoy history, and natural history watching countless documentaries on the subjects. I read a lot. The only requirement is that the subject matter interests me. If it does, I read it. I'm not a recluse, far from it; I just enjoy my own company, preferring to be in my self made protective bubble of balance and tranquility. I do like to venture out but preferably on my own terms. Tarot card reading also plays an important role in my day to day life. It intrigues me. All of the above help me to distract from the thorn in my side, my disability.
    thestork245 on said:

    Living on an over populated Island with over 64 million inhabitants, namely England, I find it difficult to comprehend the sheer vastness of your Country. Your writing reminds us that we are all specs of dust in the big scheme of things.
    Thanks for finding these quiet corners for us.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes the world is a vast place indeed. I’m amazed too how big even my own state is! Glad you enjoyed the post.

      Reply ↓
  18. Mandisa Nyamekye – Miami, Florida, USA – A student of Life. Forever seeking. Forever striving to expand my consciousness. Love is my motivation: Love for Providence and all there is; for to Love is to be! Grace, I seek, the unmerited favor of Divine Essence, to strengthen my being as I sojourn in this earthly life.
    myeternalpartner on said:

    There are so many beautiful places on this planet! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you get back to Ely next year.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Me too!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂

      Reply ↓

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