Fall Foliage on the Upper Mississippi
Red and gold bluffs, misty mornings and harvest-time river towns.
Get Upper Mississippi QuotesA Fall Foliage Mississippi River Cruise
The bluffs of the Upper Mississippi are covered in oak, maple, birch and sumac, and each autumn they turn red, orange and gold above the water. A fall foliage Mississippi river cruise puts you right in the middle of that color, with the river doubling it in reflection on calm mornings.
The most dramatic scenery runs between the Quad Cities and the Twin Cities, where the valley is narrowest and the bluffs rise highest. Lake Pepin, a wide natural lake in the river below Red Wing, is a favorite stretch.
Timing Your Trip
No one can promise peak color on a given date, so we suggest choosing a departure in late September or the first half of October and enjoying whatever the season delivers. The color travels down the valley over several weeks, which means a weeklong cruise often sees several stages of it.
Harvest season adds to the scene: apple orchards near the river towns, pumpkin stands and farmers’ markets. Early mornings can bring mist on the water.
Getting the Best Views
- Sit on the side facing the higher bluffs; ask the crew which bank has the best stretch that day.
- Take a bluff-top excursion at La Crosse, Red Wing or Winona for the view down onto the river.
- Keep binoculars handy for migrating eagles, pelicans and waterfowl.
- Bring a polarizing filter or sunglasses to cut glare and deepen the colors in photos.
The autumn departures fill quickly. Sign up for the Mister Cruise river-deals newsletter to hear when new dates open, and see our 2027 sailings page for the schedule.
Wildlife of the Autumn River
Autumn is migration season on the Mississippi Flyway, one of the main routes birds follow between Canada and the Gulf. American white pelicans gather on sandbars in big white rafts, tundra swans and ducks pass through the backwaters later in the season, and bald eagles patrol the bluffs. Onboard naturalists on some sailings point them out, and a pair of binoculars at the rail is the best gear you can bring.
Shore days have their own seasonal flavor: apple orchards and cider near La Crosse and Red Wing, fall festivals in the river towns, and crisp walking weather for bluff-top trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall color on the Upper Mississippi?
It varies each year with weather, and it moves from north to south. As a rough guide, the northern bluffs color first, often from late September, and the southern stretches later into October.
Do fall foliage cruises cost more?
Autumn departures are the most in demand, so the best cabins go first. Ask our cruise advisors to compare a late-summer date as well.
What should I pack for an autumn cruise?
Layers. Mornings on deck can be cold even when afternoons are mild, so bring a warm jacket, a hat and comfortable shoes for bluff walks.
Plan a Fall Color Cruise
Tell us your preferred weeks. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find autumn Upper Mississippi sailings with space and send free quotes.
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