Your Middleton Fall Color Guide

Everything you need to know to start planning your fall trip to Middleton.

Modified January 8, 2025

Days filled with crisp, cool weather and beautiful orange and yellow scenery are right around the corner. Home to scenic parks and natural areas, an accessible trail system, and plenty of incredible outdoor recreational options, Middleton offers the perfect fall getaway. Here’s a guide to help you find and enjoy the best fall color this season.

How to catch fall color

In southern Wisconsin, fall color usually peaks mid-to-late October, so check regularly for the latest conditions (as of Oct. 23, Dane County is at 80 precent). Stay up to date on the changing colors with the Fall Color Report. 

Fall color hotspots

Middleton is home to beautiful parks and trails that are perfect places to take in southern Wisconsin’s fall color show. Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a 682-acre protected area with a rich mix of woodlands, restored prairie and marshlands. The trails here are beautifully maintained for biking and hiking; most are ADA-accessible and allow you to bring along your four-legged family members (check the signage beforehand and keep all dogs on a leash, please!). Bird-watchers, runners and photographers also enjoy the conservancy. Several parking lots surrounding the park make accessibility to the trails easy.

Tiedeman Pond Conservancy Area is the ultimate spot to take in the beauty of fall. Here, you’ll find a restored wetland and the 25-acre Tiedeman’s pond, a welcoming destination for birds in fall. A 1-mile peaceful, scenic trail wraps around the pond and includes boardwalk sections.

Here are some additional fall color hotspots in and around Middleton:
a man and a woman standing next to each other
Plan an outdoor picnic

Fall can bring some lovely days to Middleton. Grab some delicious food and head to one of the city’s many parks, visit the expansive Pheasant Branch Conservancy, or find a picnic table at Stone Horse Green or the Terrace Avenue Pavilion downtown. Check out more information on packing a picnic in Middleton here.

Bike around Middleton

Enjoy Middleton’s nationally-recognized community trail system. Whether you head out on a trail to Madison, Devil’s Lake or just through the conservancy and the city, you’ll glide through canopies of fantastic foliage. The Middleton Bike Park offers five miles of single-track trails with great scenic views. While you're there, check out their paved pump track that just opened in the Spring of 2024.

 

a man riding a bike down a dirt road
Play a round at Pleasant View Golf Course

Here, you’ll find a stunning panoramic view of Madison, with the chance to check out 27 holes of championship golf across three nine-hole courses, plus a par-3, executive 9-hole course. Lined with gorgeous trees, the fall foliage is fabulous here.

Relax on the water

Lake Mendota is the perfect place to take in 360-degree views of fall colors. At sunrise or sunset, marvel at the sky’s hues of orange and pink as they reflect off the water as you glide through in your kayak, canoe or boat. Residents and visitors can drop their boats into the water at Marshall Park- and through September rent kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, mega paddle boards, tandem kayaks, canoes, and pontoon boats from Marshall Boats.

Two people stand up paddle boarding in the water at sunset.
Find a place to play

Middleton’s fall colors are also a good backdrop for your outdoor activities. Bring your pup for some playtime at MRD Dog Exercise Area, let the kids burn off some energy at one of Middleton’s more than 30 parks and natural areas, or cast a fishing rod from Lakeview Park’s ADA-accessible pier; all fishing must be catch and release. There’s a place for everyone in the family to enjoy fall in Middleton; find more recreation options here.

Lodging

Thinking of staying over? Middleton has nine hotels, from pet-friendly to those with pools and kitchenettes. Check out more here.

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