9 nearby places to see fall colors this year in the Rockford area
According to the fall prediction map at smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map, the best weeks for fall colors are quickly approaching.
The map points to the weeks of Oct. 16 and 23 as the near peak and peak for fall colors.
And now that we know when, we have figure out where. Where will you go this year to take in the show?
Here are some of the tried and true Rockford, Belvidere and Freeport area places to go to enjoy the change in scenery.
More: Rockford-area apple orchards prepare to open for 2023 fall season
Anderson Japanese Gardens
The internationally renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road in Rockford, is 12 acres of picturesque landscape of streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds making it one of North America’s highest quality Japanese gardens.
Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve
The 317-acre Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve in Cherry Valley is a historic and scenic preserve bisected by the Kishwaukee River. This preserve provides access to the south end of a 2.25-mile paved recreation trail and is a prime place to view the colors of the season.
Klehm Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Klehm, 2715 S. Main St. in Rockford, is 155 acres of woodlands and botanical gardens, the largest public garden in Winnebago County. This includes 1.4 miles of paved handicapped-accessible paths and approximately three miles of wooded trails, perfect for viewing the fall colors.
Lowden State Park
Lowden State Park in Oregon, best known for its 50-foot tall Chief Black Hawk who honors all Native Americans and overlooks the Rock River, is a prime location to view the fall colors in Ogle County.
Oakdale Nature Preserve
Located three miles south of Freeport at 4433 S. Cranes Grove Road, Oakdale Nature Preserve is 133 acres of forest, streams and restored prairie. There are picnic shelters, a nature-based playground and four miles of trails for hiking, biking, jogging, cross-county skiing, bird watching and nature photography.
Rock Cut State Park
Rock Cut offers nearly 3,100 acres of land including hiking trails that provide spectacular fall foliage viewing. Other activities in the park include camping, biking and fishing.
Sinnissippi Park
Located at 1401 N. 2nd St. in Rockford, the city's oldest park is a must during the autumn. The trees in the park and on Sinnissippi Golf Course will take your breath away.
Spencer Conservation Area
Located on Appleton Road in Belvidere, the Spencer Conservation Area borders the Kishwaukee River and has five parking areas, rest rooms, shelters, river and pond fishing, a nature center as well as more than three miles of hiking trails. There's a memorial woodland and an assortment of silver maple, sycamore and willow trees along the river.
Sugar River Forest Preserve
Nestled among beautiful woods and prairie on the banks of the Sugar River, Sugar River Forest Preserve in Durand is billed as one of the most scenic in Winnebago County. The preserve’s 529 acres comprise one of the most serene and unspoiled spots in northern Illinois.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here are 9 places to see fall colors this autumn in Rockford, Illinois
