Covering the Land of Lincoln

Looking to see fall colors in the Rockford area? Here are some of the best places

The second full week in October is expected to be the peak time for viewing fall foliage in the northern third of Illinois, according to the Illinois Office of Tourism’s 2022 Fall Color Report.

Cool air and ample summer rainfall followed by cooler, drier falls are the perfect conditions to set up the magnificent yellows, reds and oranges associated with autumn, according to AccuWeather long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok.

Peak times for gazing at the fall foliage will be late October in the central and southern parts of the state, according to the Fall Color Report.

So where are the best places to view fall colors in the Rockford region?

Here are some suggestions:

Klehm Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford

Klehm is 155 acres of woodlands and botanical gardens, making it the largest public garden in Winnebago County. This includes 1.4 miles of paved handicapped-accessible paths and approximately three miles of wooden trails which are perfect for viewing the fall colors.

Rock River Recreation path is seen on Friday, Oct.  7, 2022, at Rockford.

Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford

Taking a stroll through the wooded areas of Rockford’s oldest park is a must do during autumn. The trees in the park and on Sinnissippi Golf Course are breathtaking.

Fall foliage colors surround an arched bridge at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, a place that aims to inspire calm and tranquility.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

The internationally renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens bill themselves as a beautiful outdoor setting that inspires the mind and energizes the soul. The gardens’ 12-acre landscape of streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds has been rated one of North America’s highest quality Japanese gardens for more than a decade.

Rock Cut State Park, Loves 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.

Sugar River Forest Preserve, 10127 Forest Preserve Road, Durand

Nestled among beautiful woods and prairie on the banks of the Sugar River, Sugar River Forest Preserve 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.

Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve, Cherry Valley

The 317-acre Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve 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 yellows, reds and oranges of the season.

Lowden State Park, Oregon

Autumn is the perfect time to renew acquaintances with Chief Black Hawk, the 50-foot, concrete-reinforced statue that honors all Native Americans and overlooks the Rock River. Lowden State Park is a prime location to view the fall colors in Ogle County.

Oakdale Nature Preserve, Stephenson County

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, nature photography and more.

Spencer Conservation Area, Belvidere

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.

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Connect with him at 815-987-1391, [email protected] or @DeCosterKen.

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