Head north, west for the best fall colors this weekend
It's still a little early but portions of Minnesota are starting to turn red and golden.
We're in store for a beautiful fall leaf season, thanks to all that rain and sunshine over the summer, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
This weekend, leaf-peepers will want to head west and north for the best sights, according to the DNR's fall color find map. Here are the agency's top picks:
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Big Stone Lake State Park
For Instagram-worthy photos, check out the Bonanza area as the sun rises or sets.
The DNR also says migratory birds and butterflies are starting to gather, so there should be plenty of sightings of waterfowl on the lake and butterflies throughout the park.
Hayes Lake State Park
This is one place you may want to visit — and fast. Drought conditions appear to be accelerating and cutting short the fall color season in the park, the DNR says. Many of the aspens are already yellow or have started dropping dried leaves.
Bonus: Fewer bugs! The DNR says there are fewer insects out in the park because of the uncommonly dry weather recently.