Fall colors are ablaze in the Fox Cities. Check out these 5 nature reserves to see peak foliage.

Sophia Voight, Appleton Post-Crescent
·2 min read

Expressive yellows, reds and oranges have erupted across the Fox Cities as the fall colors reached their peak in the area.

Wisconsin's maples, oaks and ash trees are putting on a beautiful show and there's few better places to experience their color than a walk through a nature reserve.

Nature reserves are protected natural areas to promote conservation of native flora and fauna, making them some of the best places in Wisconsin to experience the fall beauty.

Take in the fall colors at one of these five Fox Cities nature reserves before the cold weather and snow roll in.

Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve

A lone hiker moves through the fall colors of Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Grand Chute.
A lone hiker moves through the fall colors of Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Grand Chute.

With two observation towers, Bubolz Nature Preserve, 4815 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton, boasts views of more than 725 acres of forest, including the preserve's bright red sugar maples. Eight miles of trails wind through the property, which features a variety of landscapes from forests and wetlands to prairies and lake views.

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve

The Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha offers wildlife sighting as well as colors.
The Heckrodt Wetland Reserve in Menasha offers wildlife sighting as well as colors.

Menasha's urban nature reserve not only offers a bright mixer of reds and yellows from its maple and ash trees, but also offers an impressive variety of wildlife sighting throughout its four natural habitats. Guests looking to enjoy a fall nature walk can stroll along the looped boardwalks through the wetlands or its four acres of reclaimed prairie.  Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is located at 1305 Plank Road in Menasha.

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1000 Islands Environmental Center

Fall colors are seen at the 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna.
Fall colors are seen at the 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna.

Kaukauna's 1000 Islands conservancy area, 1000 Beaulieu Court, covers 350 acres of forest and wetlands along the Fox River. Explore more than 7 miles of trails through boardwalk wetlands and bluffs along the Fox River. Its environmental center is also hosting a fall colors hike and leaf craft for families at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18.

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Mosquito Hill Nature Center

Mosquito Hill has more than 400 acres outside of New London.
Mosquito Hill has more than 400 acres outside of New London.

Over 440 acres adjacent to the Wolf River offers 4 ½ miles of trails through forests and prairie lands. Hikers can climb Mosquito Hill, one of the highest points in the area, to get a hilltop view of the area's fall colors. The nature center is located at N3880 Rogers Road in New London.

Menasha Conservancy Area

The Menasha Conservancy Area has 50 acres of forests.
The Menasha Conservancy Area has 50 acres of forests.

Menasha Conservancy Area encompasses 50 acres of preserved forests with just over a mile of wood-chip trails. Along with colorful trees, the conservancy area also offers bird watching and wildlife to see along the trail. Located near the intersection of U.S. 10 and State 114, trails are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. through November.

MORE: When Wisconsin fall colors are expected to peak in 2022

MORE: Check out our guide to Halloween events, haunted attractions in the Fox Valley

Sophia Voight can be reached at svoight@postcrescent.com. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_voight.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 5 Fox Cities nature reserves to see fall colors