Pack up the car and hit the road to discover Fort Wayne, Indiana’s true fall colors. It’s no secret that the Midwest is one of the best destinations to see fall leaves. Plus, Fort Wayne, Indiana offers a budget-friendly destination to experience it all during your Midwest weekend getaway.

Looking to get swept away with the leaves in Northeast Indiana? Plan to enjoy the fall foliage between late September to mid/late October (depending on weather, of course). One of the best ways to do this is through the Fort Wayne Outdoor Pass! Use the free, digital pass to find 20+ trails to hike, bike, and paddle your way through the gorgeous fall colors. 

Enjoy fall in Fort Wayne with a drive, bike ride, or hike in our trails, parks and preserves. While you’re here discover other fun activities including fall festivities, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, and much more! Discover our fall recommendations at www.VisitFortWayne.com/Fall.

Fall skyline looking south

Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Fall Foliage Points of Interest

We invited a few of our friends to share their perspectives on where to find the best fall colors near Fort Wayne, Indiana. Follow this guide or build your own adventure with some of the best spots to see fall foliage in Fort Wayne.

1. Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve

1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

According to ACRES Land Trust, you don’t have to go far to find gold this fall. Local nature preserves are the perfect place to immerse yourself in shades of bright yellow, ruby, garnet, and emerald. No shovel required!

Just north of Fort Wayne, the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve takes on a fantastic yellow-gold glow each autumn. Shagbark hickory leaves dominate the forest landscape here—and in the right places, in the right light or rain, this place truly glows in October. The effect is all the more stunning as you drive through the shifting landscape: from the expanding city, turning off Coldwater, onto Chapman Road, then up the long drive to the ACRES office, perched 80 feet over Cedar Creek on the steep, unexpected ravine.

Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve in Fort Wayne, Indiana

This preserve features approximately two miles of trails on 90 forever-protected acres of land, part of the 1,000-acres-and-growing Cedar Creek Corridor project.

Stop by the ACRES Land Trust headquarters, also located on the preserve, to purchase branded gear, preserve guides, and even become a member. Office hours are typically 9 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday, though the preserve is dawn-to-dusk seven days a week. Happy Trails!

2. Metea County Park and Fox Island

8401 Union Chapel Rd. and 7324 Yohne Rd.

Stop by any of our County Parks, like Metea County Park, a great destination to see a variety of fall colors. Keep an eye out for orange and red maples, deep red oaks, yellow tulip trees, locusts and cottonwoods, large brown sycamore leaves, bright red sumacs and Virginia creeper, sweetgums, and a few remaining ashes with colors.

Make your way to Fox Island, a favorite of photographers. Walk through the woods to experience the trees up close, but for the best view make sure you walk out of the prairie and look back to the forested areas where you can really see the best fall colors. (NOTE: Due to extensive damage from the storms in summer 2022, Fox Island is closed until further notice.)

Recommendations provided by Allen County Parks.

@Matt.Hakey Fort Wayne Trail Fall Photo
Photo by @Matt.Hakey

3. Fort Wayne's Trails

With more than 120 miles of trails in Fort Wayne, there are some great fall bike or hike routes. Plus, many of Fort Wayne’s trails, including the Rivergreenway, travel along Fort Wayne’s riverfront providing beautiful natural river landscapes.

For early fall color change, take the Towpath Trailhead near Eagle Marsh for sunflowers and wetland vistas.

Grab your bike for a ride along the St. Joseph River just past the State Blvd Bridge along to Johnny Appleseed Park. Head to the north trail network from Cook Road to Wallen Road to enjoy Maple Trees in valley areas, which are particularly beautiful in late September to the end of October.

For late fall colors, the Rivergreenway is a great destination, including:

  • The St. Joseph Pathway connecting Shoaff Park and Johnny Appleseed Park
  • The St. Marys Pathway connecting Tillman Park to Swinney Park
  • The Maumee Pathway connecting North Anthony Blvd to Moser Park.


On these paths, you’ll find a variety of trees including Oaks, Ash, Hickories, Sycamores, Cottonwoods, Basswood, and more.

And, don't forget about the Native Trees River Walk located on the Purdue Fort Wayne Campus. As you walk along the St. Joseph River you'll see over 100 tree species native to Indiana.

Recommendations provided by Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation and Fort Wayne Trails.
 
Trees with orange, red, and green leaves on the far side of a pond covered with leaves.Lindenwood Nature Preserve in the Fall / Photo Credit: Stephen Zabrecky
 

4. Lindenwood Nature Preserve

600 Lindenwood Ave. 

For a true hidden gem, located just outside of downtown Fort Wayne sits Lindenwood Nature Preserve. A 110-acre wilderness featuring 4 hiking trails and a reflection pond, Lindenwood Nature Preserve offers great reflecting tree photos, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

5. Fort Wayne Drives

333 S. Clinton Street, the 700-1300 Block of Washington Blvd., and 1400-700 Block of Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne also offers great fall drives if you only have a little time for exploration. Make your way into downtown Fort Wayne via Clinton St. and cross the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge for a spectacular view of the Ash Trees in Headwaters Park lining the road. If you have time, hop out of the car to walk through Headwaters Park and enjoy a nature in an urban destination.

Just west of downtown Fort Wayne is the historic West Central neighborhood featuring beautiful fall colors along Washington Blvd. heading west, and Jefferson Blvd. heading east into downtown Fort Wayne.

There are plenty of other drives in Fort Wayne that offer spectacular views of fall foliage!

MLK Bridge Fall - Fort Wayne, IN

The Best Time to See Fall Foliage in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Of course, the timing and intensity of the fall leaves will depend on the weather. Warm fall days result in brighter colors, and an early freeze could cut the season short. Peak fall foliage most likely occurs early to mid-October says Bob Dispenza, Allen County Parks Park and Education Manager.

Keep in mind the species of trees will also determine what fall colors you can see in Fort Wayne, Indiana. According to Jeff Baxter, Allen County Parks Superintendent, maples are great since they show a wide range of colors including Orange-red Sugar Maples, Glowing Yellow Black Maples, Bright Scarlet Red Maples, and Muted Green Silver Maples. Other varieties include brown or russet Oaks, golden bronze Hickories, bright yellow Birch trees, purple-red Dogwoods, golden yellow Poplars, orange Sassafras, and red Tupelos.

Discover Fort Wayne’s best fall leaves, and enjoy a weekend getaway in the Midwest - VisitFortWayne.com/Fall

*This post was originally published September 2018 and has been updated and reformatted. Last Updated: August 2023