Bloomington's Prettiest Spots for Fall Photos (2024)

Bloomington is ultra-photogenic during any season, but B-Town's beauty reaches an unreal level come fall.Between the fiery rolling hills, the stunning landscaping on the Indiana University campus, and the golden-toned leaves reflecting in our many lakes, Bloomington's fall features are an Instagram dream-come-true. If you're on the hunt for the best fall foliage shotsto share on your social mediawhile you're visiting, we've got you covered.

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Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve

Beanblossom Bottoms is one of Bloomington's best outdoor attractions, and fall is a great time to explore it. The wetland habitat is home to an array of wildflowers, birds, and endangered species. Thefiery fall foliage somehow makes the preserve feel more whimsical than any other season — and it makes for an incredible nature photo.

RELATED CONTENT: Bloomington's Best Outdoor Attractions

Bloomington's UrbanTrails

Bloomington is home to ninepaved trail systems, and four of them connect with one another. Take in Bloomington's breathtaking fall foliage and get some exercise with a walk or bike ride on the B-Line Trail, Bloomington Rail Trail, Clear Creek Trail, or Limestone Greenway — explore them all for the ultimate experience!

Charles C. Deam Wilderness

Another of Bloomington's best outdoor attractions, the Charles C. Deam Wilderness is a nearly 13,000-acre protected area within the Hoosier National Forest. As you may have already gathered, its huge expanse of towering trees makes it one of B-Town's top fall photo destinations. In addition to the beautiful forestry, the Deam is home tothe 110-foot Hickory Ridge Fire Tower, which offers an incredible view of the Hoosier's fall-toned treetops — a view you won't find anywhere else in Monroe County.

RELATED CONTENT: Things to Do at the Hoosier National Forest

Fire Towers

Bloomington's Prettiest Spots for Fall Photos (1)

Monroe County and the surrounding areas are home to four fire towers. Brown County State Park, Hoosier National Forest, McCormick's Creek State Park, and Morgan-Monroe State Park all have their own tower. The towers range from 75-feet to 110-feet high to get to the top. Not only are the unique, climbable towers an adventurous activity, it is also a picturesque one!

RELATED CONTENT: Go Climb a Fire Tower

Fowler Pumpkin Patch

Fowler Pumpkin Patch is your quintessential pumpkin patch, complete witha corn maze, petting zoo, hayrides, u-pick pumpkin patch, and more. One could argue that it's the most fall destination in the area — be sure to check it out for some seasonalfun and great photos.

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Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

Griffy Lakeis a nature preserve and lake that offers a range of outdoor activities, including kayaking,fishing, hiking, andpicnicking. The lake is nestled in a valleysurrounded by beautiful rolling hills full of centuries-old trees. Located just down the street from IU's grounds, it's a bit of a hidden gem that will truly take your breath away the first time you discover it. It's all the more magical during fall while the trees are orange, red, and yellow — you won't want to miss out on this destination for both the experience and the photos.

RELATED CONTENT: Things to Do at Griffy Lake

Indiana University

Indiana University exudes a regal beauty during all seasons of the year, but it stands at its most stunning during fall. The way the limestone architecture and the fall-toned foliage play off one another is truly breathtaking. Be sure to visit the prettiest spots oncampus for the best photos — although just about every square foot of the university's grounds is photo-worthy!

RELATED CONTENT: 48 Hours in Bloomington ThisFall

Leonard Springs Nature Preserve

Leonard Springs is a beautiful nature preserve that features two caves, a spring, and an abundance of forestry —the latter of which,like so many other locations on this list,makes it a gorgeousdestination during fall. Visitors and locals love to capture photos of the aforementioned features, as well asthe wooded staircase on the Leonard Springs Trail.

RELATED CONTENT: A Nature Lover's Guide to Autumnin Bloomington

Monroe Lake

The largest inland lake in Indiana resides inBloomington, and it offers tons of incredible views to share on Instagram — especially during fall. Head to Monroe Lake'sshoreline to capture the fall foliage reflecting in the water, trek through the surrounding Hoosier National Forest for a glimpse at the lake through the autumn-toned trees, or rent a pontoon from a local marina for unique views of the landscape from the lake itself.

RELATED CONTENT: Things to Do at Monroe Lake

Oliver & Butler Wineries

Bloomington is home to two fantastic wineries: Butler Winery and Oliver Winery.Butler Wineryis Indiana's fourth oldest winery, located just 15minutes from the Indiana University campus, andOliver Wineryis one of the nation's most renowned wineries, located just 10 minutes north of IU off of Interstate 69. Both offer whimsical, secret-garden-esque landscaping that's especially magical in the fall.

RELATED CONTENT: Drink Like a Local in Bloomington

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center

The TMBCC is dedicated to fostering,preserving, and sharing theTibetan &Mongolian cultures with the Bloomington community and the United States as a whole. Their grounds offer many beautiful views of colorful cultural architecture, decor, and design that are ultra-stunning when surrounded by the orange, red, and yellow leaves.

RELATED CONTENT: The Ultimate Bloomington Bucket List


Want to see your most Instagrammable fall B-Town photos in one of the galleries above?Post your Bloomington shots on IG using#VisitBtown or tag us at @VisitBtownand you just might find themhere in the future!

Bloomington's Prettiest Spots for Fall Photos (2024)

FAQs

Bloomington's Prettiest Spots for Fall Photos? ›

Areas of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Maine are well ahead of most of the country in terms of foliage. Higher altitude locations usually see leaves change first then the colors usually work down the hills and mountainsides.

Where is the best place to see fall foliage? ›

Areas of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Maine are well ahead of most of the country in terms of foliage. Higher altitude locations usually see leaves change first then the colors usually work down the hills and mountainsides.

What month is fall the prettiest? ›

California. Peak time: Mid- to late October is the best time to view fall color, starting from the higher elevations in the Shasta Cascade region down to the foothills and coast. Foliage Information: Check the USDA website for updates.

Which US state has the prettiest fall? ›

Many states in New England, including Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, are known for their exceptionally beautiful fall colors. Colorado is also considered one of the best states for stunning fall foliage.

What week is best for fall foliage? ›

When Do Fall Leaves Change Color? Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November. Typically, the second and third week of October are the peak times, but it shifts depending on where you live and your local weather conditions.

What state has the prettiest trees in the fall? ›

1. Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina. With over 100 species of trees, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park gives visitors an impressive array of fall colors. The park is home to colorful trees such as sugar maple, scarlet oak, red maple and hickory.

What month should I take fall pictures? ›

For the best chance for color changes should happen at the very end of October. If you want to get your holiday cards out before anyone else, avoid the cold as much as you can, and don't mind green grass in your photos then October is the right month for you!

What color to wear in the fall? ›

Incorporating burgundy into your fall wardrobe adds a touch of refinement and pairs beautifully with neutrals, metallics, or even other fall shades. Mustard yellow is a golden hue that brings a pop of color to your fall attire. It's reminiscent of the changing leaves as they transition from green to gold.

What color nails for fall? ›

Fall nail colors include warm brown, rusty orange, burgundy red, earthy green, ocean blue and many others. Explore our collection!

What is the least scenic state in the US? ›

Kansas is least beautiful state, according to ranking. America is known for breathtaking views. Unfortunately, people who call Kansas and Missouri home will need to travel to see it, at least according to one list.

What is the No 1 beautiful state in USA? ›

1. California

Because it's insanely diverse, charmingly creative, and has it all – from sun-kissed surf beaches and fascinating cities to picturesque vineyards, rugged mountains, soaring redwood forests, and dramatic deserts – California stands atop of my list as the most beautiful state in the US.

Is Indiana pretty in the fall? ›

According to the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction Map, the best time to see fall leaves across the state is between Oct. 23-30. During this period, leaves will be near their peak or at their peak in color. After October, leaves start to pass their peak as the weather turns colder.

What color symbolizes fall? ›

What are fall colors? The colors most associated with fall are orange, red, yellow and brown, inspired by the seasonal changing of leaves' colors as temperatures drop and daylight shrinks.

What colors are cute for fall pictures? ›

My favourite colours for fall are colors like crimson. Aubergine (eggplant), emerald, navies, yellows, and rusty oranges work as well! Especially when they're mixed with neutrals such as greys and creams. Pick up to two colours unless you're an expert, and mix with neutrals for a put together look.

What are the 5 fall colors? ›

From russet browns to earthy blues, and from fresh greens to blazing oranges, the fall color scheme of the year has everything you need to create beautiful accents, subtle backgrounds, striking contrasts, and complementary blends.

What state has the longest fall foliage? ›

Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Maine are known for having the longest fall foliage seasons in the United States, typically from mid-September through October. This is due to their diverse ranges of tree species and northern latitude.

Where is the most beautiful autumn? ›

  • Utrecht, Netherlands. Come autumn, shades of yellow, red and orange embellish the ancient canals of Utrecht. ...
  • Novosibirsk, Russia. ...
  • Ontario, Canada. ...
  • Mount Fuji, Japan. ...
  • Patagonia, Argentina.

Where is the closest place to Florida to see fall foliage? ›

The Florida Panhandle is the best place to start. About an hour west of Tallahassee and north of Bristol sits Torreya State Park, where the stunning colors of fall can be seen on the southernmost section of the Appalachian mountain range.

Where is Texas to see the fall colors? ›

Many claim that Garner State Park is the best spot to see Texas fall colors. Located about two hours east of San Antonio, this popular camping site offers visitors breathtaking views of cypress, oak, mesquite and permission trees boasting stunning shades of red, orange and yellow.

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