Top 3 Fall Must-Dos in Chippewa County
When the trees shift to a stunning blend of colors and you can’t take a step without hearing that wonderful *crunch* sound, you know that fall has finally arrived. Nobody does the fall season proud quite like us with our beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods and exciting autumn activities. If you want to experience this season to the fullest, check out our top 3 must-do activities in Chippewa County!
Discover Our Extraordinary Fall Colors
With miles and miles of forest making up our county, you can imagine just how breathtaking the views get when our trees turn shades of red, orange, and yellow for the fall. The best way to see these for yourself is to go on one of our many fall colors driving tours! Check out just a few of the possible drives you could take this fall.
- Chippewa River Tour: As you travel along the Chippewa River, there are a number of different things to see and do. Pass through downtown Chippewa Falls to find historic sights, culinary delights, and local shops. These include: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company & Leinie Lodge, Mason Companies Outlet Store, Irvine Park & Zoo, and even more. Continue your drive north to enjoy the exquisite views of Lake Wissota, the River, and, of course, the fall colors.
- Brunet Island Tour: The Brunet Island Tour takes you past the most awe inspiring views including the Chippewa County Forest, Brunet Island State Park, and the only remaining pulpwood stacker. A section of the trail is part of the Rustic Roads program as designated by the Rustic Road Board.
- Ice Age Tour: Wildlife, trails, and an array of small lakes make up the Ice Age Tour. Take in the fresh air as you travel through the County Forests and the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Interpretive Center. If you would like too stretch your legs, there are a number of different lakes to stop and see, including Cornell Lake and Shattuck Lake.
See below for information on the fall colors. For the full maps of these driving routes and to see 3 additional tours to take, click the button below!
Pick Apples at a Local Orchard
Another fall must is to pick and eat apples from one of many orchards in Chippewa County! All of our orchards are near each other, making it easy to visit them all in just one trip.
To get the true Chippewa County experience, you must visit Dixon’s Apple Orchard and get a taste of the Champagne apple, an apple variety discovered in the 1940s by Fred Dixon. It has a sweet and spicy flavor, making it an excellent ingredient for baking desserts. Dixon’s orchards and wineries are the only place in the entire world to find the Champagne apple, so you won’t want to miss out on giving it a try!
With 30 varieties of apples to choose from, Bushel & A Peck is a great next stop on your orchard trip. Their bakery offers tasty apple products, such as pie, turnover, parfait, and even an apple cider float. This is a stellar spot for families as well, with a 3-acre corn maze that your kids are sure to love.
Just down the road is Connell’s Family Orchard, a family-owned business that was established back in 1858. In addition to many types of delicious apples, Connell’s grows pumpkins, raspberries, blueberries, and plums to pick or purchase. Be sure to go for a wagon ride while you’re there to get a fun tour of the orchard!
The last stop on our tour is the new Family Roots Orchard established in 2024. This is another fantastic family-friendly location, with outdoor mini-golf, a fun tire tunnel, and another calming wagon ride. Pick apples and have a blast at the final stop on your orchard trip!
Check out more agritourism destinations
Sip at a Cozy Winery
Nothing is better than sipping wine on a nice fall day, and lucky for you, there is no shortage of wineries in Chippewa County. Dixon’s Autumn Harvest Winery is a fantastic choice, with a variety of locally-produced wines that are sure to hit the spot. Dixon’s also owns an apple orchard, offering a new wine made from their very own Champagne apples! River Bend Winery is another amazing winery to visit, with a beautiful outdoor patio that leads right to the vineyard. To get the full experience, visit River Bend on the weekend to try award-winning wines while listening to live music. O’Neil Creek Winery is the place to go for specialty and fruit wines, with flavors such as blackberry, elderberry, and even strawberry rhubarb.
For other great options around the county, Wisconsin Veteran Farm LLC & Winery is the place to go in Cornell, with 10% of proceeds going to American Legion, VFW, and charities that support veterans. Lastly is Infinity Beverages Winery in Eau Claire, offering tours and taste tests of their specialty wines and spirits.
