Wondering when the fall leaves will peak in and around Naperville and where the best spots are to see them? Look no further! We've got the fall foliage map and the details on where to go with your family in and around the Naperville area for a colorful fall adventure during the 2024 fall leaf season.
Where to See the Best Fall Colors in and Around Naperville
Looking for the top places to enjoy peak fall foliage in and around Naperville? Here are the most scenic spots for a day of autumn exploration with kids and your family.
 | Anderson Japanese Garden Gabe Popa's Flickr |
1. Anderson Japanese Gardens
318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107
Anderson Japanese Gardens is a beautiful outdoor setting that inspires the mind and energizes the soul.
Our twelve-acre landscape of streams, waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds has been rated one of North America’s highest-quality Japanese gardens for more than a decade
2. Galena, IL
Galena Illinois
Galena captures so many of the things that make small-town America special in a way you're unlikely to find anywhere else. At its heart is the historic Main Street, with well-preserved 1850s-era brick buildings full of eclectic boutiques and eateries. There are no chain stores or cookie-cutter outlets here.
 | Chicago Botanical Gardens Janet and Phil Flickr |
3. Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
The Chicago Botanic Garden has 385 acres of nature, beauty, and respite to discover. Try one of our seasonal walks, let your kids roll down the hills of the Nature Play Garden, or explore what’s in bloom.
4. Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
Millennium Park is a public park in the Loop community of Chicago, operated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. The park, opened in July 2004, is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park
 | Morton Arboretum Mark Baldwin-Shutterstock |
5. Cantigny Park
1 S.151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
With gardens, a museum, dining options, picnic areas, hiking trails, educational opportunities, and more, Cantigny Park offers something for everyone. Download our map to plan your visit. See the revitalized areas as part of our multi-year effort to ensure Cantigny’s beauty for years.
6. St. James Farm Forest Preserve
2S541 Winfield Road in Warrenville
Starting as a country retreat for the McCormick family, St. James Farm today features buildings and artwork that allow visitors to explore this cultural part of DuPage County's past.
7. Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
Butterfield Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189
The 887-acre Herrick Lake is one of the Forest Preserve District’s most popular preserves. Herrick Lake is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Ecologists have recorded more than 254 types of year-round and migrating wildlife among the preserve’s 470 different types of plants. In the mature upland woods, stately 150-year-old white, red, and bur oaks provide habitat for animals like woodpeckers, squirrels, and owls.
8. Danada Forest Preserve
3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
The 797-acre Danada Forest Preserve features prairies, woods and wetlands. Its scenic rolling terrain offers trails, fishing, and picnicking areas.
4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized tree-focused botanical garden and research center. Its 1,700 acres of beautiful tree-filled landscapes are a place of enjoyment, a vibrant hub for nature education, and a world-renowned center for scientific research on trees and their sustainability.
1825 Short St, Lisle, IL 60532
The Lisle Park District provides a variety of leisure activities for people of all ages throughout the year. Park District facilities include playgrounds, parks, nature trails, tennis, soccer, and basketball courts, ball fields, a fitness center, a golf course, a skate ramp, a water park, picnic areas, and more, totaling 447 acres.
 | Nejdet+Duzen Shutterstock Waterfall Glen |
11. Lyman Woods
901 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tranquil mid-city nature retreat featuring oak forest, marshlands & walking paths on 150 acres.
1717 West 31st Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523
The 90-acre Mayslake features 13 acres of wetlands, 9 acres of lakes and ponds, and a 15-acre savanna and restored prairie.
13. Greene Valley Forest Preserve Scenic Overlook
Greene Road, Naperville, IL 60565
Get a bird’s-eye view of DuPage County and the Chicago skyline from 190 feet above the ground at the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s scenic overlook at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville.
336 Knoch Knolls Rd, Naperville, IL 60565
Visitors are invited to explore the fascinating DuPage River and its branches that teem with life of all kinds. The East Branch and West Branch of the DuPage River join together here at Knoch Knolls Park, creating a unique confluence of water and land. The Nature Center provides a window into the underwater world found right in our community.
15. Waterfall Glen
Northgate Rd, Darien, IL 60561
Waterfall Glen’s prairies, savannas, and oak-maple woodlands contain 740 native plant species, 75 percent of all the plants known to grow naturally in DuPage County. As a result of this rich variety, more than 300 species of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and another 300 invertebrates use the forest preserve either year-round or during their migrations.
 | Garden og the Gods Gabe Popa Flickr |
16. Quad City Botanical Center
2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL,
To beat the summer heat, splash around in the Children's Garden mini-Mississippi River. Then, visit the new Storybook Landscapes exhibit, designed to encourage imagination and exploration. Stroll the outdoor gardens to experience spring blooms in various shapes and colors. Get a taste of the tropics in our Sun Garden, featuring a 14-foot waterfall. Pick up a self-guided Sun Garden tour at Guest Services to learn more about spices, Mesozoic plants, and more.
2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348
Canyons, streams, prairie, and forest combine to delight visitors at Matthiessen State Park. Located in LaSalle County, approximately 4 miles south of Utica, and 3 miles east of Oglesby, Matthiessen is a paradise for those interested in geology, as well as recreation. Visitors can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife.
18. Starved Rock
One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL 61348
Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois! Amazing, seasonal waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. We have 13 miles of trails to explore, and the Illinois River offers fishing, boating, extraordinary views, and great places to relax.
Shawnee National Forest, 50 Hwy 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946
One of the most photographed locations in the state, the Garden of the Gods' scenic beauty is extraordinary. You can hike, camp, nature watch, or picnic in the recreation area. The Observation Trail features unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the God Wilderness. Interpretive signs explain the geological history. The 1/4-mile trail is made of natural sandstone and takes about an hour to walk. It contains short, steep grades and steps; benches are located along the trail, and as a whole, the trail is not tiring. Caution should be used due to the high cliffs in the area.
 | Door County, WI Nejdet+Duzen Shutterstock |
20. Indiana Dunes National Park
1600 N. 25 E. Chesterton, IN 46304
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 15,000 acres.
21. Tunnel of Trees
M-119 Scenic Heritage Route, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Ranked among the most scenic roads in the nation, the Tunnel of Trees is especially breathtaking in spring when wildflowers carpet the forest floor, creating a Tunnel of Trillium, and during fall color tours with hardwoods aflame in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.
22. Door County
Door County, WI
Welcome to Door County, where 300 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline mean you’re never far from the water and boating, paddling, and water sports are ways of life. Welcome to five sprawling state parks, 19 county parks, dozens of beaches, and thousands of acres of wilderness—all waiting to be explored.
1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033
Located on 435 acres of glorious scenery on the highest elevation in Southeastern Wisconsin, Holy Hill is a destination for those looking to celebrate their faith in a sacred place of peace, beauty and prayer. Under the care of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of Holy Hill, The Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians is open to the public and draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and sightseers annually.
24. Lake Geneva, WI
201 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Visitors travel from near and far to watch the magic of autumn colors in Wisconsin and there’s no better place to watch this natural wonder than the Lake Geneva region. With an abundance of lakes, nature areas, and outdoor recreation spaces, you’ll find room to roam and take in the crisp fall air with every step.
When Will Fall Foliage Peak in and around Naperville?
Thanks to SmokyMountains.com's interactive 2024 Fall Foliage Prediction Map, you can now easily track when leaves will peak in Naperville. This map uses advanced data like temperature, precipitation, and tree types to predict when fall colors will be at their best. Plus, with real-time user reports, you’ll know exactly when and where to take your kids for the most vibrant fall foliage.
The interactive Fall Leaf Map has become a go-to resource for families planning fall adventures. Whether you’re looking for the perfect day to go leaf-peeping in Naperville or planning a family fall weekend getaway, this map will help you time it just right.
Want to know when the leaves will peak near Naperville?
Check out the 2024 Fall Foliage Map from SmokyMountains.com and plan your family adventure today!
You can slide the slider to the right to see the predicted progression of fall.
Plan Your Family’s Fall Adventures in Naperville Now!
With so many family-friendly fall activities in and around Naperville, now is the perfect time to plan your family fall fun in Naperville. Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly hikes, free seasonal events, or the best spots to see peak fall foliage, Naperville has something for everyone. Be sure to check the 2024 Fall Foliage Map to ensure you catch the best colors of the season and our Macaroni KID Naperville Fall Guide for all the local fall events and fun your family won't want to miss!
