Fall color guide: 8 ways to experience Minnesota’s autumn in action

The colors were just starting to pop in early fall at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, as seen from a clear kayak from Cuyuna Outfitters. (Lisa Meyers McClintick /For the Minnesota Star Tribune) Paddle: Capture the colors of Cuyuna in a clear kayak Stare into the underwater depths while paddling a clear kayak across Pennington Mine Lake — just don't miss the bright red sumac and golden aspens rising along the steep shore. Available through Cuyuna Outfitters ( cuyunaoutfitters.com ) in Crosby, the custom see-through kayaks offer a different perspective while exploring Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Put fall colors on fast-forward by renting or bringing a mountain bike for 50 miles of rugged trails — or cruise the paved 8-mile Cuyuna Lakes State Trail ( cuyuna.com ).

Fall colors from atop the Aiton Heights Fire Tower in Itasca State Park. (Lisa Meyers McClintick/For the Minnesota Star Tribune) Climb: Tower over the Itasca wilderness in a lookout spire Join the steady flow of folks along the half-mile trail to the Aiton Heights fire tower in Itasca State Park. The 100-foot climb to the top of the tower reveals an above-the-treetops view of more than 32,000 acres of forest south of Bemidji. You may need to wait in line for the first tower, one of five in Minnesota state parks, but the flutter of golden leaves and the adventurous vibe make up for it. Not a fan of heights? Look for fall colors in Minnesota's oldest state park while biking, paddling or picnicking along Lake Itasca, and take the rolling, twisty 10-mile Wilderness Drive ( dnr.state.mn.us ).

The still waters of Quarry Park & Nature Reserve near St. Cloud provide a perfect reflection of autumn. (Lisa Meyers McClintick/For the Minnesota Star Tribune) Reflect: Gaze into a mirror image of color at Quarry Park Anyone who craves the sight of fall colors reflected on a mirror-like surface of calm water can find it in more than 20 quarries dotted across Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park, next to St. Cloud. In addition to the crisp aquatic reflections, there's prairie lined with golden aspens and red oak, intriguing industrial remnants including a towering derrick and an overlook atop a towering hill of discarded granite ( stearnscountymn.gov ).

Fall foliage peaking around Oberg Lake in Tofte, Minn. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Hike: Infinity views of lake and woods at Oberg Mountain Few fall-color hikes in Minnesota are as iconic as Oberg Mountain on the North Shore. It's a 3-mile out-and-back loop off the Superior Hiking Trail (find the parking area on Onion River Road near Tofte). The rugged trail climbs 230 feet through rocky thickets of gold, orange and red. Its nine overlooks include 360-degree views of kaleidoscopic highlands plus Lake Superior, some 900 feet below. Of course, you'll also get a perfect glimpse of Oberg Lake, the Instagram-famous, azure teardrop among the trees.

North Shore Scenic Railroad's Fall Colors Tour. (David Schauer/Visit Duluth) Chug: Explore boreal forest via train, or river valley via Amtrak Borealis North Shore Scenic Railroad is running its all-day First Class Fall Colors Train Tour from Duluth to Two Harbors and back, featuring panoramic views from an exclusive dome car ($95-$110, Sept. 20-Oct. 13, duluthtrains.com) — but sadly, it's completely sold out. Maybe next year, or get on the waitlist for the dome car here .

A better bet for autumn might be Amtrak's new Borealis train service, which charges down the Mississippi River valley, past lake Pepin and into the puffy-treed bluff country of the Driftless Area on its eventual way to Chicago. Departing St. Paul's Union Depot on the Borealis at 11:50 a.m. daily, you have enough time for a 2-hour journey through Red Wing and Winona, Minn., to La Crosse, Wis., before returning home the same day on Amtrak (amtrak.com/borealis-train).