When it comes to fall color destinations in Wisconsin, Door County and the Northwoods counties usually get all the attention from locals and tourists.

But there are plenty of colorful, leafy reasons to visit Kewaunee County in the next week or two, Public Information Officer & Tourism Coordinator Jennifer Gonzalez said.

A good deal of the county's land is farmland instead of forest, but plenty of wooded areas offer people the chance to view the oranges, reds, yellows and browns of the tree leaves that were green less than a month ago.

And with Travel Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website, estimating peak fall colors to come to Kewaunee County in the second week of October — they're considered 40% of peak as of Sept. 29, and Gonzalez noted there's a good deal of yellows and oranges already overhead — it's time to plan how to find them. That includes those tourists planning a Door County fall colors trip, because they can take a leisurely detour through Kewaunee County to get there.

The dominant scenic feature in the county is the Lake Michigan shoreline, of course, and Gonzalez said Lakeshore Road south of Kewaunee, which runs along the lakeshore, "is great for a drive to see colors." The road can be accessed just south of the city off State 42 in the Town of West Kewaunee or at the intersection of 42 and County G in the Town of Carlton.

Further north, State 42 is closed for road work through the end of October from Greenfield Avenue on the north end of Algoma to County X/County Line Road at the Door County border, but color seekers can head north from Algoma on County S (Lakeview Drive), then pick up County U about three miles outside of the city for another route featuring a blend of Lake Michigan views and turning colors, including several sections where the trees form a canopy over the road. Also, those on their way to Door County can follow County U all the way there — in fact, the more spectacular views will be on that side of the county line — rejoining State 42/57 on the outskirts of Sturgeon Bay.

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For those who want to stop and relax for a little while along the lake, Gonzalez recommended Selner Park, 616 Lake St., Kewaunee, for its perch overlooking the beach and lakefront as well as its colorful trees.

"Selner Park really has some beautiful trees and has some places to picnic," she said.

But the lakeshore isn't the only place to find fall colors in Kewaunee County, Gonzalez said.

"The shoreline is sure to provide some interesting views, but people who venture off the beaten path and into rural routes will discover that the beauty continues inland," Gonzalez said.

A noteworthy inland route for colorful trees is Kewaunee County's only state-designated Rustic Road, recommended not only by Gonzalez but also by Travel Wisconsin. Rustic Road 7 heads south from State 29 on Hrabik Road — about 7 miles west of Kewaunee — to Cherneyville Road, then west to Sleepy Hollow Road, south to Pine Grove Road, then west to County AB, where drivers can head north to get back onto 29. The route is marked by brown signs with yellow writing. 

Besides the views of the trees, the description of the route on the state Department of Transportation website notes it "wanders past the remains of an old lime kiln, travels through glacial deposits and affords views of an old German home, an old flour mill and several picturesque barns." Gonzalez added that it also brings drivers close to Parallel 44 Winery & Vineyard on Sleepy Hollow Road. 

"It's about three and a half miles of fall colors," Gonzalez said. "(Rustic Roads) are a serene, peaceful experience."

Gonzalez also said there are plenty of places in the county to get out of the car or truck to experience the colors. She said county parks generally provide good opportunities, especially Bruemmer Park Zoo, County F and Ellis Street on the west side of Kewaunee, where she said the wooded upper level of the park already is displaying orange leaves.

Gonzalez also recommended heading out on the Ahnapee State Trail, which winds its way through wooded areas, farmlands and meadows from Kewaunee inland to the villages of Luxemburg and Casco, then back to Algoma before heading north into Door County to the south side of Sturgeon Bay. Trailheads are found in each of those communities, and the trail passes through Bruemmer Park and alongside the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers and several other waterways.

Gonzalez said one reason to search for fall colors on the trail, besides the variety of scenery, is the ability to get some fresh air and exercise in the process. The 48 miles of the trail are paved and welcome hikers, bicyclists, skaters and horseback riders.

Plus, she noted it's a different experience to view fall colors close-up and more leaisurely than passing by in one's vehicle.

"I think people kinda forget to hike fall color," Gonzalez said. "It's not just driving fall color. You see things a little bit closer."

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Fall colors: Don't ignore Kewaunee County when it comes to scenic drives and hikes