ST. PAUL, Minn. - Fall can be fleeting in Minnesota but there are plenty of resources out there to help you take advantage of the state's most colorful time of the year.
"We want people to get out there and explore Minnesota now," said John Edman, Explore Minnesota director.
Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism promotion office, is teaming up with Minnesota State Parks and Trails to highlight the state's fall color season.
You can keep track of the changing colors through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Fall Color Finder. It will be updated every Thursday, starting this week through the end of October.
Pops of color are already showing up in northwestern Minnesota. According to the DNR, colors typically show along the northern border in early to mid-September and then spread southward through October. Colors typically peak in the Twin Cities between late September and mid-October.
Peak fall colors typically last about two weeks.
"We can expect great fall color almost every year," said Val Cervenka with the DNR Forestry Division. "This year we've had lots of moisture in most parts of the state so I think we're on board to have a great fall color year."
Cervenka said if we don't get any rain, and things become dry statewide, that could stall the color change.
"Tourism is an important industry for the state of Minnesota. It's a $15 billion industry. That's a lot of money," said Edman, adding that the fall season alone accounts for 25 percent of overall travel expenditures.
He went on to say, "It's a short season but it does have a huge contribution to our economy."
If you're looking for ways to enjoy the fall colors, Explore Minnesota and the DNR list several recommendations online.
Explore Minnesota's recommendations include a list of Rainbow Routes: 10 Fall Color Drives, as well as Five Great Trails for Fall Biking.
There are also activities and events going on to coincide with the fall colors.
People are encouraged to share their fall color photos on social media using the hashtag #OnlyinMN and #JustAddNature.
"This is the best time to travel in Minnesota," Edman said.