Autumn’s Coolest Animals: Critters You Might Spot This Fall

In autumn, Wisconsin’s wildlife becomes very active as they prepare for the colder winter months. Many animals can be spotted foraging for food, building up their fat reserves, or making final preparations before snow covers the ground. It’s also a time of incredible migration, with certain species arriving from northern regions and others making their way south.

Whether you’re strolling through colorful forests or biking down a quiet trail, fall is one of the best times to witness these seasonal changes up close. Here are some of the coolest animals to spot during autumn in Wisconsin!

White-Tailed Deer

Wisconsin’s state animal is especially active in the fall. You might see them grazing near fields or cautiously crossing trails, particularly at dawn and dusk. Autumn is also their mating season, so keep your eyes peeled for bucks with impressive antlers!

Red Fox

With their bright orange coats blending into autumn foliage, red foxes are a picture-perfect fall sighting. They tend to be more visible this time of year as they hunt to prepare for the months ahead.

Wild Turkeys

These large birds travel in flocks, scratching through leaves for acorns, seeds, and insects. Their quick movements and group chatter make them easy to spot.

Fun fact: Did you know wild turkeys roost in trees? Make sure to look up!

Sandhill Cranes

Elegant and vocal, sandhill cranes often gather in impressive numbers during fall migration. Their distinctive calls echo across fields and wetlands as they prepare to travel.

Tundra Swans

In autumn, tundra swans arrive from northern breeding grounds to spend the winter in the Midwest. You can see their V-shaped flight formations overhead or watch them rest in lakes and rivers along their migration path.

Monarch Butterflies

Fall marks the start of the incredible monarch butterfly migration. These beautiful butterflies travel thousands of miles to spend their winter in Mexico. Look for flashes of orange and black fluttering through meadows and along sunny forest edges!

Black-Capped Chickadees

These tiny songbirds stay active year-round, but in the fall they can be seen darting from branch to branch, caching seeds to help them make it through the winter. Their cheerful calls are a familiar soundtrack to a crisp autumn day.

Eastern Chipmunks

Chipmunks are in overdrive during autumn, collecting and storing seeds, acorns, and berries for the upcoming winter. You’re sure to hear them rustling in the leaves, but they can be hard to spot with how quickly they dart around.

Where to See Them

If you’re visiting Metropolis Resort, you’re just across the street from Lowes Creek County Park, a scenic haven for Wisconsin wildlife. The walking and biking trails wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands, offering plenty of chances to spot these incredible autumn creatures. Bring your binoculars, keep your eyes and ears open, and enjoy the magic of fall!

Join us in Action City on Friday & Saturday nights in September and October for Fall Fright Nights! Glow-in-the-Park, face painting, scavenger hunts, and more!