Michigan is exceptionally beautiful in autumn! Here is a list of my favorite places to spy fall colors in my home state.
Michigan is a beautiful place to live or visit during any season. But my favorite Michigan season is fall. I love finding fall colors throughout my home state. I especially like to drive Up North for leaf peeping.
Today, I thought I would share a list of some of the best places in Michigan to find fall colors.
Favorite Places to Experience Fall Colors in Michigan
Looking for fall colors in Michigan? Here are my favorite places for autumn leaf peeping.
Special thanks to my mom who provided several pictures for this list!
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
In autumn, Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula cannot be beat. Its impressive fall colors provides a perfect border for pictures of the majestic large waterfall. You need to see it for yourself to truly appreciate it.
RELATED: 13 Awesome Places to Take the Kids in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Boyne Mountain
We love visiting Boyne Mountain in the fall. You can ride a ski lift to the top of the mountain for an amazing bird’s eye view of the surrounding area in all of its fall splendor.
RELATED: Northern Michigan Fall Color Tour
Bayfront Park
I’ll give you two great reasons to visit Bayfront Park in Petoskey this fall. One, the entire place comes alive with fall colors. Two, it features a tree-lined walkway that makes an exceptionally great backdrop for pictures.
RELATED: Free Things To Do in Petoskey, Michigan
Deadman’s Hill Overlook
You can file this overlook’s view under W for WHOA. Deadman’s Hill Overlook near Elmira has what I consider to be THE BEST fall view in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The overlook is a very short walk from the parking area. If you want to get even closer to the autumn foliage, you can also hike the 3-mile Deadman’s Hill Loop Trail. (HINT: Hike the loop trail in a counter-clockwise direction in order to avoid climbing up the steepest incline on this trail.)
Mackinac Island’s Lookout Point
Most people think of summer when they think of Mackinac Island; however, autumn is also a great time to visit Michigan’s most famous island. The hotel rates are more affordable, and you can see some spectacular fall colors there… especially from Lookout Point. You can hike (or bicycle) inland to Lookout Point to catch views of colorful treetops and a massive 75-foot landmark called Sugar Loaf.
Brockway Mountain
Located along Copper Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Brockway Mountain offers quite the scenic drive – ten miles of harbor and forest-top views! It’s a magnificent sight to behold. Especially in fall!
Empire Bluff Trail
Several of my friends have recommended hiking the Empire Bluff Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in fall. So, in recent years, our family decided to check out this trail for ourselves. It did not disappoint. The trail is .75 miles (1.5 miles round trip) through beech and maple trees and ends at a beautiful dune bluff overlook with expansive views of Lake Michigan. It’s definitely worth checking out!
Manistee River Trail
Hiking the Manistee River Trail is a great place to immerse yourself in Michigan’s fall colors. We especially recommend hiking over and around the Little Mac Foot Bridge.
Other Michigan Places To See Fall Colors
And, here are a few other Michigan places that I would like to visit to see fall colors. I haven’t seen these areas in autumn yet but I intend to. I’ve heard that the fall foliage is absolutely breathtaking!
Porcupine Mountains
The Porcupine Mountains (also known as the Porkies) is said to be one of the loveliest places to experience fall colors in Michigan. I can’t wait to see its gorgeous fall views for myself next year. This small group of mountains is located in the northwestern section of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Tunnel of Trees
Northern Michigan is home to the Tunnel of Trees – a 20-mile stretch of M-119 stretching between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. We have driven this beautiful stretch of road many times in the summer, and I would love to experience its grandeur during the peak of fall.
Cut River Bridge
Just a short drive along US-2 from St Ignace will lead you to the Cut River Bridge – one of the most spectacular areas to view fall colors in Michigan!
Where do you go leaf peeping in Michigan?
I told you all of my favorite Michigan places to see fall colors. Where do you like to go leaf peeping?
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We haven’t traveled through Michigan very much in the Fall but it’s on our list now!
You won’t regret it! So much beauty in Michigan during fall’s color season!