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If you are looking to experience Fall in Michigan, then you’ll want to take a look at this list!

Michigan is one of my favorite states in the Midwest to visit, and growing up with Ohio’s spectacular autumns, I know the Midwest has some beautiful Fall foliage.

The fall foliage in Michigan does not disappoint. And Michigan offers so many fun things to do in fall.

There are some really beautiful state and national parks, small towns, and cities where you can experience peak fall colors in Michigan.

The best time to see peak Michigan Fall colors is between mid-September through the end of October.

Now, let us take a look at the 12 best places to experience Michigan in the Fall.

Brilliant autumn colors along a roadway fall in Michigan

12 Best Places To Experience Fall In Michigan

Hiawatha National Forest

You definitely need to experience the Fall colors in Michigan at Hiawatha National Forest.

This national forest is located in Manistique which is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is one of the coolest national parks in the Midwest.

Hiawatha National Forest is over 890,000 acres of pristine untouched Michigan forest land.

That means that during the peak season, the entire acreage is bursting with Fall colors.

It is also nestled along three of the five Great Lakes.

You can admire the fall foliage from the shores of Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan.

The fall leaves against the blue waters of the Great Lakes makes for a beautiful view.

Autumn landscape with mirrored reflections on lake during fall in Michigan.

Bond Falls Is A Great Way To Experience Fall In Michigan

If you are looking for a Michigan weekend getaway in the fall, then consider heading to Bond Falls!

If you like waterfalls, then Bond Falls is a beautiful way to see fall colors in Michigan.

Bond Falls is a fairly popular waterfall in southern Ontonagon County, and are in the middle of the Ontonagon River.

The falls have several large rock formations that make them ripple over small cascades before dropping about 50 feet.

One of the best things about Bond Falls is that you don’t have to hike for a very long time to admire them.

There is actually a parking area near the top of the falls where you’ll also find a picnic area.

So pack a lunch and head to Bond Falls for stunning views of Michigan in the Fall. It is a very cool fall activity!

A large waterfall with cascading falls over several large rock formations in the river. You can see the river flowing to the rocks in the background. The river and falls are surrounded by trees with yellow, orange, red, and green leaves. There are some dead leaves on the rocks in the waterfall.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the best National Parks in Michigan, especially in the fall.

For admiring peak fall colors in Michigan, you can’t go wrong with exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

It is one of the best places to visit in the fall if you would like to enjoy some outdoor adventure while you admire the MI Fall colors.

You can enjoy some of the best hiking in Michigan along with biking, and watersports at the park.

The National Lakeshore is also home to the Au Sable Lighthouse, which is one of the coolest lighthouses in Michigan.

It is a really unique way to enjoy Michigan in the Fall.

A view looking down the shore of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The rock formations look chalky and dry and white, cream, and grey in color. The water is very blue with small waves in the lake. On top of the rock formations there are lots of trees with yellow, orange, and red leaves. Some trees have no leaves or a some have green leaves. Its a beautiful view of Fall in Michigan

Fall In Michigan Is Beautiful In Detroit

If you are looking for a Michigan weekend getaway in the fall, then consider heading to Detroit.

Detroit is a vibrant Midwest city in Michigan that is full of things to do and plenty of ways to admire fall foliage.

The best way to see Detroit’s Fall foliage is to explore one of the many parks.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a beautiful park and garden where you can walk around and admire the Fall leaves.

You can also check out the tropical plants in the conservatory buildings and warm up a bit.

Other popular parks in Detroit where you can admire the leaves are Lafayette Greens and Belle Isle Nature Center.

There are so many things to do in Detroit, so don’t pass it up!

If you love the city but want to enjoy MI Fall colors, then Detroit is the place for you.

A view under willow branches with yellow and orange leaves. You can see a small pond and across the pond a conservatory structure with domed glass ceilings. The sky is very blue and there are fluffy clouds.

Some Of The Best Fall Colors In Michigan Are In Traverse City

There are so many things to do in Traverse City that are perfect for outdoor lovers who want to admire Michigan’s Fall foliage.

Nearby the city is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore which is a beautiful place where you can get a glimpse of those MI fall colors.

If you are looking for activities to do while you admire the autumn colors, Traverse City has tons of those.

You can go hiking, biking, and there are even watersports nearby.

The area is also known for having some of the best wineries in Michigan..

Take a wine tour and enjoy wine tastings while you enjoy Michigan’s fall foliage.

There is so much to do in Traverse City while you admire the fall leaves which makes it a more unique place to see fall foliage in Michigan.

The view of a bend in the river near Traverse City Michigan. The river bank is covered in trees and rocks. The trees have red, orange, and some yellow leaves. There are also shrubs that still have green leaves on them.

The Frederick Meijer Gardens In Grand Rapids For Fall In Michigan

If you are looking for a more unique Fall in Michigan experience, head to Grand Rapids.

There are so many things to do in Grand Rapids. It is a beautiful city that is most known for the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculptural Park.

The gardens have acres of outdoor gardens, five indoor gardens, and several walking trails to view the colors of autumn.

The outdoor gardens are designed seasonally, so they are especially beautiful during the fall.

You’ll be able to stroll in some beautifully designed gardens while you also admire the Michigan fall colors on the trees surrounding the gardens.

There are also miles of walking trails that you can enjoy.

As you stroll on the nature trails, admiring the fall leaves, you’ll see natural wetlands, small ponds, and even bird-watching sites.

You can also enjoy a nice meal after hours spent strolling through the gardens and trails at one of the restaurants in Grand Rapids. Or even enjoy a picnic.

Its a super fun and unique way to enjoy MI Fall colors.

The view of a large willow tree across a small pond in a park in Grand Rapids Michigan. The willow trees has yellow, orange, and light green leaves. Behind it you can see a sprawling green space with trees with yellow and orange leaves.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula you can find Tahquamenon Falls State Park, with one of the best waterfalls in Michigan and lots of fall leaf colors.

This is one of the prettiest state parks in Michigan, and home to two waterfalls, the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls.

Bordering on Lake Superior, the park is over 50,000 acres of wild lands that is perfect if you are looking to get away from it all.

This makes it the perfect place to experience MI Fall colors.

All of the falls themselves are surrounded by trees.

So in the Fall, you’ll get to enjoy a riot of red, orange, and yellow leaves while the third voluminous waterfall east of the Mississippi River rages below the trees.

The falls are pretty easy to get to with a short hike through the woods, but the viewing platform does have about 100 stairs you will need to climb.

A view from the river bank look directly at the Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan. The falls are roaring down the river and are surrounded by trees. The trees have mostly orange and yellow leaves. Some trees have red leaves while others are still very green.

The Covered Road In Houghton County

The Covered Road in Houghton County is a very popular way to experience MI Fall colors.

It is a small dirt road on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is in Michigan’s UP, and a great place to explore in the fall as it is one of the first places in Michigan where the leaves start to turn.

Locally, it is more commonly known as the Covered Road to Freda.

The Covered Road is a narrow dirt road that is well maintained, and absolutely stunning during the Fall months.

Because it’s so narrow though, the road feels completely covered by the tall trees that are lined alongside it.

Along the road, there are a few places where you can pull off and take pictures of the road.

The fully covered area of the road is a few miles in length, and at the end of the road you’ll end up in the small town of Freda.

The famous Covered Road in Houghton County Michigan. It is a winding dirt road surrounded by thick tree cover. The trees have yellow, orange, and red leaves. Further down the road you can just barely make out a cloudy sky. There are dead leaves on the ground and some tall green grass in the distance. Its a beautiful Fall in Michigan view.

Copper Harbor For Beautiful Fall In Michigan Views

While you are on the Keweenaw Peninsula, head up to Copper Harbor.

Copper Harbor boasts some of the best MI Fall colors views in the state, and they’d even say some of the best Fall colors in the country.

The area has a very mixed woodland population, which means there are a bunch of different kinds of trees.

Because there are so many variety of trees, the area is full of red, yellow, and orange leaves during the Fall months.

Copper Harbor is also on Lake Superior, so you get a really stunning view of lakeshores with vibrant leaves in the background.

The area also has its own “Tree Tunnel” which is on US-41 as you come into Copper Harbor.

During peak season, the natural tunnel is bursting with leaves in all different colors and is often described as jaw-dropping.

It’s one of the best places in Michigan to experience fall foliage.

An old building and dock on the shores of a lake. It is foggy out and the sky is a muted blue. Behind the old building and dock is a large patch of trees. The trees have yellow, orange, and red leaves. There are one or two trees with dark green leaves.

Hike The Sugarloaf Mountain To See It Painted In MI Fall Colors

Sugarloaf Mountain is just outside of Marquette Michigan, which is the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula.

There are so many great things to do in Marquette, and visiting here is one not to skip.

You’ll find tons of great things to do there and plenty of Michigan Fall colors too.

But to get the best views, you’ll want to head to Sugarloaf Mountain.

The main trailhead for Sugarloaf Mountain is just a few miles outside of Marquette and very easy to find. It is one of the scenic hiking trails in the Midwest.

Once at the trailhead, there are two main routes you can take.

There is a ‘difficult’ and ‘easy’ route. However, most people have said that the trails are about equal in difficulty, you just have to keep in mind the incline and rocky terrain.

As you hike up the mountain you’ll be under a canopy full of Fall foliage.

Once you get to the top, you’ll get an expansive view of the mountain bursting with Fall colors, which is one of the best views of Michigan in the Fall.

The view of the valley of Sugarloaf Mountain. There are rock formations, and lots of trees. Many of the trees are pine trees, but there are also a lot with fall leaves on them. The leaves are red, orange, and yellow.

Gabbro Falls

If you are looking to experience a more wild waterfall surround by Michigan Fall colors, then head to Gabbro Falls.

Gabbro Falls is in the Upper Peninsula along the Black River Scenic Byway.

The Scenic Byway itself is a great place to admire the fall colors, but the falls are gorgeous this time of year.

To get to the falls, you’ll head on Blackjack Road over a wooden covered bridge and down a gravel road.

It is really set back from the main Scenic Byway, which is part of it’s wild appeal.

You’ll reach a point with old buildings and a small parking lot where you’ll find a few different trail heads.

Each of the trails give you ample opportunity to admire all leaves in Michigan, and they also reach a different part of the falls.

The hike to the falls is fairly short, but you’ll be surrounded by a wild canopy of trees exploding with fall colors.

Its a beautiful place in Michigan to experience fall colors.

So keep that in mind if you are thinking of doing a Michigan road trip to admire the autumn colors.

A large rocky formation and waterfall flowing over the rocky formation. Down the river bank you can see lots of tall trees. Most of the trees have yellow and orange leaves. There are some pine trees as well as trees with no leaves. There is moss and grass growing on the rocks.

Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park

Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park is the perfect place to admire Fall colors in Michigan.

The State Park is over 60,000 acres of nearly untouched Michigan forest land.

That means that during the Fall months, the State Park is full of colored leaves.

Of those 60,000 acres, 35,000 are old-growth forest land.

This old-growth is full of a variety of trees, so you’ll be sure to see red, orange, and yellow leaves whenever you visit.

The State Park is perfect if you want to admire Michigan’s Fall colors while you hike, as there are over 90 miles of trails.

Along those 90 miles of hiking trails, you’ll be surrounded by trees, but you’ll also see streams, rivers, waterfalls, and more. It is one of the coolest places to visit in the fall.

If you’d like to extend your trip in the woods it’s also a great place to go camping in Michigan as it has tons of camping sites available.

Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park is a beautiful place to experience fall colors in Michigan.

Aerial view of brilliant fall foliage in Michigan - reds, oranges, yellow leaves.

Packing List When Experiencing Fall In Michigan

If you are searching, here are some tips on how to pack lightly when packing to experience fall in Michigan.

A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when experiencing Michigan activities in autumn.

It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

If you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.

This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like I have. And wow is it fast!

I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies when seeing all the beautiful Michigan in fall scenery!

Hydration is so important when traveling.

You want to remain hydrated throughout your travels to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels.

You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

When filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the charcoal filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car.

Then this set of collapsible silicone foldable water bottles would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.

You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. then this foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.

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Michigan is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest to explore and admire fall colors.

It is a state full of state and national parks, waterfalls surrounded by fall foliage, and charming cities and towns.

If you are considering a trip in the Midwest to see fall foliage, then you’ll definitely want to consider heading to Michigan.

I hope you enjoyed these awesome places to experience fall in Michigan!

Have you been to any of these places? If not, is there one that caught your eye?

I’d love to hear about your fall vacation in Michigan in the comments!

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Comments

  1. Julie

    In the paragraph about Grand Rapids you mention Frank Meijer Gardens – it is actually called Frederick Meijer Gardens.

    Reply

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