Looking for fall color? 5 road trips worth trying in Michigan

Michigan is welcoming the start of fall, and leaves on trees are beginning to change colors in the Upper Peninsula, offering a stunning display to admire on an autumn road trip.

The peak times to admire the fall colors in Michigan vary based on where you are in the state. Generally, peak times range from late September through early November, according to the century-old publication the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Foliage in the western UP has begun changing colors and the change is beginning to spread east across the peninsula, and southward, according to Explore Fall’s Michigan Fall Foliage Map 2026.

In the UP, consider stopping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, or to the west, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park or Copper Peak to enjoy panoramic views of the multi-colored natural display.

The entire state is expected to see leaves begin to change by the first week in October. Leaves across the southern Lower Peninsula will be the last to turn red, orange and yellow, including cities like Lansing, Grand Rapids and metro Detroit.

In the Lower Peninsula, Boyne Mountain’s SkyBridge Michigan in northwest Michigan and M-22, along the Lake Michigan coastline in west Michigan feature beautiful fall color displays.

Trees in the Upper Peninsula are estimated to lose their leaves around late October, according to the Almanac, then leaves in the Lower Peninsula will fall around early November.

Here’s what to know about fall color drives in Michigan.

M-22 offers west Michigan trip through lakeshore towns, colorful trees

Among Michigan’s many backroads, travelers consider M-22 along Lake Michigan’s shoreline among the best. The road winds along the lake and through nearly continuous stands of colorful hardwoods.

The 116-mile stretch of M-22 brings visitors through the peaceful countryside and along the shore, past wineries, galleries and an amazing path of colorful trees.

The state highway winds north along Grand Traverse Bay from Traverse City to Northport, and then turns back south along Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The road then winds south through Frankfort, Arcadia and Onekama before ending north of Manistee.

Be captivated by fall colors at Michigan’s largest waterfall

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is among the most popular state parks for fall colors, with UP trees bracketing the largest waterfall in the state.

The nearly 50,000-acre state park features the 200-foot wide, 48-foot tall upper Tahquamenon Falls, with the five lower falls about 4 miles downstream. The waterfalls are nicknamed the “root beer falls” due to the water’s amber color.

The state park features campgrounds, a boat launch, over 35 miles of trails and a variety of wildlife species.

A new 1,100-foot accessible boardwalk takes visitors to the Upper Falls. The falls have parking within easy walking distance and some natural trails. A bridge above the lower falls allows visitors to access an island in the river without renting a boat.

To visit the state park, you’ll need a Recreation Passport, an annual pass to state parks. You can visit the state park for a day for free with the Michigan Activity Pass through your local library.

See stunning color display in western UP

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park features 60,000 acres of woodlands, with numerous elevated vantage points for hikers to take in the colors, including the Lake of the Clouds overlook and Summit Peak.

The state park features old-growth forest, roaring waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline, rivers, trails and ridges.

You can view Lake of the Clouds surrounded by a backdrop of fall color from a fully-accessible overlook, the Big Carp River Trail or the Escarpment Trail, according to the Porcupine Mountains Ontonagon Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Other sites at the park include a chairlift ride to the top of the Porkies’ ski hill. Additionally, the Summit Peak Trail, a short but steep hike leads to the Summit Peak Observation Tower with views from nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains. The total hike out and back is about 0.8 miles.

Take in fall display from northern Michigan bridge

Take a walk on Boyne Mountain’s SkyBridge Michigan for views of fall colors from 118 feet above Boyne Valley. Boyne Mountain also features live music on weekends, a restaurant and food truck and family-friendly fall activities, according to the website.

To get to the bridge, you’ll take the two-person Hemlock Lift or Mountain Express six-person chairlift to the top of the ski hill, the website says. Known as the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, the bridge sways as you walk across, just above the treetops.

SkyBridge Michigan is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 2, daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 3-9, Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 10-25 and daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 26-29, according to the resort’s website.

Tickets can be purchased online and are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors ages 70 and above, $15 for juniors ages 3 to 10 and $1 for children ages 2 and under.

Enjoy nature’s fall display at western UP peak

Copper Peak, north of Ironwood along M-28 in the western UP, offers an unparalleled view from the top of an 800-foot hill and an 18-story ski jump. The site boasts that visitors can see three states and Canada on a clear day.

At Copper Peak, you can take the Adventure Ride, a chair lift to an 800-foot-tall hilltop and an 18-story elevator to the main observation deck, or climb eight more stories of stairs up to the starting gate for viewing, according to the website.

The Adventure Ride remains open on Sundays only from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT due to construction, according to Copper Peak’s website.

Tickets are available at the gift shop. Adult tickets are $30, seniors ages 65 and above $25, youth ages 5 to 14 $15, children under 5 are free and family tickets for two adults and children are $75, per the website.