Peak Color for October 7-13, 2022
Fall color is advancing as autumn secures its place in Michigan—the trees are lit up with bright yellows, oranges and reds all across our state. The air is getting crisper, the days are getting shorter and shorter and the leaves are popping more and more.
Upper Peninsula
The trees along County Road 550 going towards Big Bay in Marquette are popping with bright reds, oranges and yellows. Enjoy a scenic view of the fall colors and Lake Superior from the top of Thomas Rock Overlook, and warm up with drinks and food at the cozy and historic Thunder Bay Inn.
Dickinson County is still in the early stages of fall color. Many maples are in their dazzling golds and reds, but only at about 25 percent. The other trees, such as oaks and aspens are in "fading' green, but certainly not peak. The area will start to see peak here next week (Oct 9-15), but the color is going to last possible two weeks or longer.
The Munising area's maples are at peak color and all the other foliage is following close behind. Pockets of color away from the lake are much closer to peak, if not at peak. Along the shoreline and in town, color is 50% and developing fast!
The area around Pictured Rocks area will be at peak mid-October. The further from Lake Superior the trees' colors turn earlier, and those closer are later. M-94 and H-13 will turn earlier and have excellent color this weekend through mid-October. The trees along H-58 between Munising and Grand Marais are starting to turn and will be vibrant until mid-October.
Lower Peninsula
In Cheboygan County, the maples and oak trees inland from Burt and Mullett lakes are starting to show their colors in shades of red and yellows. Trees around both lakes are starting to change color and should reach their peak within the next two weeks.
In the coming weeks, Oscoda’s Heritage Route 23 is sure to display the eye candy we all crave this time of year. The colors are bursting like a natural firework display. Once they appear they won't last long! Anywhere you travel on the Sunrise coast take a detour off 23 out to the River Road Scenic Byway. Each stop within the Huron-Manistee National Forest will invigorate you for the next. The oaks and maples are showing the brightest yellow, orange and red that star the show. Take a ride the Riverequeen, visit Lumberman's Monument for some logging history, walk the 294 steps at Iargo Springs or stop at Canoer's Memorial and capture the views from the high banks. After all that you will want to top it off at Desi's with a piping hot chocolate and pumpkin-praline cheesecake!
Traverse City is displaying 10-20 percent color currently. It is estimated that the area’s stunning reds, golds and oranges will pop within the next few weeks; but until then, the area only has spotted color. The colors are more vibrant inland and less near the water. If you’re planning to visit the area for leaf peeping, locals recommend you check out the Traverse City fall color blog for the inside scoop.
The fall colors are just starting to pop and scenic trails await in Northwest Michigan’s Charlevoix. If traveling to the area this coming week, visit the area's orchards for tasty treats like pie, u-pick apples and cider. Charlevoix is the starting point for five excellent fall color tour routes among the rolling hills and waterfront vistas.
There is a perfect blend of greens and vibrant colors from the hardwoods in northern Clare County which makes for a spectacular scenic drive. Drive through southern Clare County to snap pictures of the maples and oaks across farm fields being harvested at this time.
If you're traveling in the Mount Pleasant area this coming week, you’ll explore beautiful riverfront, enjoy a fall kayaking the Chippewa River or hike the trails of Deerfield Nature Park to witness the changing fall leaves. You’ll also find color lighting up the area’s 11 golf courses. Make time to visit Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, a local favorite for doughnuts, cider, pumpkin picking and corn mazes.
Colors are just starting to change in the Grand Haven area! If the weather cooperates, the area will be seeing a more dramatic colors for viewing in a couple of weeks. Trees near Lake Michigan will take longer to change colors, but will offer a beautiful option for those who enjoy strolls along the beach on a pretty autumn day.
Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region has seasonal color now along the area's five major rivers, the Saginaw Bay and at a hidden gem Tobico Marsh Nature Preserve—which is one of the largest remaining coastal wetlands in the Great Lakes. The cooler weather means it's time to take your vest or jacket, get outside and soak in the season's beauty found along the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail Network including the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, Chippewa Trail, Saginaw Valley Rail Trail, Bay Zil Rail Trail, the region's riverwalks and more. After all things outdoors, stop into a local coffee shop, brewery, cidery or farm to find your favorite treat of the season.
As you travel the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline of Southwest Michigan, you will start to see about 20 percent of fall color along the area's scenic roads. It's also fall harvest time, so it is the perfect time of year to visit the area. Take home corn stalks, pumpkins, cider, jams, apples and fall vegetables.
Ann Arbor gained the nickname “Tree Town” as a result of its dense woodlands,150+ area parks and tree-lined streets. One of the most talked about stretches for fall color leaf peeping is along West Huron River Drive between downtown and Dexter, a quaint community just west of Ann Arbor. Huron River Drive follows alongside the Huron River and the views are absolutely stunning. Walk or bike along the Border-2-Border Trail for an up-close view of the changing colors.
Taste A Perfect Pour of Michigan Fall Flavor
Just in time for autumn, Pure Michigan in partnership with Short’s Brewing Company proudly released the Pure Michigan Autumn IPA. This one-of-a-kind beer is brewed with 100 percent Michigan grown and harvested ingredients, and is now available to purchase in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee, New Jersey and Colorado.
Signs of the Season
The crunch of a just-picked apple, the giddy rise of a hot-air balloon, the first glimpse of golden leaves from an ascending chairlift—savor the sensations of fall in Michigan.
Spooky Places To Visit This Fall in Michigan
Enjoying the fall season isn’t reserved just for Michigan’s apple orchards and autumnal festivals. We invite you to experience so much more—even a few of our eerie places like ghost towns, cemeteries and ghostly historic attractions.
Events Near this Week's Peak Color
The excitement of Michigan events continues all year long with Pure Michigan. Get the details on upcoming events with this small sampling of fall events happening over the next week and join the fun. Build your next Michigan fall getaway around one of these events.
Sleeper State Park - Harvest Festival
October 7-9, 2022
Caseville
Mont Ripley Fall Color Chairlift Rides
October 7-9, 2022
Hancock
Fall Color Boat Tours with Keweenaw Boat Tours
October 7-16, 2022
Houghton
Fall Pumpkin Fest 2022
October 8-23, 2022
Goodells
A2 Artoberfest
October 8-9, 2022
Ann Arbor
Pumpkin Train
October 8-30, 2022
Coopersville
Maple Row Sugarhouse Color Tour 2022
October 9, 2022
Jones
Dirtwire | Ghostcatcher Tour 2022
October 12, 2022
Ferndale
Halloween Masquerade on the Square
October 13, 2022
Berrien Springs
Art Hop (Fall 2022)
October 14, 2022
Port Huron
Algonac State Park - Harvest Festival
October 14-16, 2022
Marine City
Waterloo Recreation Area - Sugarloaf Harvest Festival
October 14-16, 2022
Chelsea
Depot to Depot: Self Guided Fall Color Tour
October 7-31, 2022
Muskegon
Sunset Cruise
October 7-31, 2022
Manistee