Looking for the best places to spot fall color in Northern Michigan? Northern Michigan has beautiful hiking trails and rolling hills, crystal clear lakes and adorable small towns. From small towns and scenic drives to National Parks, here are the seven best places in Northern Michigan for fall color:

Best Fall Hiking Destinations in Northern Michigan:

Northern Michigan is filled with beautiful places to spot fall color! In the Northern Lower Peninsula, color tends to peak mid-late October. In the Upper Peninsula, fall color may peak as early as mid-September! When fall color peaks depends weather trends and climate.

1) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

The eastern shore of Lake Michigan is home to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sleeping Bear Dunes has hiking trails and beaches all good for fall color, but the crown jewel of the park is the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

The Scenic Drive winds over portions of 400-ft sand dunes and through a beautiful hardwood forest.

The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is one of the prettiest roads in Michigan for fall color.

Sleeping Bear experiences “lake effect”. This means that the warmth from nearby Lake Michigan keeps the lake warmer than the surrounding area for a little longer. Due to lake effect, you might notice fall color in Sleeping Bear is slightly delayed compared to inland Michigan.

2) The Manistee River

The Manistee River winds through hills and hardwoods just south of Traverse City. A portion of the North Country Trail follows the Manistee River, making a great Northern Michigan hiking spot for fall color.

Looking for a water based adventure? Paddle the Manistee River in the fall instead. Be sure to dress appropriately for cold water paddling!

3) The North Country Trail

The North Country Trail National Scenic Trail runs from Vermont to North Dakota, and a large section of the trail runs through Northern Michigan. Whether you hike along the Manistee River near Traverse City, through lowland lakes, or up in the scenic Jordan River Valley, hiking the North Country Trail is one of the best ways to view fall color in Northern Michigan.

In general, hiking trails are a great place to start when looking for fall color. For detailed hiking and paddling guides for Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, Northern Wisconsin, and the Minnesota North Shore, check out Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes: A Trail and Paddling Guide.

4) Bellaire, Michigan

Just north of Traverse City and tucked between idyllic lakes and rivers is sleepy Northern Michigan town Bellaire. First and foremost, Bellaire is a #lakelife town. Between Lake Bellaire, the Intermediate River, and the nearby Torch Lake, Bellaire is a water-lover’s playground.

In Bellaire when you get tired of the water it’s time to hit the brewery. Bellaire is home to the iconic Short’s Brewery, my favorite brewery in Michigan. Not a beer person? No problem. Just across the street, Hello Vino offers wine, BeeWell Meadery offers mead, and Mammoth Distilling creates cocktails.

Bellaire is the perfect Northern Michigan town to spot fall colors. Take a float down the Intermediate River into Lake Bellaire, or tackle the nearby Grass River for wildlife viewing. Mountain bike the Glacial Hills Preserve, or stroll through the Grass River Natural Area.

5) Avalanche Mountain

Wondering where the best spot in Michigan for fall colors is without heading to the Upper Peninsula? Head up to Charlevoix, Michigan and detour to Avalanche Mountain. The Avalanche Preserve in Boyne City is both a hiking trail, mountain biking course, and an overlook of Lake Charlevoix from high above.

High up above Boyne City, Avalanche Mountain is a great place to view Northern Michigan fall color. After your hike or mountain bike, head out to Charlevoix for a cup of coffee and a walk out to Lake Michigan and the adorable red Charlevoix Lighthouse.

6) The Pictured Rocks

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is more often known for kayaking, but did you know the Pictured Rocks also has incredible hiking trails? Tackle the 10-13 miles Chapel Basin loop in the autumn for cliffside views of Lake Superior and the iconic Pictured Rocks.

Pictured below is Lover’s Leap, the most well-known arch in the Pictured Rocks, taken from the Chapel Basin Loop Trail. This trail is one of the only sections of trial in the Pictured Rocks where you can actually hike cliffside.

While the Pictured Rocks is almost definitely the best place in Michigan to view fall color, it’s also going to be the most popular. According an article in Bridge Michigan, the Pictured Rocks are seeing a now “near critical” level of tourism. Part of this is simply due to increased visitation, but the other part is those visitors not acting in the best interest of the park.

If you choose to visit the Pictured Rocks this year, practice ethical tourism by packing out your trash, staying on trail, and parking only in designated parking spots, and never on the side of the road.

7) Isle Royale National Park

Looking for an off the beaten path fall color destination in Northern Michigan? Hop on a ferry and hike the remote island national park that is Isle Royale. Isle Royale is in the heart of Lake Superior, 18 miles from the nearest shore. The island is home to delicate boreal forest, and a dynamic predator prey cycle between the wolves and moose of the island.

Isle Royale is easily one of the best places in Northern Michigan to view fall color, but the island can be difficult to reach. Book early and plan your trip months ahead if possible.

Planning a trip to Isle Royale? Here are the nitty gritty details you need to know!

A full moonrises over Chippewa Harbor on Isle Royale National Park.

Where will your next adventure be?

• Travel crystal clear waterways and learn the six best kayaking spots near Traverse City
• Discover the 15 best Great Lakes Travel Destinations, from harbor towns to outdoor adventures
• Check out the best hiking trails in the Sleeping Bear Dunes!

check out the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle for over 300+ pages of detailed adventure planning including hidden waterfalls, the best campsites, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and more covering Sleeping Bear to the end of the Gunflint Trail and everything in-between!

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