Looking to chase the colors this fall? From north to south, here’s the ultimate Great Lakes fall road trip for the most beautiful fall colors, scenic drives, and hiking trails!

The Best Great Lakes Road Trip for Fall Color

When chasing fall color in the Midwest there are a few important things to keep in mind. Different trees peak at different times. Near Lake Superior, you’ll notice that maples and hardwoods peak before the birch trees. Even at “peak color” you will never get every single tree at peak on every single hike. Trees near large bodies of water like Lake Superior or Lake Michigan will peak later than trees farther inland; this is important when planning your route. For example, the Sleeping Bear Dunes area will peak about a whole week later than the neighboring Manistee National Forest.

Fall color at Rose Lake Cliffs in Northern Minnesota.

This is the ideal route for a Great Lakes Fall road trip to view the most amount of fall color possible! I’ve lived in Northern Michigan, Northern Wisconsin, and now live in Northern Minnesota and have been lucky enough to visit some of the best fall color destinations in the Midwest. Here’s my dream Great Lakes fall color route and road trip I would recommend:

1) Lutsen Highlands, Minnesota

When chasing fall color, it makes sense to start in the north and work your way south. In the Midwest, it doesn’t get more north than Minnesota’s North Shore, the beautiful area around Lake Superior.

The best place to start off your fall color road trip is near Lutsen Highlands. Here, colors usually peak around the last week of September. The Lutsen Highlands have incredible hiking trails like the Superior Hiking Trail, Oberg Mountain, and White Sky Rock. Lutsen is also one of the only areas to catch fiery reds along the North Shore; much of the shore has birch trees which change yellow instead.

Fall color on Heartbreak Ridge near Tofte, Minnesota.

Whether you’re looking to cruise the backgrounds, ride the gondola above the ski hill, or hike high up above picturesque lakes, the Lutsen Highlands are the perfect place to begin your fall color road trip.

For more fall color inspiration and hiking trails on the North Shore, click here!

2) The Boundary Waters (BWCA)

After you wrap up in Lutsen, head north to the Boundary Waters. The birch trees in the BWCA will treat you to a sea of yellow, but the colors here come and go quickly in early October, so plan carefully!

Cruise the Gunflint Trail (a road not a literal trail) and keep your eyes peeled for moose, or tackle some of the short and beautiful hikes along the Gunflint Trail. If you’re looking for a challenge, head out to the Caribou Rock Trail and hike in to Rose Falls.

Fall color along Minnesota’s Border Route Trail.

Looking for one of the best fall views in Minnesota? Pictured above is Rose Lake Cliffs, a hike that will take you deep into the Boundary Waters. This is one of the hardest hikes in Minnesota and is nearly impossible to finish in just one day. For a full trail guide to Rose Lake Cliffs, click here.

3) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore & Bayfield

From Minnesota, it’s time to head south to the Bayfield Peninsula. While Bayfield and the Apostle Islands are best known as a kayaking destination, Bayfield also has several beautiful hiking trails for fall colors.

Fall at the Lakeshore Trail and Lost Creek Falls.

I recommend hiking the Lakeshore Trail (above left) followed by Lost Creek Falls (above right). The Lakeshore Trail is most dramatic during windy days, when you can watch waves crash up the cliffs and experience sea spray. Luckily, there are plenty of windy dramatic days in the fall!

After, head to Cornucopia and tackle the quick hike out to the scenic Lost Creek Falls. Lost Creek Falls is one of the only waterfalls in Wisconsin you can actually hike behind. While you’re back there, be sure to look up at the ceiling! You’ll be able to see ancient fossilized ripples in the ceiling, evidence of the braided stream landscape that lead to the areas unique geology.

Kayaking tours will be shut down for the season by the time the colors begin to pop in the Apostle Islands due to cold water temperatures and rough lake conditions. But not to worry! There are plenty of other great hiking trails for fall color in the Bayfield Peninsula.

Check out 30 Things to do in the Apostle Islands

4) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an essential stop on any Great Lakes fall color road trip. After Bayfield, cut across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and stop at any of the beautiful roadside waterfall parks along the way. Fall colors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula range in peak from early to mid October. Remember that different tree species peak at different times, so no matter when you go you’re unlikely to find every tree ablaze.

Hiking the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Similar to the Apostle Islands, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will not be open for kayaking by the time the colors peak. Instead, hit the trails! I recommend the easy walk to Munising Falls, the Grand Sable Dunes, and hiking around Beaver Basin out to Spray Falls.

Check out 30 Things to do in the Pictured Rocks!

5) Charlevoix, Michigan

By mid-October, it’s time to cross Mackinaw Bridge and head south. The northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan is one of the best places for fall colors in the Midwest! While the region around Lake Superior tends to see mostly yellow birch and just a few bright maple hardwoods, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula has a wider variety of colors.

Head to Charlevoix, Michigan for the cutest small town on the shore. Hike around Fisherman’s Island State Park, visit the picture perfect Charlevoix lighthouse, or head to Boyne City to hike the scenic Avalanche Mountain.

Views of Lake Charlevoix from above.

Avalanche Mountain, pictured above, is one of the best fall views in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula! At a short two miles round trip, or almost 500 steps straight up from the parking lot, Avalanche Mountain and the view of Boyne City below are reminiscent of a New England autumn.

Looking for a cozy, quiet basecamp in Northern Michigan for Fall Colors? Here’s a full adventure guide to the sleepy town of Bellaire, Michigan!

6) Traverse City, Michigan

In my opinion, Traverse City is one of the most romantic places to spend an autumn. With rolling hills and wineries, hiking trails and backroads, and access to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Traverse City is the perfect place to spend part of your autumn road trip.

Beautiful backroads near Traverse City.

To catch the colors in Traverse City, I recommend cruising the backroads, or any one of the many easy day hikes in the region. Near Traverse City, the North Country Trail runs along the high bluffs of the Manistee River, making for a scenic fall color hike.

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7) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

In the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, fall color peaks about a week later than the inland hikes of Michigan, making it the perfect place to wrap up your Great Lakes fall color road trip.

When I was in college, every fall I did a mini road trip to the park every fall and it never disappointed. I recommend hiking to Alligator Hill, driving the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, and visiting the historic Coast Guard building at Sleeping Bear Point.

Fall foliage from the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

One of the most popular hikes in Sleeping Bear in the fall is the Empire Bluffs Hike. While beautiful and one of the most iconic overlooks in the park, I would recommend skipping Empire Bluffs in the fall. The parking lot is small and the trailhead is likely to be extremely crowded. Many people chose to park on the side of the road, which damages plants and shoreline species and can be dangerous for others driving and walking on the small road.

If you have to hike the Empire Bluffs Trail, I recommend going in the early morning or late evening, before and after peak times.

For more Great Lakes adventure planning resources, check out the Midwest Adventure eBook Bundle, which covers hidden waterfalls, beautiful campsites, and off-the-beaten-path adventures from Sleeping Bear to the Isle Royale and everything inbetween!

Love planning your perfect fall Great Lakes Road Trip? Add to your route with these hiking guides!

• Find the five best places for fall color on the North Shore
• Check out seven spots for fall color in Northern Michigan
• Flesh out your perfect road trip with the best Great Lakes travel destinations

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