13 Best Places to See Fall Color in Michigan Upper Peninsula and the Keweenaw Peninsula - Lovely Overlooks, Scenic Drives, Weekend Getaways to See Fall Foliage in Autumn
Article: 13 Best Places to See Fall Color in Michigan Upper Peninsula and the Keweenaw Peninsula - Lovely Overlooks, Scenic Drives, Weekend Getaways to See Fall Foliage in Autumn
13 Best Places to See Fall Color in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Keweenaw Peninsula
MAP of Where to See Fall Color in Michigan Upper Peninsula and Keweenaw Peninsula
1. Brockway Mountain Drive in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Lovely Fall Scenic Drive with Overlooks
Where: Brockway Mountain Dr, Mohawk, MI 49950
The views from the top of Brockway Mountain are spectacular! Brockway Mountain Drive is an 8.8-mile-long lovely scenic roadway located west of Copper Harbor. Chris and I have been there several times as his family lives in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The views from the top of the mountain overlooking the lush Keweenaw Peninsula and sparkling Lake Superior are just magical any time of year, especially during the fall.
And the best part?
No hiking necessary! You can just drive the winding paved roadway to the top!
2. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Where: 33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953
The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers visitors over 60,000 acres of scenic woodland areas, jaw-dropping waterfalls, sparkling Lake Superior shoreline, gurgling rivers, and miles of hiking trails.
Fall is the perfect time to visit Michigan’s largest state park located in the Upper Peninsula! Be sure to visit the Porcupines Mountains Visitor Center for exhibits, gift shop, hiking trail conditions and lots of information.
3. St. Ignace Overlook
Ah, St. Ignace in the fall. It's a glorious thing, indeed.
Chris and I will share our secret:
If you want incredible fall views, pay the small fee and walk to the top of Castle Rock. From there, you can see the ferries going to and from Mackinac Island and of course, lovely views of Lake Huron and the surrounding forests.
Oh, and be sure to ride your bike or drive to the nearby Straits State Park. The views are breathtaking! We personally haven't been there in the fall but from our photo below (taken in the summer,) you can use you imagination of how fantastic it is with the autumn colors!
4. Seney National Wildlife Refuge: Scenic Drive
Where: 1986 River Rd, Germfask, MI 49836
The Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is an absolutely lovely scenic drive. In fact, I always get Chris to drive us through there on our way to Munising or Pictured Rocks Lakeshore.
There are several lookouts, bridges and scenic overlooks. You can see how curvy the drive is on the map above. The drive is free.
5. Cut River Bridge on U.S. Route 2 in Naubinway Michigan
Where: Lake Michigan Scenic Hwy, Naubinway, MI 49762
The Cut River Bridge is located on U.S. Route 2 along the sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline in Naubinway, Michigan. There is a picnic area to enjoy your lunch, vault toilets and a path that takes you under the bridge...very cool photo opportunities! I love wandering along the path under the bridge, you need to check it out!
U.S. Route 2 in itself is very scenic, we always take time to pull off and enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline along the way.
Then, if you are up to it, take the very long flight of metal stairs down to the ground level to walk the dirt trails along the scenic river that opens into Lake Michigan. I LOVE this riverwalk as it is so peaceful and pretty.
5. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Grab our guide to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! There's so much to see and do!
6. Munising's Waterfalls are Breathtaking in the Fall
Munising is my personal favorite town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you want to get on the water, you can catch the wild Rip Tide Ride (fast power boat ride) or the Pictured Rocks Cruise tours (slow color tour) to see incredible Michigan fall color. Chris and I have done both!
We've visited Munising several times as there are SO MANY MUNISING WATERFALLS to enjoy! Munising Falls is probably my favorite.
7. Scenic Fall Road Trip: Drive From Tahquamenon Falls State Park to Paradise to White Fish Point!
Where: Tahquamenon Falls State Park, 41382 W M-123, Paradise, MI 49768
Tahquamenon Falls in the fall is gorgeous. Just try to be there on a sunny day so the trees light up with color! Be sure to visit both the Upper and Lower Falls as they offer vastly different experiences.
Chris and I always enjoy lunch at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and then we walk over to the Camp 33 Gift Shop only a few feet from the brewery to pick up a couple fun souvenirs.
8. Explore Whitefish Point!
Where: Whitefish Point, MI 49768
Then, continue east on scenic M-123, enjoying all the fall colors along the way to Paradise and then north up to Whitefish Point and learn more about the famous wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
Plan to spend a couple hours there touring the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point Lighthouse, and the beautiful nearby beach for great rock hunting. I always bring a canvas bag to bring home a few treasures!
9. Visit Kitch-iti-kipi In the Fall!
The Big Spring, known as Kitch iti kipi, is located in Palms Book State Park in Manistique. Did you know this spring is Michigan's Largest Freshwater Spring?
The area was developed in the late 1920s with the help of Mr. John Bellaire and is a spectacular place to visit in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
While there...
Be sure to take a fun free ride on an observation raft across the lovely lake. Along the way, peer down into the crystal clear waters to see the huge fish that manage to live in the icy 45 degrees Fahrenheit water.
10. Visit Beautiful Manistique Michigan!
After enjoying some time at Kitch iti kipi, you might as well check out the gorgeous pier and walking paths in Manistique.
Plus, the Colwell Lake Pathway is a 2 mile long loop trail that follows along the edge of Colwell Lake. It is surfaced to be fully accessible. This trail is really beautiful in the fall. Such fantastic views of the lake, trees and wildlife! You can access the trail either from the Colwell Lake Campground or from a trailhead located on M-94 approximately 30 miles north of Manistique or 9.8 miles south of Shingleton.
11. Visit Houghton Michigan in the Fall!
Chris grew up in Houghton Michigan so he loves when this hilly area is ablaze with vibrant color. The Houghton Lift Bridge (just to the left of where this photo was taken) connects Houghton Michigan with Hancock.
Grab our Houghton Michigan guide for lots more information!
12. Take a Chair Lift Ride at Mt. Bohemia!
Ride the chairlift to the top of Mount Bohemia for one of the most dramatic views in the Upper Peninsula!
Chairlift Schedule for 2024:
July thru October 13th* - Wednesday through Sunday 12pm to 6pm
NOTE: *Closed from Sept 2 till Sept 19th. Check their website for details!
13. Visit Robert Robert McQuisten Recreation Area
Where: Park in Alger County, Michigan
We discovered Robert McQuisten Recreation Area while renting a Vrbo near Munising. This park has wonderful boardwalks, scenic views, waterways and tons of photo opportunities.
Michigan Fall Color Predictions for the Upper and Lower Peninsula
Wondering when is the best time to see Michigan's Fall Colors?
More Fall Color Tour Guides!
- Fall Colors in Michigan - COLOR TOUR-13 EPIC PLACES with map
- Epic Michigan Fall Color Tour - COLOR TOUR - 9 AWESOME PLACES with a map
- Michigan in Fall - COLOR TOUR - 10 EPIC PLACES with map
- Tunnel of Trees - SCENIC DRIVE
- Fall Train Rides are another option to see the lovely fall color!!
- Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - Let me say, visiting Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore this autumn should be on your Michigan Bucket List FOR SURE. Sleeping Bear Dunes has so many glorious hiking trails (like Empire Bluff and Pyramid) with grand vistas of Lake Michigan.
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - Nearby Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive should also be on your Michigan Bucket List to see the fall colors. Tip: Before going to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, it's best to check this page or call the nearest Chamber of Commerce to see when the colors are changing. This area can remain green well after Petoskey is in full color.
BONUS: Michigan in the Fall: 6 Incredible Color Drives to Enjoy Beautiful Michigan in Autumn (Michigan Fall Bucket List!)
16 Best Places to See Fall Color in Northern Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
- Check out our Michigan Fall Color page for lots of great fall color spots in Michigan's northern lower peninsula!
Pin This Where to See Fall Color in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Keweenaw Pensula!
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