Michigan parks, trails, & drives

FALL

Michigan parks, trails, & drives to see this fall

The view from U.S. Route 41 to Copper Harbor is gold.

Fall is the season where we see just how beautiful Michigan is, and the changing of the leaves gives us the colors we don’t get to see any other time of year. These spots in Michigan are perfect for pictures, hiking, and gawking at Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring beauty.

n Copper Harbor

Located along Lake Superior, Copper Harbor o ers nature trails and beautiful fall views of the lake and mountains.

n Tahquamenon Falls

State Park

41382 W. M-123, Paradise; 906-492-3415 Tahquamenon Falls is made up of not one, but two waterfalls along the Tahquamenon River. The park is over 50,000 acres, giving visitors and hikers a lot to explore and look at.

n Rosy Mound Natural Area

13925 Lakeshore Ave., Grand Haven Rosy Mound Natural Area is a dune system in Ottawa county. The area features a 0.7-mile nature trail that includes not only colorful fall tree views, but scenic views of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

n Sault Ste. Marie

The odds of you pronouncing Sault Ste. Marie incorrectly is incredibly high if you’re not from here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all that this upper peninsula has to o er.

n Barton Nature Area

1010 W. Huron Dr, Ann Arbor; 734-794-6230 There are places for picnics, trails for hiking, and trees for admiring at Barton Nature Area in Ann Arbor. The 98-acre park is located on the Huron River and o ers scenic views of its land.

n Middleville

This small Grand Rapids suburb, located in the Thornapple River Valley, is home to numerous trails and parks that are the perfect destination for a fall road trip.

n Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes might be popular for ATV riding in the summer, but a hike along the trails in fall o er beautiful views of the changing season.

n Traverse City

If Michigan had a version of the Hamptons, it would probably be Traverse City. While we might enjoy it in the summer (and occasionally get wine drunk there), Traverse City also has beautiful views of mountains and trees making it ideal for fall colors.

n Seven Lakes State Park

Holly While Seven Lakes State Park may have 230-acres of water in the area, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking other scenic views. The state park o ers camping, hiking, and, of course, views of the forest.

n University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum

1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor; 734-647-7600 In the spring, you can enjoy the full bloom of peonies that the Nichols Arboretum (aka The Arb) has to o er. But in the fall, you can catch some cool colors while hiking through the park.

n Porcupine Mountains

Wilderness State Park

Ontonagon Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the largest state park in Michigan. There’s nothing sticky about Porcupine Mountains, though: the views and trails are lovely.

n Dead River

Marquette County Don’t judge this place by its name — Dead River is very much alive. Hike the trails of Marquette while enjoying the colors of fall.

n Omena

Omena is located on the western side of Grand Traverse Bay, and just like much of Up North, the small town o ers delicious food as well as views of lush foliage.

n Hines Park

Dearborn Hines Park might be known for its light display in the winter, but the trees and trails in the fall give a natural color show.

n Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Kalamazoo is a gem of Michigan, containing multiple lakes, parks, and nature preserves that are great for exploring as the weather cools down. The River Valley Trail is a 22-mile paved path, and it’s the perfect spot to take in fall colors from a bike.

n Mackinac Island and Straits

While many think of Mackinac Island as a summer destination, the island transforms into a bounty of reds, oranges, and yellows in the autumn as the leaves begin to change.

n Ray Township

Ray Township in Macomb County o ers unparalleled views of fall greenery at Wolcott Mill Metropark. This multi-use area has a public farm, gardens, wooded trails, and even horse-drawn wagon rides through the crop fields.

n Grandville

Head over to a park in this Grand Rapids suburb for breath-taking fall colors and sparkling ponds.

n Belle Isle

Detroit Belle Isle might be Detroit’s go-to for summer family reunions and lazy beach days, but don’t sleep on it in the fall, either.