One of the most naturally beautiful Midwestern states, Michigan attracts people for its shorelines and lighthouses. People also visit Michigan for outdoor vacations that include camping, hiking, biking, swimming and boating as well as snowmobiling, skiing and other winter activities. For an awe-inspiring, eye-popping autumn experience, take one of the many different Michigan fall color tours.
The Grayling-Torch Lake-Lake City fall color tour begins in Grayling, a city named for the Grayling fish that used to populate local waters. From there, follow Interstate 75 south past North Higgins Lake State Park in Roscommon, South Higgins Lake State Park and Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground. Go west at M 55 and continue west on M 42, past Pere Marquette State Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest and Monroe Archers Farm Company Bed & Breakfast. Turn north on Interstate 113 in Manton, past Spring Lake Forest Campground. Continue north through Traverse City, past Travers Tall Ship Company, Grand Traverse Balloons and Traverse City State Park. You might want to take a slight detour at Grand Traverse Bay to see Old Mission Point Lighthouse. Continue north to Friske's Orchards in Ellsworth, then head back south through Bellaire, Williamsburg and Kalkaska, where you head east on Interstate 72 to return to Grayling. The vast national forests on this route will be ablaze with fall color from late September through October.
The Alpena-Gaylord-Mio fall color tour begins at Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena in northeastern Michigan. Head west on M 32 through Hillman, Atlanta and Vienna, past Pigeon River Country State Forest, through Gaylord, then turn south on Interstate 75 through Otsego State Park. Keep driving south to Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, then turn east on M 72 and follow that to Mio and Fairview. Jump on M 65 north to return to Alpena and complete this 200-mile tour of northeastern Michigan's fall colors.
The Iron River-Bruce Crossing-Watersmeet fall color tour passes many u-pick operations and fall festivals, adding another dimension to your trip. For a fall color tour in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, begin in Crystal Falls at Pentoga Park and Bewabic State Park, then go west on U.S. 2 to Caspian past the Iron County Historical Museum Complex and head toward Watersmeet. At Ottawa National Forest, find U.S. 45 and turn north toward the Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area. In Bruce Crossing, turn east on Route 28 toward Kenton and the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness. Turn south on U.S. 141 to head back to Crystal Falls and complete this 135-mile trek for fall color viewing.
