Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Fall is a season to be savored, whether in your own neighborhood or on the road.
There’s no better time to start planning a fall getaway than right now, and we’re starting in Michigan, where fall colors arrive a bit earlier than here in Ohio.
Jim DuFresne, author of numerous Michigan guidebooks and editorial director of MichiganTrailMaps.com, shares his thoughts on some of the best fall destinations in Michigan. The choices combine great scenery with opportunities for walking short trails – perfect for those who like to stroll and for those with families.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the upper Lower Peninsula is a wonderful destination any time of the year. Jim suggests starting with the Empire Bluff Trail, just 1.5 miles round trip.
“You go through a nice hardwood forest, which is pretty, but you come out to a killer view,” Jim said. “You’re literally on the edge of this high dune above Lake Michigan. And when you look out over Lake Michigan you can see the Manitou Islands.”
Dead Man’s Hill near Lake Charlevoix in the Jordan River State Forest has a great three-mile loop starting from Dead Man’s Hill and a view over the Jordan River Valley. One of Michigan’s best spots any time of year is nearby. The Jordan River Pathway is a gorgeous drive that intimately follows the Jordan River.
Some of the trails are surprisingly accessible, like this gem in Boyne City, on Lake Charlevoix. Jim says Avalanche Peak Park is unbelievable. Be forewarned the route to the top and the sweeping view is a 463-step staircase. The reward is a view that includes Lake Charlevoix all the way to Lake Michigan.
In the Upper Peninsula try Sugarloaf Recreation Trail located just north of Marquette. It’s a 1.2 mile round-trip that’s mostly a staircase all the way up.
“Sugarloaf is a rocky knob right on Lake Superior, so you get to see Lake Superior and all of Marquette, but then when you turn to the north and the west it’s miles of forest. On the horizon are the Huron Mountains, which is a rugged chain just to the north,” Jim said.
Other top spots in the UP include the Canyon Gorge Trail along the Sturgeon River off US 41 and the Black River Drive from the town of Bessemer to Black Harbor on Lake Superior. Near the end of the drive it goes past five waterfalls, and they’re all marked from the road.
One of the most scenic spots in the UP and arguably the most well-known is Tahquamenon Falls, which is actually two falls. Both are excellent in the fall. The Upper Falls is more dramatic, the Lower Falls is considered a more pleasant hike.
Michigan is loaded with scenic drives, but in the Lower Peninsula there are two that stand above the rest. First is the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway, a 22-mile scenic route along the AuSable River in the Huron National Forest.
“Along this road, you get great views and great colors, and there’s also a number of attractions,” Jim said. “Largo Springs with a 300-step descent via a stairway from a bluff, right down to the river. It’s really pretty down there.
“There are a number of observation areas along the road, but the big one is called Lumberman’s Monument. Observation areas overlook the river, which makes a big valley there.”
The very best could be the Tunnel of Trees along Lake Michigan north of Harbor Springs in the upper lower peninsula. It’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the Midwest. The heart of it is a 22-mile stretch from Harbor Springs to Cross Village. It’s important to note that there has been some weather-related damage to the roadway with the possibility of some delays and detours.
“It’s a narrow road that climbs and drops and curves its way through thick forest along the rugged coast,” Jim said. “It ends up in Cross Village and there you’ll find Legs Inn, which is a bizarre restaurant. It features a Polish menu and actually the food is pretty good, but you go for the bizarre atmosphere.” It’s truly unique and well worth a stop.
Before you go, check out Jim’s extensive information on Michigan destinations at MichiganTrailMaps.com.
