Spectacular Michigan hikes to enjoy this fall as the leaves change colors

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 6:11 pm

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 awesomeness.

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Billy Wilson/ Flickr Creative Commons

Sault Ste. Marie

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

Wenkan Zhu / Flickr Creative Commons

Copper Harbor

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

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Jim / Flickr Creative Commons

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.

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Barb Nystrom/ Flickr Creative Commons

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 offers scenic views of its land.

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neukomment / Flickr Creative Commons

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.

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Jim Sorbie / Flickr Creative Commons

Sleeping Bear

Empire

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

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Brook Ward / Flickr Creative Commons

Traverse City

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

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Barbara Gail Lewis / Flickr Creative Commons

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 offers camping, hiking, and of course views of the forest.

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Abhishek Chinchalkar/ Flickr Creative Commons

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 offer. But in the fall, you can catch some cool colors while hiking through the park.

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James Marvin Phelps/ Flickr Creative Commons

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, the views and trails are lovely.

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Ann Fisher/ Flickr Creative Commons

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.

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daBinsi/ Flickr Creative Commons

Omena

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

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Wigwam Jones / Flickr Creative Commons

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.
Note: The Dearborn entrance to the park on Ford Rd. is currently closed.

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Photo via Google Maps

Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Kalamazoo is a hidden 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.

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Photo via Google Maps

Pigeon River Country State Forest

Vanderbilt
Pigeon River is a huge tract of land packed with streams, lakes, and eight campgrounds. The park, which is located 20 miles north of Gaylord, is the perfect spot for a rugged weekend getaway.

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Pure Michigan / Facebook

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 as the leaves begin to change.

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Wigwam Jones / Flickr Creative Commons

Ray Township

Ray Township in Macomb County offers 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.

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Rachel Kramer / Flickr Creative Commons

Grandville

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

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Scott Smithson / Flickr Creative Commons

Belle Isle

Detroit

Belle Isle might be Detroit's go-to for summer family reunions and lazy beach days, but Belle Isle in the fall is not to be ignored.

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Maybury State Park / Facebook

Maybury State Park

49601 Eight Mile Rd., Northville; 248-349-8390; dnr.state.mi.us

Connect with nature at Maybury State Park by exploring the park's miles of trails spanning nearly 1,000 acres of gently rolling terrain, open meadow, and mature forest.

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