Discover the best West Michigan fall color tours. From Saugatuck’s river cruises to Holland’s trails, Cadillac’s overlooks, and Mackinac Island’s iconic bike rides, explore scenic drives, hikes, wineries, and seasonal getaways surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage.
Bay Pointe Inn - Shelbyville
- Gun Lake in autumn becomes a masterpiece of fiery reds, golden yellows, and amber reflections across the water. Guests at Bay Pointe Inn enjoy sweeping lakeside views from balconies or patios, creating a front-row seat to Michigan’s most colorful and serene season.
The Morris Estate - Niles
- Nestled along the St. Joseph River, The Morris Estate in Southwest Michigan offers a luxurious fall retreat. Wander 600 acres of wooded trails, enjoy elegant accommodations, and immerse yourself in a peaceful autumn escape surrounded by brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
Binder Park Zoo - Battle Creek
- Embrace the vibrant hues of Autumn at Binder Park Zoo. Celebrate every weekend in October with a burst of bonus seasonal activities complementing your zoo visit. Don't miss out on making the most of this enchanting season - the zoo is the BEST place to see the fall colors!
Michigan Maritime Museum - South Haven
- Cruise the Black River aboard the historic Lindy Lou at the Michigan Maritime Museum. This handcrafted Truscott Fantail replica, with mahogany and cherry finishes, offers passengers a scenic fall color tour through South Haven, blending riverfront beauty with rich maritime history.
- Kalamazoo shines in fall with diverse attractions. Explore Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s scenic lake trails and native birdlife, hike vibrant paths at Kalamazoo Nature Center with sweeping views, or visit the Gilmore Car Museum, a national treasure blending history and beauty.
- Experience a West Michigan fall color tour in Saugatuck/Douglas aboard the Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel boat, cruising the Kalamazoo River through October. Explore Saugatuck Dunes State Park trails, Oval Beach, and Mount Baldhead’s 303-step climb for breathtaking views of golden treetops, rolling dunes, and Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
- Southwest Michigan transforms in autumn with jewel-toned leaves reflecting in rivers, vineyards, and lakeshores. Stroll scenic trails, visit orchards for apples and pumpkins, or sip craft wines and ciders along the Makers Trail. From September through November, fall colors frame harvest festivals, historic lighthouses, and brilliant Lake Michigan sunsets.
- Greater Lansing offers unique ways to enjoy fall colors. Kayak the Grand River with River Town Adventures, bike the Lansing River Trail’s 20 scenic miles, or golf championship courses like Eagle Eye and Hawk Hollow. Each option provides a memorable autumn backdrop.
- Fall color tours in Ludington feature vibrant views of red, orange, and yellow across Lake Michigan and inland landscapes. Mid-October peak season is perfect for scenic drives, hiking, biking, or paddling. Ludington’s unspoiled nature ensures endless opportunities to soak in autumn’s beauty.
- Grand Haven shines in fall at Rosy Mound, Duncan Woods, and North Ottawa Dunes. From sweeping dune views and hardwood canopies to quiet maple-filled preserves, each location offers unique trails and breathtaking leaf-peeping opportunities along Lake Michigan’s golden shoreline. Perfect for hikers and families.
- Holland is a stunning base for fall adventures. Walk historic downtown streets, explore Lake Macatawa at Kollen Park, and hike Sanctuary Woods or Saugatuck Dunes. Finish at Holland State Park, where climbing Mt. Pisgah rewards you with sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Big Red.
- Take in the maroon & gold hues of Mt. Pleasant by foot or by water. With over 1,000 acres of parkland and 20 miles of trails, they have beautiful areas to witness the fall foliage. Walk around Central Michigan University’s campus, a park, or a conservancy preserve. Or take your kayak and look at the changing colors as you paddle down a river. If the weather is too cold for you, get in the car and turn the heat up as you drive through the ‘tunnel of trees.
- In Manistee County, fall color tours guide you through diverse landscapes—from riverside trails to forested hillsides and dune overlooks. Scenic drives like the River Road offer immersive leaf-peeping. Plan your trip to coincide with peak foliage for maximum brilliance across this West Michigan region.
Pine River Paddlesports Center - Wellston
- Discover fall on the Pine River with guided rafting trips from September 21–October 22 in Wellston. Safe and scenic, these one-hour tours allow you to relax with warm cider as leaves drift past. End with a riverside hike on the Silver Creek Pathway.
Crystal Mountain - Thompsonville
- Hop on a scenic chairlift ride at Crystal Mountain for an unforgettable experience. A must for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone seeking a bird's-eye view of the fall foliage. Visitors are invited to sit back and relax on a quiet chairlift ride to the top of the mountain where panoramic views, more than 1,000 feet above sea level, looking over four counties await.
Shanty Creek Resort - Bellaire
- Shanty Creek Resort, in Northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes, offers fall experiences from September 27–October 19. Ride chairlifts with panoramic views, golf award-winning courses amid autumn backdrops, or tour lakes by pontoon. With four villages and endless recreation, it’s a fall destination like no other.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery - Traverse City
- Take a Wine Wagon Tour & Tasting at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery during your fall color tour on the Old Mission Peninsula. Explore the 155-acre estate on a 7-passenger electric shuttle while enjoying wine samples, views of the vineyard, and beautiful fall colors along the way. Tours are held on Saturdays through October 12th, but options for private weekday or Sunday tours are available by request.
- The Petoskey Area boasts incredible fall color spots, including Avalanche Mountain Preserve, SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain Resort, and the famous Tunnel of Trees on Scenic M-119. From sweeping overlooks to bluffside drives along Lake Michigan, visitors are treated to some of Northern Michigan’s most iconic fall views.
- Cadillac’s fall colors shine mid-October with vibrant forests and lakeside trails. Drive the 18-mile In-Town Loop, bike the White Pine Trail, or paddle the Big Manistee River. Scenic overlooks like Sherman Hill and the Manistee River Suspension Bridge offer spectacular autumn views.
Black Star Farms - Suttons Bay
- At Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, immerse yourself in fall with guided vineyard tours, wine cave experiences, and estate wagon rides. Stroll past orchards and terraced vineyards aglow with autumn colors, then savor mulled wine, cider, and farm-to-table dining at Bistro Polaris.
Treetops Resort - Gaylord
- There is no better place to see fall colors than Treetops Resort. Tour their most scenic spots in a golf cart while you enjoy craft beers, wines, and seasonal dishes. End the evening with dinner at the top of the hill overlooking the Pigeon River Valley.
Bicycle Street Inn - Mackinac Island
- Bicycle Street Inn offers up to 25% off weekday stays this fall, with cozy lodging steps from shops and attractions. Guests enjoy Winchester’s Whiskey & Bourbon Room, a daily donut counter, and easy access to Mackinac Island’s breathtaking fall color tours.
Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island
- Celebrate fall at Mackinac Island’s iconic Grand Hotel with seasonal packages. Enjoy the “Chasing Fall” special with daily breakfast and museum access or “Welcome Fall Weekends” featuring stables tours, bike rentals, and autumn activities. Brilliant foliage frames every moment of your stay.
- Mackinac Island dazzles in autumn with brilliant reds, oranges, and golds along trails and lakeshore views. Favorite stops include Arch Rock, Fort Holmes, and a bike ride around M-185. Each offers unforgettable fall scenery framed by Lake Huron’s sparkling blue waters.
- Marquette County is one of Michigan’s best fall road trip destinations, where winding byways reveal colorful overlooks, peaceful lakes, and historic towns. Drive east to Munising’s shoreline views, west through Ishpeming and Negaunee, or north past Sugarloaf and Hogback Mountains for unforgettable Upper Peninsula scenery.
- Celebrate autumn at Drummond Island’s “Fall on the Island” festival, where fall color tours complement live music, artisan vendors, and local eats. Guests can stroll woodland trails, take scenic drives along rugged shorelines, and experience fall’s vibrant hues in a festive island atmosphere.
- Venture on a “Color Craze” fall day trip from St. Ignace, exploring scenic Upper Peninsula routes through forests, lakeshores, and quaint towns. These drives reveal spectacular autumn panoramas across Michigan’s Mackinac Straits region, perfect for leaf-peeping, photo stops, and immersive seasonal wonder.
- Explore fall colors across Michigan’s rugged Keweenaw Peninsula, where rivers, forests, and Lake Superior’s shoreline frame fiery foliage. From Quincy Mine trails to Brockway Mountain Drive, and into quaint Copper Country towns, this sweeping region delivers unforgettable autumn views and a frontier-era ambiance crafted by nature’s palette.
- Experience fall in Sault Ste. Marie on curated fall color tours through the region’s forests, rivers, and lakeshores. Traverse scenic trails, water routes, and historic sites as autumn hues unfurl across the landscape. These guided excursions showcase the natural beauty and heritage of the Great Lakes borderlands.
Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles & Campgrounds ( MARVAC)
- Explore Michigan’s autumn beauty with three scenic RV itineraries across the Upper Peninsula, Northwest, and Northeast Michigan. Brilliant foliage transforms lakeshores and forests into unforgettable landscapes, offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, colorful drives, and fall getaways throughout the Great Lakes State.
