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The Best Places To See Fall Colors In The U.P.!

Autumn leaf floating on a calm Lake Superior

Fall foliage in the Upper Peninsula is down right spectacular and was recently voted #1 in the USA Today Best Places For Fall Foilage . People travel from all over the world to see the leaves change, and Michigan's U.P. has arguably the best foliage in the Midwest with bright orange, yellow and red leaves. In dramatic contrast against the blue turquoise waters of the worlds largest fresh water inland sea, Lake Superior, the images can be spectacular.
Upper Peninsula State Parks, scenic views, overlooks and Lake Superior shoreline provides wonderful settings for fall leaf viewing. Here we've put together some suggestions for the best locations near each of our stores regions for the best fall color viewing spots.

Houghton Area

Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain is a stunning 400 foot wide 143 foot tall black shear wall, situated in the remote woods of Baraga County, just north of the Sturgeon River Gorge (SRG) in the Ottawa National Forest. Some of the best rock climbing in the state is located on these sheer walls and for those inclined to tackle the routes are rewarded with incredible views of the colorful landscape. Not so sure about rock climbing? There is a casual hike to the summit where you can overlook Baraga, Houghton, and Ontonagon counties, as well as other parts of the Copper Country. Want to try rock climbing but don't know how? Check out our guide service at RockClimbMichigan.com

Mount Baldy

Mount Baldy is an isolated peak in Keweenaw County, near the town of Eagle Harbor. Harsh winds blowing across Lake Superior has shaped this bald with stunted, wind-contorted conifers at its highest elevation. Towering 730 feet above Lake Superior, on a clear day, the mountain offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Rock Climbing at Silver Mountain during peak Fall colors
Fall Colors on Mount Baldy in the Keweenaw Peninsula

Marquette Area

Hogback Mountain

Hogback Mountain is a prominate peak that rises just to the north of Marquette. The hike to the summit of Hogback offers one of the most spectacular views of the surrounding area. The summit is unique in that its summit is mostly devoid of vegetation offering a 360 degree view of the surronding area including the vast expanse of Lake Superior!

Wetmore Pond

At this site you can hike an short trail through old-growth forest and around rugged rock outcroppings to a pristine bog habitat at Wetmore Pond. The trail can be rough and uneven, but the viewing opportunities from the bog observation platform are well worth the effort. During the spring and fall migrations, ducks and geese congregate on the bog, providing excellent viewing opportunities with beautiful fall colors as a backdrop.

510 Iron Bridge Overlook

This old iron bridge which spans the Dead River is a beauty in itself but to take in the full force of the fall colors you will want to travel to the new bridge just to the west and take in this old bridge surrounded by the amazing fall colors. A historical note, this bridge was relocated from a crossing over the Alleghany River in Pennsylvania in 1919 and erected at this location over the Dead River in 1921 as part of highway M-35.

looking over Wetmore Pond in Marqeutte on a sunny fall day
Bright autumn foliage at the trestle bridge over the Dead River

Munising Area

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Miners Castle Overlook

An easy way to take in Lake Superior and fall colors is to take a drive to the Miners Castle overlook. Known for its incredible view looking down 200 feet below to the crashing waves of Lake Superior, the abundance of autumn colors makes this one of the best all round stops in the U.P.!

Tahquamenon Falls

A short walk to Tahquamenon's Upper Falls one will witness the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. It has a drop of nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. With unbelivable colors and sounds this is one of the most impressive displays of color in the U.P.!

Fall in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore